Birmingham Muslim School

School progress monitoring inspection report

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Birmingham Muslim School Bisley Works, Golden Hillock Road, Small Heath, Birmingham, West Midlands B11 2PY

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraph 3, 3(a), 3(c), 3(d), 3(f)  The previous inspection found some weaknesses in teaching. Since then, staff have attended training and leaders have reviewed phonics teaching and have made changes to the way they check teaching and learning. Since October 2017, two teachers, including the deputy headteacher, have left the school and two new teachers have been appointed.  Currently, the quality of teaching and learning in key stages 1 and 2 continues to have some shortcomings. In English, and to a lesser extent in mathematics, much work is targeted at the middle ability pupils. Consequently, there is insufficient challenge for the most able or support for those who find work difficult. This means some of the most able finish tasks quickly, while the less able pupils rely heavily on extra help or copying in order to complete work.  In some lessons, resources are not ideal. During this inspection, for example, older

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Main inspection findings

pupils had to make do with a limited number of well-worn dictionaries to help them with a word identification activity. Some of the dictionaries did not contain the words to be checked. Furthermore, the most capable and articulate pupils completed the task quite quickly and had nothing more to push their learning on further.  In another instance, low-quality worksheets of pictures of toys did not help younger pupils to gain a good understanding of old and new. In both cases, teachers had good intentions and the learning objectives were appropriate, but the available resources were not well matched to the tasks and this limited pupils’ progress.  At times, pupils repeat work they can already do. While staff recognise the importance of building pupils’ fluency and recall, the inspector found several examples in lessons and pupils’ books where pupils did not move on to more demanding work when they were

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Main inspection findings

ready to do so.  The teaching of handwriting and spelling continues to require improvement. Too many pupils do not develop fluent and legible handwriting. Regular phonics teaching is helping to improve pupils’ reading and spelling, but many pupils make simple errors because of weakness in their knowledge of how to spell words.  On a positive note, the end-of-key-stage-2 test results for 2018 were an improvement on the standards reached in 2017. In mathematics, almost all pupils reached the expected standard for their age. In reading and writing, however, the proportions that reached the expected standard were still below the national averages. Over time, pupils’ achievement in mathematics has been stronger than achievement in English.  These standards are not met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 17, 18(1), 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)  The inspection in October 2017 did not identify any unmet standards under Part 4. However, as a routine part of this inspection, the inspector examined the single central record of checks on staff. The inspector checked the record against a current staff list and against government records of prohibition from teaching and section 128 direction checks. Since the previous inspection, one member of staff has been issued with an interim prohibition from teaching order. This has been recorded correctly in school and school leaders are following the advice they have been given. That said, there is no system in place for trustees other than the headteacher to check the school’s arrangements.  The single central record complies with requirements.

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Main inspection findings

Part 6. Provision of information Paragraphs 32(1), 32(1)(b), 32(1)(c), 32(1)(d), 32(1)(j), 32(2), 32(1)(a), 32(2)(a), 32(2)(b), 32(2)(b)(ii), 32(2)(c), 32(2)(d), 32(3), 32(3)(a), 32(3)(b), 32(3)(d), 32(3)(e), 32(3)(g)  The previous inspection found that information for parents was not readily available via the school’s website. Since then, the school has created a more reliable website that is easy to navigate and contains all the required information. This includes the school’s safeguarding policy, which was last revised in September 2018 to take account of the government’s most recent statutory guidance.  In addition to being published on the school’s website, policy statements for admissions, behaviour, the use of exclusion, complaints, special educational needs (SEN) and provision for pupils who speak English as an additional language are available to parents from the school’s office. These policies meet requirements, although the documents

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Main inspection findings

describing support for pupils who speak English as an additional language and the policy statement for SEN and/or disabilities are brief and contain the bare minimum of information.  These standards are met. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b)  The proprietor and school leaders are still not demonstrating the necessary knowledge and expertise to ensure that all of the independent school standards are met consistently. While leaders have ensured that the standard relating to the provision of information is now met, they have not managed to make any sustained improvements to teaching. The current quality of teaching does not enable pupils to make good progress, especially in English.  During this inspection, it was evident that leaders have sought external advice and have acted upon it. However, they remain heavily dependent on such advice in order to lead

