Markazul Uloom

School material change inspection report

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Markazul Uloom Park Lee Road, Blackburn, Lancashire BB2 3NY

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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)(b), 2(2)(d), 2(2)(d)(i), 2(2)(d)(ii), 2(2)(e), 2(2)(g), 2(2)(h), 2(2)(i)  The current co-educational school has a well-established curriculum that is already successful. Leaders have ensured that pupils gain experience in the different aspects required by the independent school standards (ISS), such as linguistic, mathematical, scientific and technical education. While pupils’ experience in human and social, aesthetic and creative education fulfils the requirements of the ISS, it is narrower than that of pupils in many schools. Pupils study history but not geography, and art but not music, apart from nasheeds (Islamic songs).  The school’s curriculum policy and schemes of work are clear and provide helpful details for staff.  The school has a programme for careers education that includes guidance for pupils

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Main inspection findings

from an independent person.  The school day is organised to provide secular education each morning and Islamic education each afternoon.  There are currently no sixth-form boys in the school. Paragraph 3, 3(a), 3(b), 3(c), 3(d), 3(e), 3(f), 3(h), 3(i), 3(j)  Teaching in the school is effective. Teachers are skilled at planning for pupils’ learning. They are confident in their knowledge of the subjects they teach. Pupils gain in their knowledge and understanding. Pupils typically attain well in their GCSE examinations.  Pupils show their confidence in their teachers by behaving well and participating in learning.  Leaders regularly monitor the quality of teaching as part of their checks that pupils are making progress.  Leaders have ensured that the resources pupils need are available. Paragraph 3(g), 4, 32(1)(g)  Pupils in Year 7 are assessed on entry to the school. Leaders use information from these assessments to set their expectations for pupils’ academic success.

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Main inspection findings

 The school uses formal examinations twice each year. The results of these examinations form part of the twice-yearly reports to parents and carers. These reports also include details of other aspects such as pupils’ attitudes and attendance.  The proprietor has ensured that the standards in this part are likely to be 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)  The school’s faith ethos provides a framework for pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. There is a formal programme of personal, social and health education for pupils in key stage 3. This is in addition to the opportunities taken by teachers for pupils’ wider development during teaching of the school’s faith curriculum.  Leaders ensure that pupils develop a strong sense of respect for all. Pupils support

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Main inspection findings

local charities and visit people and places outside the school, for example meeting the town’s mayor as part of their citizenship work.  Leaders actively use the school’s equal opportunities policy as part of their work ensuring that all people are valued. Pupils are tolerant of the differences between each other.  The school expects all boys in Year 11 to take part in National Citizen Service programmes. Paragraph 5(c), 5(d), 5(d)(i), 5(d)(ii), 5(d)(iii)  Leaders ensure that staff are aware of the need for them to be politically neutral, for example by providing training and carefully checking that visits off-site are of value and appropriate.  The proprietor has ensured that the standards in this part are likely to be met. Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7, 7(a), 7(b)  The school’s safeguarding policy provides clear information on how to protect pupils. It includes details of who people can contact, in and out of school, if they have any

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Main inspection findings

concerns about a pupil. Leaders made two minor amendments during this inspection to ensure that this policy fully met the latest requirements from the Department for Education (DfE) about keeping pupils safe.  The headteacher is also the designated senior leader for any safeguarding matters. He has had suitable and recent training to support him in this role.  Training about safeguarding is provided annually for all staff and updated as needed. Paragraph 11, 12, 16, 16(a), 16(b)  The school has a brief health and safety policy. This is underpinned by more detailed policies, for example about fire safety and first aid.  The school has a risk assessment policy. This is supported by a range of relevant risk assessments. Leaders are aware of risks, including those that could arise from building work currently taking place. Potentially hazardous areas are fenced off or otherwise restricted from access by pupils.

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Main inspection findings

Paragraph 14  The proprietor intends that the same staff team that currently teach boys in the boys’ section of the mixed school will continue to teach at the school if it becomes a separate boys’ school. There are sufficient staff to ensure that pupils are properly supervised.  The proprietor has ensured that the standards in this part are likely to be met. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraph 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), 18(3), 19(1), 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)(i)(dd), 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), 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), 21(3)(a)(viii), 21(3)(b)  The school’s system for checking on the suitability of staff to work with pupils is

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Main inspection findings

thorough. All the required checks are completed before members of staff start their employment at the school. The checks completed include those needed on the members of the proprietorial body.  Leaders keep one electronic record of the checks on adults working in both parts of the school. However, this is split into separate sections so that it is easy to refer to the details of staff working in either part of the school.  No supply staff are employed to work at the school.  The proprietor has ensured that the standards in this part are likely to be met. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraph 23(1), 23(1)(a), 23(1)(b), 23(1)(c), 24(1), 24(1)(a), 24(1)(b), 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 premises currently in use for the education of boys are housed on the ground floor of part of a detached building. The area used for the boys’ education is shabby.

