Abu Bakr Boys School

School emergency inspection report Abu Bakr Boys School 27 September 2016 Kent Street, Walsall, West Midlands, WS2 7AN

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraphs 2(1), 2(1)(a), 2(1)(b), 2(1)(b)(i), 2(1)(b)(ii)  The school has a written curriculum policy in place, which is supported by a range of plans and schemes of work across the curriculum. However, where the school is using published schemes, there is insufficient evidence that these have been adapted to meet the needs of pupils in this school.  The school’s schemes of work do take into account the ages, aptitudes and needs of all pupils, including those who have special needs and/or disabilities. The plans and policies do not undermine the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.  Overall, the school continues to meet these standards.

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Main inspection findings

Paragraph 2(2)(d)(i)  The school’s personal, social, health, and economic education plans do reflect the school’s aims and ethos to ‘ensure a well-ordered atmosphere where the focus of all activities is on the quality of learning and teaching in a strong Islamic environment.’ In addition to school-based lessons, pupils take part in a range of educational visits, such as going to the theatre and science trips. Pupils also play other schools in a range of competitive sports such as basketball, football and athletics.  As a result, this standard continues to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Paragraphs 2(2)(d)(i), 2(2)(d)(ii), 2(2)(e), 2(2)(e)(i), 2(2)(e)(ii), 2(2)(e)(iii), 2(2)(i)  Evidence gathered from discussions with groups of pupils and checking the school’s policies demonstrates that the school does not actively encourage respect for other people, particularly when giving due regard to the protected characteristics set out in the 2010 Equality Act. The pupils spoken to by inspectors have very little knowledge of the protected characteristics. Inspectors found very little evidence that the school has incorporated respect for other people into plans and policies.  Pupils have limited access to up-to-date careers guidance. Most advice appears to be provided by school staff and there was no evidence of impartial careers guidance. Consequently, pupils are unlikely to make informed choices about their career options or the next stages of their education to help them fulfil their potential.

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Main inspection findings

 Evidence suggests that pupils make progress at this school. However, the lack of encouragement of respect for others and lack of impartial careers advice means that pupils are not effectively prepared for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of life in British society.  As a result of these limitations, these standards are not met. Paragraphs 3, 3(i), 3(j)  The school’s teaching, plans and policies do not undermine the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.  Teaching does not discriminate against pupils contrary to the 2010 Equality Act. However, leaders have not ensured that the school’s plans and policies include learning about groups with protected characteristics, for example.  Overall, the school continues to meet these standards.

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Main inspection findings

Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils Paragraphs 5, 5(a), 5(b), 5(b)(iii), 5(b)(iv), 5(b)(vi)  Inspectors spoke to a number of pupils during the day about the education provided and the spiritual, moral, social and cultural education at the school. For example, inspectors asked about careers advice, friendship groups and attitudes towards religion and groups within religions. Pupils told inspectors that the culture of the school was one of accepting differences and treating everyone equally.  Inspectors found published sectarian material in a store room in the school which caused them concern. The headteacher explained that the material was there because he was in the process of sorting through books and literature donated to the school. He said he became aware of the material at issue the day before the inspection and had planned to dispose of it.  Inspectors did not find evidence that the sectarian material had influenced teaching

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Main inspection findings

and learning in the school. However, material of this kind has no place in schools and leaders had not ensured that any such literature had been prevented from entering the school and being accessible in a store room.  Leaders are not actively promoting the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs. This is due to a lack of teaching about respect for others, an absence of pupils’ knowledge of the protected characteristics and the existence of sectarian material in the school.  The school’s curriculum and careers advice does not encourage pupils to understand how they can contribute positively to the lives of those living in the locality in which the school is situated and to society more widely. In addition, the limitations of the curriculum do not enable pupils to acquire a broad general knowledge of, and

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Main inspection findings

respect for, public institutions and services in England. Nor does the curriculum encourage respect for other people, paying particular regard to the protected characteristics set out in the 2010 Act.  As a result, these standards are not met.

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Main inspection findings

Paragraphs 5(b)(i), 5(b)(ii), 5(b)(v), 5(b)(vii), 5(c), 5(d), 5(d)(i), 5(d)(ii), 5(d)(iii)  Inspectors found evidence that the school’s spiritual, moral, social and cultural curriculum does help pupils to develop their self-knowledge and they are able to distinguish between right and wrong. For example, pupils explained the school’s behaviour system to inspectors and said that there are few problems in school.  The school’s teaching of religious and personal, social, health and economic education encourages tolerance and harmony between different cultural traditions by enabling pupils to learn about both their own and other cultures.  Pupils have respect for democracy through the annual election of school councillors and prefects. Pupil say that they can take concerns to the school council and they will be listened to.  Inspectors did find sectarian published material in the school but did not find

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Main inspection findings

evidence that partisan political views are promoted through teaching or extra- curricular visits.  As a result, these standards continue to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7, 7(a), 7(b)  Safeguarding practices are inadequate. For example, the school’s recruitment practices are inadequate, as they do not routinely follow up gaps in employment for prospective candidates. Some staff files are well organised, but others have missing paperwork.  The school has recently updated its safeguarding policy. However, the policy does not meet requirements as it does not state the steps staff should take if they have safeguarding concerns about the headteacher.  Leaders have not ensured that arrangements are in place to meet the requirements of guidance issued by the Secretary of State. For example, evidence shows that the school does not act rapidly to the local authority’s requests for information about pupils who have left the school.  The school’s single central record was complete and met statutory requirements by the end of the inspection.

