M A Girls School

M A Girls School 162 Lumb Lane, Bradford BD8 7RZ

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraph 2(1), 2(1)a, 2(1)(b), 2(1)(b)(i), 2(1)(b)(ii), 2(2), 2(2)(a), 2(2)(d), 2(2)(d)(i), 2(2)(d)(ii), 2(2)(h), 2(2)(i)  The proprietor did not provide a written policy on the curriculum or any plans and schemes of work.  The proprietor’s description of the curriculum was a limited explanation that Year 11 pupils are revising for GCSE examinations. He did not provide any further documented evidence of pupils’ timetables or curriculum coverage. Information from one of the school’s teachers indicates that teaching focuses upon preparing Year 11 pupils for GCSE examinations in English, mathematics, science, humanities, computing and Urdu. Consequently, the curriculum is not sufficiently broad because there are no opportunities for pupils to experience personal, social, health and economic education, physical and, aesthetic and creative education. Therefore, these standards are not

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Main inspection findings

met. Paragraph 2(2)(e), 2(2)(e)(i), 2(2)(e)(ii), 2(2)(e)(iii)  The proprietor has not addressed the lack of access to up-to-date careers guidance identified in the previous inspection report. Therefore, these standards are not met. Paragraph 3, 3(a), 3(b), 3(c), 3(d), 3(e), 3(f), 3(g), 3(h), 3(i), 3(j)  During the inspection, leaders were not able to show the inspector any evidence that pupils’ progress is tracked or measured. There were no pupils’ books available in classrooms and the pupils were not in attendance on the day of the inspection. It is not possible to determine if the current Year 11 pupils are receiving teaching which enables them to acquire knowledge and make good progress. Therefore, these standards are not met. Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils Paragraph 5, 5(a), 5(b), 5(b)(i), 5(b)(ii), 5(b)(iii), 5(b)(iv), 5(b)(v), 5(b)(vi), 5(b)(vii), 5(c), 5(d), 5(d)(i), 5(d)(ii), 5(d)(iii)

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Main inspection findings

 As there were no pupils in school during the inspection, it was not possible to determine the quality of the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of the pupils. The proprietor declined to offer the inspector any documents or other evidence to demonstrate the school’s work in promoting pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. The lack of pupils’ work and the largely neglected classroom displays failed to offer any evidence to suggest that this aspect is being tackled at all. Therefore, these standards are not met. Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7, 7(a), 7(b)  The inspector requested the single central record but the proprietor, who was not in school at the time of the inspection, was unable to locate this document. It was not possible to evaluate the quality of the single central record and to confirm that the relevant safeguarding checks had been completed for all staff and members of the

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Main inspection findings

proprietor body. Review of a sample of employment files indicated the proprietor had completed a range of safeguarding training. However, it was not possible for the inspector to establish whether employment checks on all staff are undertaken with sufficient rigour. A suitable safeguarding policy was not available for either the inspection or for parents. The proprietor did not provide evidence of an effective safeguarding culture within the school or how he is engaging with parents, carers and other stakeholders. Therefore, these standards are not met. Paragraphs 11, 12, 13  The proprietor was not in school at the time of the inspection and key health and safety documents were not available. The inspector was unable to evaluate the school’s health and safety policy, any documentation related to the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, or that relating to the effective implementation of a written

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Main inspection findings

first aid policy. Therefore, these standards are not met. Paragraph 14  There were no pupils in school on the day of the inspection so it was not possible to determine that pupils are appropriately supervised. Therefore, these standards are not met. Paragraph 15  The admission register was not available at the time of the inspection. The proprietor provided a list of pupils, which identified that eleven Year 11 pupils remain at the school. The list indicated the destinations of the Year 7 to Year 10 pupils who have recently left the school, although the dates of leaving were not available. Bradford local authority admissions team were able to confirm that the majority of these pupils were in either a local authority school or currently applying for a school place. The school’s records indicated a small minority of pupils had moved to other independent schools and two Year 11 pupils were receiving private tuition. The attendance register

