Al Huda Girls' School

Al Huda Girls’ School 74–76 Washwood Heath Road, Saltley, Birmingham, West Midlands B8 1RD

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7, 7(a), 7(b), 32(1)(c) [Part 6]  As a routine part of the inspection, the inspector checked the school’s safeguarding policy.  The school has made appropriate arrangements to safeguard pupils. Staff have received recent training about safeguarding matters and understand the risks that pupils might face. Key leaders have had specific training about female genital mutilation and the danger of extreme views.  The school’s safeguarding policy is informed by the government’s most recent guidance and is available from the school office. At the time of this inspection, the version of the policy on the website was out of date. The school website is not managed by school staff and leaders were unable to update it during the day. This does not prevent the school from meeting this part of the independent school standards. However, it is worth noting that some other general information on the

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Main inspection findings

school’s website is out of date, which is not helpful to parents. Hard copies of policies and other documents are available on request from the school office.  These standards are met. Paragraphs 9, 9(a), 9(b), 9(c), 10, 14  One focus of this inspection was to check if pupils are treated fairly and whether the school’s behaviour policy is adequate.  The school’s written behaviour policy is fit for purpose. It provides guidance for staff and pupils and describes the rewards and sanctions that staff should use in school.  The school keeps a record of any poor behaviour. Most of the entries in the behaviour record book describe low-level rude or inattentive behaviour in class. For example, pupils talking when they should be listening, or not getting on with their work. Occasionally, more serious poor behaviour is recorded.  During this inspection, pupils were appropriately supervised, both indoors and outside.

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Main inspection findings

There is no evidence of bullying in the school or of any pupils being treated unfairly. Pupils are confident that other pupils would not hurt them or deliberately upset them. They say that staff are kind.  These standards are met. Paragraphs 11, 16, 16(a) and 16(b)  School leaders carry out risk assessments for different activities. However, some risks are not identified so are not dealt with. Parts of the premises, for example, are in poor condition and pose risks that are not picked up through formal risk assessments. Consequently, broken sink taps, and holes and protruding nails in the playground fence have not been fixed.  These standards are not met. 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), 20(6), 20(6)(a), 20(6)(a)(i), 20(6)(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),

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Main inspection findings

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), 21(3)(a)(viii), 21(3)(b), 21(4), 21(6), 21(7), 21(7)(a), 21(7)(b)  The inspector examined the single central record of employment checks on staff and found it to be in order. All the proper checks on staff are completed and recorded correctly. The single central record complies with current requirements. The school does not use supply staff.  These standards are met. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 23(1), 23(1)(a), 23(1)(c), 25, 28(1) and 28(1)(b)  During the inspection, the inspector checked the premises because of concerns about standards of maintenance.  The school provides toilets and washing facilities for pupils. There are four separate toilet cubicles and two wash basins. The taps on one of the basins are broken and cannot be used. This leaves one functioning wash basin, which is not sufficient for the

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Main inspection findings

demands placed upon it. In addition, standards of cleanliness and maintenance in the toilet and washing areas are poor.  There is one shower cubicle located in the corner of the toilet and washing room. It is in bad state of repair and, during this inspection, was not working. Staff and pupils report that it is not used. Currently, pupils are unable to shower after physical education (PE).  Parts of the school premises are not in good condition. As already noted, the toilet and washing areas are in a poor state and are unhygienic. In addition, some fencing panels on the playground are broken, exposing nails and sharp edges. Many areas of the school need cleaning and maintaining. In one corner of the playground there is a large pile of rubbish, which poses a potential health and safety risk.  These standards are not met. Paragraphs 23(1)(b), 24(1), 24(1)(a), 24(1)(b) and 24(2)  The school provides a room for the short-term care of sick pupils, which is close to

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Main inspection findings

pupils’ toilet and washing facility. This room is suitably private and has a supply of drinking water. It is also used as an office.  These standards are met. Paragraphs 26, 27, 27(a), 27(b), 28(1), 28(1)(a), 28(1)(c), 28(1)(d), 28(2), 28(2)(a), 28(2)(b), 29(1), 29(1)(a) and 29(1)(b)  The rooms used for teaching are adequate and have suitable lighting. External lighting is also in place. Some light fittings are dirty and some paint is peeling.  Pupils have access to drinking water from a purpose-made dispenser in one of the offices. It is clearly marked as drinking water.  Water from the hot and cold taps used by pupils is at a suitable temperature.  There is a hard-surfaced outdoor playground with space to play and for PE lessons to take place. As noted earlier, this area is surrounded by poorly maintained fencing and has some rubbish stored in a corner. However, the actual space is suitable for its

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Main inspection findings

intended purpose.  These standards are met. Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled Paragraphs 33, 33(a), 33(b), 33(c), 33(d), 33(e), 33(f), 33(g), 33(h), 33(i), 33(i)(i), 33(i)(ii), 33(j), 33(j)(i), 33(j)(ii) and 33(k)  Another focus of this inspection was to check if the school’s complaints policy met requirements and was available to parents. The inspector also considered evidence related to the concerns that had triggered this inspection.  The school has a complaints policy. It is available from the school office or can be downloaded from the school’s website. This policy sets out the procedures for making a complaint and describes what school leaders will do at different stages when considering a complaint. The policy meets the requirements set out in the independent school standards. All the evidence seen during this inspection shows that the school follows this policy.  These standards are met.

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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)  The proprietor and school leaders have not ensured that all of the independent school standards are met. In particular, standards of cleanliness and maintenance are poor. Risks posed by poor hygiene and broken fixtures have been allowed to persist and work against pupils’ well-being. In addition, leaders have not maintained a suitable accessibility plan.  These standards are not met. Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  The school does not have a suitable accessibility plan.

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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. 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 day school for girls

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School details

Of which, number on roll in sixth form 0

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School details

Email address sumeya.jawaid@al-hudagirlsschool.com

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 23–25 May 2017

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Information about this school

 Al Huda Girls’ School is an independent Muslim day school in Saltley, East Birmingham. It provides secondary education, within an Islamic environment, for girls aged between 11 and 16 years old.  It was last inspected in May 2017 and, at that time, was judged to meet all the independent school standards.  The school does not have any specially resourced provision for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities. It does not use any alternative providers or off- site units.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was carried out at the request of the registration authority for independent schools. The inspection was prompted by information received by the Department for Education, which raised concerns about aspects of the school.  The inspection was carried out with no notice and lasted one day.  The inspection focused on provision for pupils’ welfare, health and safety, the suitability of staff and premises, procedures for handling complaints and leadership and management.  The inspector met with the headteacher and other staff. In addition, he spoke to pupils and inspected the school building and outdoor areas. He looked at school policies and records, information from pupils and staff, and examined the single central record of employment checks on staff.  Before the inspection, the inspector checked the school’s website and looked at information on the internet. He also looked at Parent View, where there were no

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Inspection team

Martin Pye, lead inspector Her Majesty’s Inspector

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

 11 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that relevant health and safety laws are complied with by the drawing up and effective implementation of a written health and safety policy.  16 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that— – 16(a) 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 – 16(b) appropriate action is taken to reduce risks that are identified.

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Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

 23(1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2), the standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that— – 23(1)(a) suitable toilet and washing facilities are provided for the sole use of pupils; – 23(1)(c) 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.  25 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that the school premises and the accommodation and facilities provided therein are maintained to a standard such that, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of pupils are ensured.  28(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that— – 28(1)(b) toilets and urinals have an adequate supply of cold water and washing facilities have an adequate supply of hot and cold water.

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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; and – 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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