Islamia Girls' High School

School progress monitoring inspection report

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Draft and confidential - Not for disclosure or publication Islamia Girls’ High School 2 Highfields Road, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire HD1 5NG

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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), 3, 3(f)  The progress monitoring inspection in March 2017 identified that these standards were not met because the school had a lack of schemes of work that took into account different ages and aptitudes of pupils. This inspection found that the proprietor has ensured that there is a written policy on the curriculum with schemes of work to support it. These schemes take into account different ages and aptitudes.  The progress monitoring inspection also identified a lack of appropriate resources. Checks by the inspector during lessons and consideration of the resources available to deliver the schemes of work demonstrate that there is an appropriate range of resources to deliver the planned curriculum. For example, there is a good range of reading books to support the teaching of English and quality textbooks for teaching subjects such as

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Main inspection findings

Arabic studies. Improvements to the building have included a dedicated room for teaching science.  Issues raised within a complaint received by the DfE suggested that the scientific aspect of the curriculum was not taught regularly. The school’s timetables show that science is timetabled regularly across the week. Pupils’ books demonstrate that pupils receive regular teaching of science, although there is limited evidence of practical science.  These standards are met. Paragraph 3, 3(a), 3(b), 3(c), 3(d), 3(e), 3(g)  The previous monitoring inspection in March 2017 identified that these standards were not met. Pupils’ progress, as shown in books and the school’s framework for assessing pupils’ progress, was not good.  Since the monitoring inspection, leaders have developed their approaches to monitoring pupils’ progress. However, these are not embedded and some pupils’ progress records are not fully complete. This makes it difficult for leaders to evidence that pupils are

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Main inspection findings

making good progress across the curriculum. Pupils’ work in books is variable and does not show that they are making good progress. However, there is some evidence that teachers are beginning to plan work that matches pupils’ different needs, for example in science.  These standards are not met. Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils  The school now has a safeguarding policy that takes into account current government requirements. This policy is available for parents and carers on the school’s website.  Therefore the school meets the requirements of paragraph 32(1) and 32(1) (c). Paragraph 7, 7(a) and 7(b)  The school progress monitoring inspection in March 2017 identified that these standards were not met. The inspection identified that the single central register did not meet requirements and some information held upon it was inaccurate. Furthermore, appropriate recruitment checks were not being made. School leaders were not ensuring

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Main inspection findings

that references taken for staff were appropriate and evidence of references taken was not available. A material change inspection also completed in March 2017 identified that staff responsible for safer recruitment have not ensured that prohibition from teaching checks and medical checks had been made.  This inspection identified that leaders had addressed all but one of the areas required to enable the single central register to meet requirements. Leaders now have in place medical checks and evidence of references; these are held in staff employment folders. However, leaders have not yet completed prohibition from teaching checks.  These standards are not met. Paragraph 13  The monitoring inspection in March 2017 identified that the school did not have a clear, comprehensive first aid policy that takes into account the needs of pupils at the school. Nor was there a trained first aider in school.  This inspection found that a first aid policy is in place. The headteacher has recently

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Main inspection findings

completed first aid training.  This standard is met. Paragraph 14  Issues raised within a complaint received by the DfE suggested that teachers did not arrive promptly to start lessons, supervise pupils and make effective use of lesson time.  The inspection found that lessons start promptly, transitions between lessons are well managed and pupils are appropriately supervised. Pupils believe that, in the main, teachers make a timely beginning to lessons and there is an expectation that pupils apply themselves in the time available.  This standard is met. Paragraph 15  The monitoring inspection in March 2017 identified that the school’s admission register was not up to date. It was not maintained in accordance with the Education (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2006, as information on pupils who have left the school was not up to date.  This inspection found that the school’s admission register is up to date, including with

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Main inspection findings

information of pupils who have left the school.  This standard is met. Paragraph 16, 16(a), 16 (b)  The monitoring inspection in March 2017 found that school leaders had not implemented the risk assessment policy effectively. Specifically, there was no risk assessment in place or strategy to indicate how a member of staff would be supervised while awaiting a clear enhanced criminal records check.  This member of staff has now completed a successful enhanced criminal records check. Risk assessments are in place for a range of school activities.  This standard is met. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraph 18, 18(1), 18(2), 18(2)(b), 18(2)(c)(ii), 18(2)(d), 20(6), 20(6)(c)  The monitoring inspection in March 2017 found that all staff, except one, had the required enhanced disclosure and barring service (DBS) checks. Senior leaders were awaiting confirmation of this one required enhanced disclosure and barring service (DBS)