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Main inspection findings

 Pupils say they that feel safe and are aware of how to keep themselves safe on the internet for example. However, when inspectors arrived they were able to walk into the school unchallenged and no one asked to see proof of their identity.  As a result of the weaknesses above, safeguarding is not effective and these standards are not met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors  Not applicable for this inspection.

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Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 22, 23(1), 23(1)(a), 28(1), 28(1)(a), 28(2)(b)  Inspectors were not asked to investigate this aspect of the school, but could not avoid noticing the very poor condition and smell of the toilets inside the main entrance to the school. When asked about this, leaders said that work was planned on these toilets. Leaders also said that these toilets are not used but could not explain why they have not been closed off until improvement works have taken place.  This standard is not met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 6. Provision of information  Not applicable for this inspection. Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled  Not applicable for this inspection.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b), 34(1)(c)  A number of the independent school standards are not met, as a result of weaknesses in leadership and management.  Leaders have not ensured that the school’s safeguarding arrangements are effective and that sectarian material is not in the school. Leaders have not ensured that the school’s curriculum encourages respect for others, such as those groups with protected characteristics. Pupils do not have a broad general knowledge of public institutions and services in England. Pupils are not provided with impartial careers advice to help them make informed choices about the stages of their education and/or employment. Aspects of the school’s premises and accommodation need urgent improvement to improve pupils’ welfare.  As a result of a number of significant weaknesses in teaching, safeguarding and

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Main inspection findings

pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development, none of the leadership and management standards are met.

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Main inspection findings

Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  Not applicable for this inspection.

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Main inspection findings

Statutory requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage  Not applicable for this inspection. The school does not meet the requirements of the schedule to The Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014 (‘the independent school standards’) and associated requirements that were checked during this inspection. Not all of the standards and associated requirements were checked during this inspection.

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The school does not meet the following independent school standards

 The proprietor must ensure that the written policy on the curriculum encourages respect for other people, paying particular regard to the protected characteristics set out in the 2010 Equality Act. He must ensure that for pupils receiving secondary education, they have access to accurate, up-to-date careers guidance that is presented in an impartial manner (paragraphs 2(1), 2(2)(d)(ii), 2(2)(e), 2(2)(e)(i)).  The proprietor must ensure that the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils at the school actively promotes the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.  The proprietor must ensure that principles are promoted that actively encourage pupils to understand how they can contribute positively to the lives of those living and working in the locality in which the school is situated and to society more widely.

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The school does not meet the following independent school standards

Also, the proprietor must enable pupils to acquire a broad general knowledge of, and respect for, public institutions and services in England and encourage respect for other people, paying particular regard to the protected characteristics set out in the 2010 Equality Act (paragraphs 5, 5(a), 5(b), 5(b)(iii), 5(b)(iv), 5(b)(vi)).  The proprietor must ensure that arrangements are made to safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils at the school; and that such arrangements have regard to any guidance issued by the Secretary of State (paragraph 7, 7(a), 7(b)).  The proprietor must ensure that persons with leadership and management responsibilities at the school demonstrate good skills and knowledge appropriate to their role, and fulfil their responsibilities effectively so that the independent school standards are met consistently. Leaders must actively promote the well-being of pupils (paragraphs 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b), 34(1)(c)).

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School details

Unique reference number 135483 DfE registration number 335/6013 Inspection number 10022736 This inspection was carried out under section 109(1) and (2) of the Education and Skills Act 2008, the purpose of which is to advise the Secretary of State for Education about the school’s suitability for continued registration as an independent school. Type of school Secondary Islamic day school School status Independent school Age range of pupils 11 to 16 Gender of pupils Boys Number of pupils on the school roll 213 Number of part-time pupils 0 Proprietor Mohammad Luqman Chair Mohammad Luqman Headteacher Mohammed Ramzan Annual fees (day pupils) £1,700 Telephone number 01922 724149 Website none Email address info@abubakrboysschool.org Date of previous standard inspection 4–6 November 2014

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Information about this school

 Abu Bakr Boys School is an Islamic day school located in Walsall.  The school is registered to admit up to 300 boys in the age range 11 to 16 years; there are currently 213 pupils on roll.  No student has a statement of special educational needs and no pupils are eligible for pupil premium funding.  The headteacher is also the co-headteacher of Abu Bakr Girls School and the registered person for Abu Bakr Nursery in Walsall.  The school aims to ‘ensure a well-ordered atmosphere where the focus of all activities is on the quality of learning and teaching in a strong Islamic environment’.  The proprietor is also the chair of the governing board.

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Information about this inspection

 This was an emergency inspection which was undertaken at the request of the registration authority for independent schools. This inspection ran concurrently with inspections of the other schools in the Abu Bakr Trust, including the girls’ school, primary school and nursery. This inspection was carried out at no notice.  Inspectors had discussions with the headteacher, proprietor and the school’s office staff. Inspectors also met with several groups of pupils and visited all classrooms.  There were no responses to Ofsted’s online questionnaire, Parent View.  In order to check the school’s compliance with the independent school standards which were not met at the previous inspection, inspectors examined policies, records and other documents. These included verifying the checks recorded on the school’s single register of the suitability of adults to work with children.

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Inspection team

Stuart Bellworthy, lead inspector Philippa Darley Her Majesty's Inspector Her Majesty’s Inspector guidance ‘Raising concerns and making a complaint about Ofsted’, which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.gov.uk/government/publications/complaints-about-ofsted . If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

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Inspection team

Parent View You can use Parent View to give Ofsted your opinion on your child’s school. Ofsted will use the information parents and carers provide when deciding which schools to inspect and when and as part of the inspection. You can also use Parent View to find out what other parents and carers think about schools in England. You can visit www.parentview.ofsted.gov.uk , or look for the link on the main Ofsted website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted .

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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