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Main inspection findings

However, aspects such as the lighting and acoustic conditions are suitable. Suitable outside space is available for physical education and games.  The current building programme has meant that the part of these premises that included the toilet facilities has been closed. Suitable toilet and showering facilities are available to pupils in a newly refurbished part of another building. While these facilities are appropriate for pupils’ routine use, the toilets are distant from the medical room in the main premises. This arrangement does not ensure that the potential needs of any unwell pupils can be properly met.  Leaders intend that this situation will be resolved when the school is able to move into the newly refurbished building. However, this will not happen until March 2020 at the earliest.  The proprietor has not ensured that the standards in this part are likely to be met. Part 6. Provision of information

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Main inspection findings

Paragraph 32(1), 32(1)(a), 32(1)(b), 32(1)(c), 32(1)(d), 32(1)(f), 32(1)(h), 32(1)(i), 32(2), 32(2)(a), 32(2)(b), 32(2)(b)(i), 32(2)(d), 32(3), 32(3)(a), 32(3)(b), 32(3)(c), 32(3)(d), 32(3)(e), 32(3)(f), 32(3)(g)  Leaders have ensured that the information that they need to provide for parents and others is available. This includes a prospectus that clearly summarises the key features of the school.  The school does not have a website. However, the school’s safeguarding policy and all other policies are available on request from the school.  The proprietor has ensured that the standards in this part are likely to be met. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b), 34(1)(c)  The proprietor and other leaders know about the ISS and the importance of meeting these. The unmet ISS concerning the medical room and access to toilet facilities has arisen because of the requirements of the school’s rebuilding programme.

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Main inspection findings

 Leaders have used the time since the previous emergency inspection to prepare for the mixed school to be ready to split to become separate boys’ and girls’ schools. The required policies, systems and staffing are all in place.  The headteachers and other leaders of the boys’ and girls’ parts of the school work together closely. This helps them to check that they are being effective and allows for streamlining, for example by producing common policies. Leaders recognise that the proposed change to the school may lead to greater differences in policies and approaches between the single-sex schools over time. However, leaders intend to continue to support each other’s work.  The proprietor has not ensured that the standards in this part are likely to be 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 are relevant to the material change, as set out in the annex of this report.

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School details

This inspection was carried out under section 162(4) of the Education Act 2002, the purpose of which is to advise the Secretary of State for Education about the school’s likely compliance with the independent school standards relevant to the material change that the school has applied to make.

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School details

Email address Markazul.uloom@yahoo.co.uk

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 4–6 July 2017

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 11 to 19 11 to 16 11 to 16

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 40 40 40

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School’s proposal

Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 40 40

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School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities None None

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School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan None None

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School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils paid for by a local authority with an education, health and care plan None None

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School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 1 1

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School’s proposal

Number of part-time teaching staff 11 11

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School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 2 2

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Information about this school

 This mixed school was judged to meet the independent school standards (ISS) at the time of its previous standard inspection in July 2017. However, a subsequent emergency inspection in September 2019 found that pupils were separated by sex unlawfully during their education and social time. As a result, a number of the ISS were not met. Following this judgement, the proprietor decided to change the single, mixed school into two separate schools, one for boys and one for girls. It is intended that both schools will have the same proprietor.  The school is currently operating under its registration as a mixed school and providing education for boys and girls in separate units. Each part of the school has its own headteacher and team of staff.  The proposed changes will not change the school’s overall approach because boys and girls are already taught separately in different buildings and with entirely separate

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Information about this school

facilities. Both parts of the school are on the same site.  The school is part-way through a building programme to provide new facilities for boys in a refurbished building. Leaders expect that this work will be completed around March 2020. Leaders are aware that the proprietor will need to apply to the DfE for another material change before the refurbished building can be used as a school.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was commissioned by the DfE following the proprietor’s request to change the school’s registration from a single mixed school to two single-sex schools. The material change considered during this inspection was for Markazul Uloom (MU) to become a school for boys only.  The proprietor has also applied to the DfE to register a girls’ school, Noorul Uloom (NU). A pre-registration inspection of NU was carried out at the same time as this material change inspection. The outcome of the pre-registration inspection is in a separate report.  This was the school’s first material change inspection in relation to the separation of boys’ and girls’ education.  During this inspection, inspectors met with the headteacher and other leaders of the boys’ education. Some of these meetings included leaders from both parts of the current school. Inspectors held a discussion with the proprietor about MU and NU.

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors toured the school’s buildings currently used for the education of boys, accompanied by the headteacher. They scrutinised policies and other information to check the school’s likely compliance with the ISS if the material change is completed. The documents examined included the school’s safeguarding policy and record of checks on the suitability of staff. Inspectors visited lessons to gather evidence about teaching, learning, and pupils’ behaviour and attitudes.

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Inspection team

David Selby, lead inspector Her Majesty’s Inspector

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Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

 24(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that suitable accommodation is provided in order to cater for the medical and therapy needs of pupils, including- – 24(1)(b) accommodation for the short term care of sick and injured pupils, which includes a washing facility and is near to a toilet facility.

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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

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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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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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