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Main inspection findings

check.  This inspection found that all staff now have DBS checks completed.  The monitoring inspection in March 2017 found that the proprietor had not ensured that appropriate references had been requested and that prohibition from teaching and medical fitness checks had been completed.  This inspection found that appropriate references and medical fitness checks were completed. However, prohibition from teaching checks have not been completed.  Therefore standards 18(2)(c)(ii), 18(2)(d), 20(6), 20(6)(c) are met.  However, standards 18, 18(1), 18(2), 18(2)(b) 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)  The inspection of April 2016 identified that the proprietor had not ensured that effective systems and procedures were in place to safeguard pupils. Therefore, those with leadership and management responsibilities did not fulfil their responsibilities effectively

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Main inspection findings

so that the independent school standards were met consistently.  This inspection concluded that many of the standards unmet at the previous monitoring inspection have now been met. However, there remain some unmet standards relating to the quality of education provided and to the welfare, health and safety of pupils.  Therefore, 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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The school does not meet the following independent school standards

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

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The school does not meet the following independent school standards

 Part 1. Quality of education provided (paragraphs 3, 3(a), 3(b), 3(c), 3(d), 3(e), 3(g)). – The proprietor has not ensured that pupils make good progress from their starting points.  Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors (paragraphs 18, 18(1), 18(2), 18(2)(b), 18(2)(c)(ii)). – 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.  Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools (paragraph 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b), 34(1)(c)). – The proprietor has not ensured that pupils make good progress from their starting points – 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.

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The school now meets the following independent school standards

Standards that were not met at the previous inspection, that the school has now met

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The school now meets the following independent school standards

 Part 1. Quality of education provided (paragraph 2(1), 2(1)(a), 2(1)(b), 2(1)(b)(i), paragraph 3, 3(f)). – The proprietor has ensured that there is a written policy on the curriculum with schemes of work to support it. These schemes take into account different ages and aptitudes. Classroom resources are of a good quality, quantity and range.  Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils (paragraphs 13, 15, 16, 16(a), 16 (b)) – The proprietor has ensured the effective implementation of a written first aid policy. – The proprietor has ensured that an admission and attendance register is maintained in accordance with the Education (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2006. – The proprietor has ensured 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.

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The school now meets the following independent school standards

 Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors (paragraph 18(2)(c)(ii), 18(2)(d), 20(6), 20(6)(c)) – The proprietor has ensured that checks are made on a person’s medical fitness and an enhanced criminal record check is made in respect of that person.

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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

Email address islamiagirlshigh@hotmail.co.uk

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 27–29 April 2016

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Information about this school

 Islamia Girls’ High School accepts Muslim girls between the ages of 11 and 16 years. This has changed from the last full inspection of the school, when the age range was between 9 and 16. A request for this material change is currently awaiting a decision by the DfE.  The school moved into its current premises in January 2017. A request for this material change is currently awaiting a decision by the DfE.  The maximum number of pupils in school is 27.  Since the full inspection in April 2016, the proprietor has changed to Huddersfield Education Trust. The chair of the governing body has also changed to Mr Jebar Ahmed.  The school’s last standard inspection was April 2016. The school also had a progress monitoring inspection in March 2017.  The school does not use any alternative provision or operate on any other sites.

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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 Department for Education commissioned Ofsted as part of this inspection to consider issues raised around the quality of education and pupils’ welfare as a result of a complaint received.  This inspection took place over one day, with no notice, and was unannounced. It was the school’s second progress monitoring inspection since the school was judged inadequate in April 2016.  A material change inspection to consider a change to the registered school address and lowering pupil numbers was completed on the same day. A separate report has been issued to consider these aspects.  The inspector spoke to most pupils during the inspection and several members of staff.

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Information about this inspection

Meetings were also held with the headteacher and the chair of the governing body during the day.  The inspector visited lessons throughout the day. Evaluation of the quality of work in books and on displays was completed. Consideration was given to the school’s pupil progress documentation.  There were not enough responses to the Ofsted Parent View online questionnaire to take this source into account.  Documentation regarding the curriculum and schemes of work, safeguarding and other health and safety aspects in order to meet the independent school standards was studied.

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Inspection team

Michael Reeves, lead 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.

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Inspection team

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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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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