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Main inspection findings

and manage the school.  This standard is 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

Type of school Muslim independent day school

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School details

Proprietor The Albayan Education Foundation Ltd

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School details

Email address info@birminghammuslimschool.org

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 17–19 October 2017

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Information about this school

 Birmingham Muslim School is an independent Islamic day school for girls and boys aged four to 11 years old. It was opened in 2001.  There are currently 72 pupils on roll.  No pupils have been identified as having SEN and/or disabilities.  The proprietor is The Albayan Education Foundation Ltd. This is made up of a board of three trustees, one of whom is the headteacher.  The headteacher does not have a class teaching commitment.  Since the previous inspection, two teachers, including the deputy headteacher, have left the school and two new teachers have been appointed.  The last full inspection of the school took place in October 2017, when its overall effectiveness was judged to be inadequate.

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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.  This inspection was carried out with no notice and lasted one day.  This was the first monitoring inspection since the school’s action plan was evaluated by Ofsted on 14 February 2018 and found not to be acceptable. The Department for Education rejected the action plan on 12 June 2018.  The inspector visited every room in the school building and checked the outdoor playground. He examined the single central record of checks on staff and sought advice from the teaching regulation agency about their recent communication with the school.  The inspector held meetings with the headteacher and other staff. In addition, he spoke

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Information about this inspection

to pupils and staff in classrooms, observed teaching and learning and looked at pupils’ work in books. He looked at records of staff training and information produced by an external educational consultant. He also looked at books in the school’s recently opened library.  During the inspection, the proprietor was represented by the headteacher. Neither of the other trustees were available.  Before the inspection, the inspector checked the school’s website and looked at Parent View, where there were 27 recent responses.  The inspection was quality assured by a Senior Her Majesty’s Inspector.

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Inspection team

Martin Pye, lead inspector Her Majesty’s 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 unmet at this inspection

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

 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.

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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.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

Standards that were met at the previous inspection, but are now judged to not be met at this inspection

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

 3 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that the teaching at the school– – 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; – 3(f) utilises effectively classroom resources of a good quality, quantity and range.

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Part 6 Provision of information

 32(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that the following information is published on the school’s website: – the school’s safeguarding policy (paragraph 32(1), 32(1)(b) and 32(1)(c)) – following an inspection under section 108 or 109 of the 2008 Act, a copy of the report of the inspection (if it has been sent to the proprietor) is published and maintained on the school’s website, and provided to parents of each registered pupil, by any date specified by the body who conducted the inspection (paragraph 32(1)(d)).

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Part 6 Provision of information

 32(1)(j) The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that all of the required information is made available to parents of pupils and parents of prospective pupils and, on request, to the Chief Inspector, the Secretary of State or an independent inspectorate: – the school’s address and telephone number and the name of the headteacher (paragraph 32(2), 32(1)(a) and 32(2)(a)) – where the proprietor is a body of persons, the address and telephone number of its registered or principal office (paragraph 32(2)(b) and 32(2)(b)(ii)) – where there is a governing body, the name and address for correspondence of its chair (paragraph 32(2)(c)) – a statement of the school’s ethos (including any religious ethos) and aims (paragraph 32(2)(d)) – particulars of the school’s policy on and arrangements for admissions, misbehaviour and exclusions (paragraph 32(3) and 32(3)(a)) – particulars of educational and welfare provision for pupils with education, health and

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Part 6 Provision of information

care (EHC) plans and pupils for whom English is an additional language (paragraph 32(3)(b)) – the school’s written behaviour policy (paragraph 32(3)(d)) – particulars of the school’s academic performance during the preceding school year, including the results of any public examinations (paragraph 32(3)(e)) – a copy of the report of any inspection carried out under sections 108 or 109 of the 2008 Act or section 87(1) of the 1989 Act (paragraph 32(3)(g)). 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 6 Provision of information

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 6 Provision of information

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 6 Provision of information

achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children’s social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Part 6 Provision of information

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open- government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

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Part 6 Provision of information

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Part 6 Provision of information

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

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