Zakaria Muslim Girls' High School

School progress monitoring inspection report

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Zakaria Muslim Girls’ High School 111 Warwick Road, Batley, West Yorkshire WF17 6AJ

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Inspection dates 30 November–1 December 2017

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraph 2(2), 2(2)(e), 2(2)(e)(i), 2(2)(e)(ii), 2(2)(e)(iii)  The inspection in September 2016 identified that these standards were unmet. It identified that pupils received guidance on how to develop curriculum vitae and benefited from visiting speakers from a local university. However, pupils did not receive up-to-date, impartial advice to help them make informed choices for their next steps. There was no system in place to check where pupils move to, after leaving school.  The action plan submitted by school leaders to address this issue was judged by the Department for Education to be acceptable.  Pupils did attend a careers event in October 2017. There is now a suitable system in place to check where pupils move to, after leaving school. In Year 11, pupils are taught about careers during their form period. However, no other pupils in the school have an

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Main inspection findings

opportunity to learn about careers during their personal, health and social education lessons. The careers resources in the school library are out of date. Pupils do not have any access to impartial careers advice. Pupils are unclear about how to pursue their chosen careers.  School leaders have not fully addressed the requirement for girls to have access to up- to-date, impartial careers guidance. Therefore, these standards remain unmet. Paragraph 3, 3(a), 3(c)  The inspection in September 2016 identified that these standards were unmet. The lead inspector noted that teaching was not consistently strong enough to ensure that pupils made good progress in all subjects.  The action plan submitted by school leaders to address this issue was judged by the Department for Education to be acceptable.  School leaders have not carried out all the planned actions. The inspector found that evidence from pupils’ work and the short visits to lessons indicates that not all pupils

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Main inspection findings

make consistently good progress. The school’s assessment and feedback policy was not

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Main inspection findings

available as it is still in draft form. Teachers rarely take account of pupils’ starting points and, as a result, pupils frequently complete the same work.  These standards remain unmet. Paragraphs 3, 3(d), 3(g), 4  The inspection in September 2016 identified that these standards were unmet. It identified issues with the accuracy of teachers’ assessments. In addition, the inspection identified that leaders did not assess pupils’ initial achievements carefully enough.  The action plan submitted by school leaders to address this issue was judged by the Department for Education to be acceptable. The action indicated that suitable assessment systems would be in place by April 2017.  School leaders have well-intentioned plans to introduce a new assessment system. However, this system is still in its infancy and has not been implemented.  These standards remain unmet. Paragraph 3, 3(b), 3(e), 3(f), 3(i), 3(j)

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Main inspection findings

 The inspection in September 2016 identified that these standards were met. Issues raised within a complaint received by the Department for Education indicated that these standards may no longer be met.  This inspection found that, as a result of appropriate training, teachers are well informed about the requirements of the new GCSE qualifications. Pupils have access to suitable resources to support their learning. As a result, pupils demonstrate interest in their work and an ability to think for themselves.  Teachers use effective strategies to manage pupils’ behaviour in the classroom. Teachers take opportunities to ensure that pupils develop their understanding of fundamental British values. Pupils demonstrate a clear understanding of equalities.  These standards are met. Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7, 7(a) and 7(b)  The inspection in September 2016 identified that these standards were met. Issues

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Main inspection findings

raised within a complaint received by the Department for Education indicated that these standards may no longer be met.  The school’s safeguarding policy, published on the website, was out of date prior to the inspection. However, the updated policy, available in school, takes into account current government requirements.  This inspection found that not all staff receive regular or annual updates on child protection. In particular, there are no records of safeguarding induction training for new members of staff; therefore, pupils’ safety is not fully taken into account.  School leaders do not have effective systems in place, to check if girls are safe, on the rare occasions when they are excluded from school.  These standards are not met.

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Main inspection findings

Paragraph 9, 9(a), 9(b), 9(c)  The inspection in September 2016 identified that these standards were met. Issues raised within a complaint received by the Department for Education indicated that these standards may no longer be met.  The school’s behaviour policy, does not include sufficient information about the reasons and procedures for excluding pupils. In addition, the behaviour policy is not always implemented effectively. Occasionally, sanctions, such as isolation of pupils, exceed the school’s policy. School leaders do not maintain accurate records of all sanctions imposed on pupils.  These standards are not met. Paragraphs 10 and 14  The inspection in September 2016 identified that these standards were met. Issues raised within a complaint received by the Department for Education indicated that these standards may no longer be met.  The school has an effective anti-bullying policy in place. Pupils and staff confirm that

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Main inspection findings

bullying is rare, but suitably addressed if it occurs.  Pupils are supervised properly at all times, including break and lunchtimes.  These standards are met. Part 6. Provision of information Paragraph 32(1)(c)  The inspection in September 2016 identified that these standards were met. Issues raised within a complaint received by the Department for Education indicated that these standards may no longer be met.  The school’s up-to-date safeguarding policy was available on the website before the end of the inspection.  This standard is met. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b)  The inspection of September 2016 identified that leaders had not been effective enough in securing consistently good teaching and progress for pupils. Therefore, those with leadership and management responsibilities did not fulfil their responsibilities effectively so that the independent school standards were met consistently.