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Main inspection findings

is maintained for the current Year 11 pupils and pupils from other year groups have been removed. This standard is not met as it is not possible to determine the school’s maintenance of an accurate admission register. Paragraph 16, 16(a), 16(b)  No written risk assessment policy or identified actions to reduce risks were available at the time of the inspection. These standards are not met. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 18(2), 18(2)(a), 18(2)(b), 18(2)(c), 18(2)(c)(i), 18(2)(c)(ii), 18(2)(c)(iii), 18(2)(c)(iv), 18(2)(d), 18(2)(e), 18(3), 19(2), 19(2)(a), 19(2)(a)(i), 19(2)(a)(i)(aa), 19(2)(a)(i)(bb), 19(2)(a)(i)(cc), 19(2)(a)(ii), 19(2)(b), 19(2)(c), 19(2)(d), 19(2)(d)(i), 19(2)(d)(ii), 19(2)(e), 19(3), 20(6), 20(6)(a), 20(6)(a)(i), 20(6)(a)(ii), 20(6)(b), 20(6)(b)(i), 20(6)(b)(ii), 20(6)(b)(iii), 20(6)(c), 21(1), 21(2), 21(3), 21(3)(a), 21(3)(a)(i), 21(3)(a)(ii), 21(3)(a)(iii), 21(3)(a)(iv), 21(3)(a)(v), 21(3)(a)(vi), 21(3)(a)(vii),

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Main inspection findings

21(3)(a)(viii), 21(3)(b), 21(4), 21(5), 21(5)(a), 21(5)(a)(i), 21(5)(a)(ii), 21(5)(b), 21(5)(c), 21(6), 21(7), 21(7)(a), 21(7)(b)  The single central record was not available at the time of the inspection. The inspector considered the limited samples of employment files available. These demonstrated that some staff had completed relevant safeguarding checks and that the proprietor had completed relevant safeguarding training. Therefore, these standards are not met. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 23(1), 23(1)(a), 23(1)(b), 23(1)(c), 24(1), 24(1)(a), 24(1)(b), 24(2), 25, 26, 27, 27(a), 27(b), 28(1), 28(1)(a), 28(1)(b), 28(1)(c), 28(1)(d), 28(2), 28(2)(a), 28(2)(b), 29(1), 29(1)(a), 29(1)(b)  The lower floor of school building has been refurbished for the use of the Arabeeya Nursery. The M A Girls School is now in a limited area of the upstairs section of the building. There is no accommodation for the short-term care of sick or injured pupils.

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Main inspection findings

Toilet facilities are available but there are no showers or suitable changing accommodation. There was no evidence that suitable drinking water facilities are provided. Classrooms have suitable lighting and acoustic conditions. However, the overall quality of the classrooms has become neglected as the numbers on roll have fallen. These standards are not met. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b), 34(1)(c), 34(2)  The proprietor was not available at the school site during the inspection. However, he did communicate with the inspector by telephone. This helped provide some limited information. However, he was unable to provide key safeguarding information including the single central record and the admissions register. Some of the information provided proved to be inaccurate including the numbers of Year 11 pupils on roll and the amount of time that these pupils attended school. The proprietor

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Main inspection findings

stated that the school was closing but acknowledged that he had not informed the appropriate authority at the Department for Education. These standards are not met.

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Compliance with regulatory requirements

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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Part 1. Quality of education provided

 The proprietor must ensure that a written policy on the curriculum, supported by appropriate plans and schemes of work, which provides for the matters specified in sub-paragraph (2) is drawn up and implemented effectively; and the written policy, plans and schemes of work take into account the ages, aptitudes and needs of all pupils, including those pupils with an education, health and care (EHC) plan; and 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 (paragraph 2(1), 2(1)(a), 2(1)(b), 2(1)(b)(i), 2(1)(b)(ii)).  The proprietor must ensure that full-time supervised education for pupils of compulsory school age (construed in accordance with section 8 of the Education Act 1996), gives pupils experience in linguistic, mathematical, scientific, technological, human and social, physical and aesthetic and creative education and enables pupils to

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

acquire speaking, listening, literacy and numeracy skills (paragraph 2(2)(a), 2(2)(b)).  The proprietor must ensure that pupils receive personal, social, health and economic education which reflects the school’s aim and ethos; and encourages respect for other people, paying particular regard to the protected characteristics set out in the Equality Act 2010 Act (paragraph 2(2)(d), 2(2)(d)(i), 2(2)(d)(ii)).  The proprietor must ensure that pupils receiving secondary education have access to accurate, up-to-date careers guidance that is presented in an impartial manner so that they are able to make informed choices about a broad range of career options and helps to encourage them to fulfil their potential; (paragraph 2(2)(e), 2(2)(e)(i), 2(2)(e)(ii), 2(2)(e)(iii)).  The proprietor must ensure that all pupils have the opportunity to learn and make progress; and receive effective preparation for the opportunities, responsibilities and

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

experiences of life in British society (paragraph 2(2)(h), 2(2)(i)).  The proprietor must ensure that the teaching at the school meets all the requirements of paragraph 3 (paragraph 3, 3(a), 3(b), 3(c), 3(d), 3(e), 3(f), 3(g), 3(h), 3(i), 3(j)).

