Madani Secondary Girls' School

School report Madani Secondary Girls School Myrdle Street, London, E1 1HL

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Reason for inspection

The main purpose of this inspection visit was to advise the Department for Education whether the school meets the independent school standards with regard to the uniform policy.

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Conclusions

During this inspection, HMI observed students arriving at school, spoke to students and staff about the school’s uniform policy and read all relevant documentation, including the recent statement about uniform on the school’s website. HMI also spoke to senior leaders, including the principal and assistant headteacher.

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Conclusions

None of the students arriving at the school was wearing the veil (face covering). All wore a black head scarf and long black dress referred to by the school as the Jilbab. HMI spoke to students at random as they waited for assembly to start. None were wearing the veil. All said they are not required to wear the veil. It is their choice and a very few in each class do so if there are male visitors in the school. One student explained, ‘I choose to wear the veil as a sign of modesty.’

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Conclusions

One member of staff told HMI that she had been a student at the school and up until about 2008, the veil was compulsory. At this time, there was a review of the uniform policy and the Trustees agreed that the veil would be made optional. Students in Year 11, who have attended the school since Year 7, say they have never been required to wear the veil.

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Conclusions

The assistant headteacher explained that following the recent comments in the press, the school is making sure that all documentation describes the school uniform as clearly as possible. For example, the new brochure for parents has a photograph of the outdoor and indoor uniform which illustrates the style of headscarf with no veil attached.

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Conclusions

The principal confirmed that the veil is not compulsory and noted that a few students choose to wear this. He is keen to make sure there is no further confusion about the school uniform policy. There were no parents available to speak to about the school uniform policy.

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Conclusions

In respect of this inspection visit regarding the school uniform policy, the regulatory requirements for independent schools are all met. Emergency inspection: Madani Secondary Girls School, 4 October 2013 2 of 4

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Inspection team

Julie Winyard HMI, Lead inspector Her Majesty’s Inspector

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Information about this school

 Madani Secondary Girls’ School is an Islamic day school and is part of the Madani School Trust. This Trust oversees the school and many other community activities including madrasa (religious classes) in the evenings and at weekends. The school opened in 1991 and moved to its present premises in 2001. Most students are of Bangladeshi cultural heritage, with some from Somali and Arab backgrounds.  The school’s aims include ‘to provide caring, safe and secure teaching and learning’, ‘ensure pupils receive a broad and balanced education in accordance with the National Curriculum in an environment that supports spiritual growth’ and ‘nurture spiritual growth within each child which will lead them to be balanced, God conscious and upright citizens’. Emergency inspection: Madani Secondary Girls School, 4 October 2013 3 of 4

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School details

Unique reference number 100982 Inspection number 430310 DfE registration number 211/6383 This inspection was conducted at the request of the registration authority for independent schools. It was carried out under section 162A of the Education Act 2002, as amended by schedule 8 of the Education Act 2005. Type of school Day school School status Independent School Age range of pupils 11–18 Gender of pupils Girls Number of pupils on the school roll 248 Number of part time pupils 6 Proprietor Madani Trust Chair Habibur Rahman Headteacher Muhmmad Saleem Nawab Date of previous school inspection 11 September 2013 Annual fees (day pupils) £2250 Telephone number 0207 3771992 Fax number 0207 3771992 Email address Madinischool.org.uk Emergency inspection: Madani Secondary Girls School, 4 October 2013 4 of 4

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School details

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School details

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School details

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School details

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School details

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School details

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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