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Main inspection findings

 The action plan submitted by school leaders to address this issue was judged by the Department for Education to be acceptable.  The action plan indicated that the leadership team would be restructured, and that senior leaders would have less teaching load. Since the last inspection, the number of senior leaders in school has declined. Senior leaders do not have sufficient time to carry out their roles effectively.  These standards remain unmet. Paragraph 34(1), 34(1)(c)  The inspection in September 2016 identified that these standards were met. Issues raised within a complaint received by the Department for Education indicated that these standards may no longer be met.  The proprietor has not ensured that arrangements are made to safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils at the school and that arrangements have regard to guidance issued by the Secretary of State.  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, as set out in the annex of this report. This included the standards and requirements that the school was judged to not comply with at the previous inspection. Not all of the standards and associated requirements were checked during this inspection.

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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

Proprietor Muslim Education Trust (Batley)

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School details

Email address info@zakariamuslimgirlshighschool.co.uk

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 27–29 September 2016

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Information about this school

 Zakaria Muslim Girls’ High School is a Muslim day school which accepts girls between the ages of 11 and 16 years. It is currently registered for 199 pupils and has 92 pupils on roll.  The school is located on two sites which are within walking distance of each other.  The school was previously inspected in September 2016 when, following a full standard inspection, it was judged to require improvement.  The school does not use any alternative education provision.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was carried out at the request of the registration authority for independent schools. The purpose of the inspection was to monitor the progress the school has made in meeting the independent school standards and other requirements that it was judged to not comply with at its previous inspection.  The school’s action plan to address the independent school standards not met at the last inspection was judged to be acceptable when it was evaluated by Ofsted in April 2017.  The Department for Education commissioned Ofsted, as part of this inspection, to consider issues raised around the quality of education and pupil welfare, as a result of a complaint received.  This inspection took place over two days, with no notice. It was the school’s first progress monitoring inspection since the school was judged to require improvement in September 2016.  The inspector spoke informally with pupils and staff during the inspection. She held a

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Information about this inspection

meeting with three members of staff. In addition, she met with nine pupils from Years 8, 9, 10 and 11.  The inspector met with two deputy headteachers, the member of staff leading on behaviour and four trustees, including the headteacher.  The lead inspector, accompanied by the deputy headteacher, toured a variety of lessons in Years 7 to 10. The inspector also examined pupils’ work in a range of subjects.  The inspector visited the second site, where Year 11 pupils were taking mock examinations.  The inspector spoke with two parents who were dropping off their daughters at school. There were no responses to the Ofsted’s Parent View online questionnaire. There were too few sources to take parents’ views into account.  The lead inspector scrutinised a range of documentation including the school’s safeguarding policy, the behaviour policy, behaviour records and records of leaders’ observations of teaching.

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Inspection team

Julia Wright, lead inspector Ofsted Inspector

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The school does not meet the following independent school standards

Standards that were not met at the previous inspection and remain un-met at this inspection

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

 2(2) For the purposes of paragraph (2)(1)(a), the matters are– – 2(2)(e) for pupils receiving secondary education, access to accurate, up-to-date careers guidance that– – 2(2)(e)(i) is presented in an impartial manner; – 2(2)(e)(ii) enables them to make informed choices about a broad range of career options; and – 2(2)(e)(iii) helps to encourage them to fulfil their potential;  3 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that the teaching at the school– – 3(a) enables pupils to acquire new knowledge and make good progress according to their ability so that they increase their understanding and develop their skills in the subjects taught; – 3(c) involves well planned lessons and effective teaching methods, activities and management of class time; – 3(d) shows a good understanding of the aptitudes, needs and prior attainments of the pupils, and ensures that these are taken into account in the planning of lessons;

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

– 3(g) demonstrates that a framework is in place to assess pupils' work regularly and thoroughly and use information from that assessment to plan teaching so that pupils can progress;  4 The standard in this paragraph is met where the proprietor ensures that a framework for pupil performance to be evaluated, by reference to the school’s own aims as provided to parents or national norms, or to both, is in place.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

 34(1) The standard about the quality of leadership and management is met if the proprietor ensures that persons with leadership and management responsibilities at the school– – 34(1)(a) demonstrate good skills and knowledge appropriate to their role so that the independent school standards are met consistently; – 34(1)(b) fulfil their responsibilities effectively so that the independent school standards are met consistently; Standards that were met at the previous inspection, but are now judged to not be met at this inspection

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

 7 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that– – 7(a) arrangements are made to safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils at the school; and – 7(b) such arrangements have regard to any guidance issued by the Secretary of State.  9 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor promotes good behaviour amongst pupils by ensuring that– – 9(a) a written behaviour policy is drawn up that, amongst other matters, sets out the sanctions to be adopted in the event of pupil misbehaviour; – 9(b) the policy is implemented effectively; and – 9(c) a record is kept of the sanctions imposed upon pupils for serious misbehaviour.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

 34(1) The standard about the quality of leadership and management is met if the proprietor ensures that persons with leadership and management responsibilities at the school– – 34(1)(c) actively promote the well-being of pupils. 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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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

You can also use Parent View to find out what other parents and carers think about schools in England. You can visitwww.parentview.ofsted.gov.uk, or look for the link on the main Ofsted website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted .

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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