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Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils

 The proprietor must ensure that all the standards in Part 2 are met (paragraph 5, 5(a), 5(b), 5(b)(i), 5(b)(ii), 5(b)(iii), 5(b)(iv), 5(b)(v), 5(b)(vi), 5(b)(vii), 5(c), 5(d), 5(d)(i), 5(d)(ii), 5(d)(iii)).

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

 The proprietor must ensure that arrangements are made to safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils at the school; and such arrangements have regard to any guidance issued by the Secretary of State (paragraph 7, 7(a), 7(b)).  The proprietor must ensure that relevant health and safety laws are complied with by the drawing up and effective implementation of a written health and safety policy (paragraph 11).  The proprietor must ensure compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (paragraph 12).  The proprietor must ensure that first aid is administered in a timely and competent manner by the drawing up and effective implementation of a written first aid policy (paragraph 13).  The proprietor must ensure that pupils are properly supervised through the appropriate deployment of school staff (paragraph 14).  The proprietor must ensure that an admission register is maintained in accordance

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

with the Education (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2006 (paragraph 15).  The proprietor must ensure that the welfare of pupils at the school is safeguarded and promoted by the drawing up and effective implementation of a written risk assessment policy; and appropriate action is taken to reduce risks that are identified (paragraph 16, 16(a), 16(b)).

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Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors

 The proprietor must ensure that all of the standards in Part 4 are met, with the exception of paragraphs 18(2)(f), 19(2)(e) which apply to schools with boarders. The school has no provision for boarders.

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Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

 The proprietor must ensure that suitable changing accommodation and showers are provided for pupils aged 11 years or over at the start of the school year who receive physical education (paragraph 23(1), 23(1)(c)).  The proprietor must ensure that suitable accommodation is provided in order to cater for the medical and therapy needs of pupils, including accommodation for the medical examination and treatment of pupils; accommodation for the short-term care of sick and injured pupils, which includes a washing facility and is near to a toilet facility (paragraph 24(1), 24(1)(a), 24(1)(b), 24(2)).  The proprietor must ensure that suitable drinking water facilities are provided and cold water supplies that are suitable for drinking are clearly marked as such and are readily accessible at all times when the premises are in use; and they are in a separate area from the toilet facilities (paragraph 28(1)(a), 28(1)(c), 28(2), 28(2)(a),

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Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

28(2)(b)).  The proprietor must ensure that suitable outdoor space is provided in order to enable physical education to be provided to pupils in accordance with the school curriculum; and pupils to play outside (paragraph 29(1), 29(1)(a), 29(1)(b)).

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

 The proprietor must ensure that persons with leadership and management responsibilities at the school (paragraph 34(1)) demonstrate good skills and knowledge appropriate to their role and fulfil their responsibilities effectively so that the independent school standards are met consistently (paragraph 34(1)(a), 34 (1)(b), 34(1)(c)).

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School details

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.

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 18–20 October 2016

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Information about this school

 M A Girls School was set up in June 2012 to provide a faith-based education for Muslim girls in a busy residential district of Bradford.  The school aims to be ‘a caring, sharing community, extending links into the local and wider communities’.  The number of pupils on roll has fallen since the last inspection and there are now 11 pupils, all in Year 11. All other age groups left in December 2016. Four teaching staff provide lessons, three days a week, to help pupils complete their GCSE examinations in 2017.  The pupils are taught in the upper floor of the school building. The lower floor classrooms are now a separately registered nursery school, with a different proprietor.  No pupil had a statement of special educational needs or an education, health and care plan at the time of the inspection.

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Information about this inspection

 The emergency inspection was carried out over one day and was unannounced. The focus was to establish the quality of education and the welfare, health and safety for the remaining Year 11 pupils, including checking that they received appropriate levels of supervision by suitably vetted adults. The inspection was also to confirm the whereabouts of any relocated pupils.  The inspector toured the building inside and out to verify if the independent standards were met.  The inspector reviewed the limited information available. This included the proprietor’s training records, school registers, four teacher’s employment folders and information regarding the destinations of the Year 7 to Year 10 pupils who have left the school.  The inspector held telephone conversations throughout the day with the proprietor. The proprietor declined the inspector’s invitation to meet with him in school.  The inspector spoke to City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council Admissions Team

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Information about this inspection

to determine the destinations of the Year 7 to Year 10 pupils.  A former school administrator, a teacher and the proprietor of the nursery school, which shares the same building as M A Girls School, provided support in finding the school documentation.

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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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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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