Al-Burhan Grammar School

Al-Burhan Grammar School Spring Road Centre, 258 Spring Road, Tyseley, Birmingham, West Midlands B11 3DW

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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)(e)(i), 2(2)(e)(ii), 2(2)(e)(iii), 2(2)(h) and 2(2)(i)  The Department for Education (DfE) commissioned Ofsted to review several aspects of the school’s effectiveness following the receipt of a complaint. The inspector considered: the quality of education and resources; the school’s health and safety arrangements, including those for the premises; anti-bullying approaches; and the effectiveness of leadership and management.  These standards were met at the standard inspection in March 2018.  The proprietor and staff have made sure that a curriculum policy and associated schemes of work and plans are in place and delivered effectively. These are closely allied to the National Curriculum. Pupils study a wide range of subjects that include

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Main inspection findings

English, mathematics, science (including computer science), humanities, physical education and art. The school does not teach music or drama. Pupils can follow these subjects as enrichment activities.  The schemes of work and plans consider and cater for the pupils’ needs and abilities. Pupils who spoke with the inspector said that the learning was challenging but enjoyable. It is evident from pupils’ work that their literacy and numeracy skills are developed well. The school has appropriate plans in place to further develop pupils’ wider reading and appreciation of different genres.  The personal, social, health and economic education programme covers a wide range of topics. These include safety, welfare, relationships, sex education, respect for others and careers education, information, advice and guidance. Pupils who spoke with the inspector talked confidently about how to stay safe and their next steps in

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Main inspection findings

education or employment and training. They also spoke eloquently about the importance of respecting all people, including those who hold different views, beliefs or values. Information provided by the school shows that almost all the pupils move onto further education when they leave Al-Burhan.  These standards remain met. Paragraphs 3, 3(a), 3(b), 3(c), 3(d), 3(e), 3(f), 3(g), 3(h), 3(i), 3(j) and 4  These standards were met at the standard inspection in March 2018.  Pupils who spoke with the inspector said that teaching at the school is ‘really good’ and helps them to make progress. Pupils said that they feel well prepared for their next steps, whether that be moving from one year to the next or to further education.  Pupil’s positive behaviour and engagement in their work allows learning to happen. Pupils talk enthusiastically about what they have learned and are learning.  Staff have ensured that the essential knowledge pupils need to know to make further

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progress is carefully planned and organised. Staff have thought carefully about the time allocated to each subject and topic. Pupils’ work builds on what they have learned before. Pupils have access to a range of suitable resources, such as textbooks to support their learning. Each classroom has an interactive whiteboard or screen attached to a computer. Pupils told the inspector that the resources were of a good quality but that occasionally they had to share worksheets.  During the COVID-19 (coronavirus) restrictions, staff delivered the usual curriculum through remote learning. Pupils told the inspector that this worked well as they had a mix of live and recorded lessons, as well as electronic access to resources and lesson plans through a commercial online learning platform.  Staff complete a range of appropriate training. More experienced staff support colleagues new to the school through one-to-one coaching and mentoring. Staff who

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Main inspection findings

spoke with the inspector demonstrated secure subject knowledge, an understanding of the assessment requirements and how to cater for pupils’ needs and abilities.  Leaders routinely check staff’s work and pupils’ learning. They use the information from these checks to share effective practice and to identify colleagues who need support. On occasion, the proprietor has released staff who were not working to the school’s expectations and standards.  These standards remain met. Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7, 7(a), 7(b), 9, 9(a), 9(b), 9(c), 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 16(a) and 16(b) [including Part 6. Provision of information 32(1), 32(1)(c)]  Because of the issues identified in a complaint, the DfE asked that the inspector check the school’s safeguarding policy, health and safety arrangements and anti-bullying approaches.  These standards were met at the standard inspection in March 2018.

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Main inspection findings

 The safeguarding policy was not available on the school’s website at the time of the inspection. This is because the website is being reviewed and is unavailable. A hard copy of the safeguarding policy was, and is, readily available on request.  The safeguarding policy is informed by the latest statutory guidance. Staff have completed suitable safeguarding training and have regular safeguarding updates. Staff are clear about their roles and responsibilities and take their duty to identify and refer safeguarding concerns seriously. Staff are clear about how to record a concern and how to follow this up.  The school has current and up-to-date policies for behaviour, anti-bullying, health and safety (including fire safety), first aid and risk assessment. These policies are implemented effectively.  Information provided by the school shows that pupils behave well. Pupils agree. Pupils who spoke with the inspector said that there is a ‘happy and relaxed atmosphere in

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the school’. Pupils said that bullying is rare because it is dealt with quickly and effectively when it happens. Pupils told the inspector that the relationships among pupils and between staff and pupils are positive. During this inspection, pupils across all year groups were seen working diligently.  The school’s fire safety arrangements comply with government regulations and guidance. The school’s first-aid policy and recording of accidents is suitable.  During this inspection, pupils were well supervised when indoors and outside during breaktimes and lunchtime. Pupils told the inspector that this is normal.  Attendance and admissions registers are kept in line with guidance. The school uses the appropriate DfE attendance and absence codes.  The school’s risk assessments are thorough and detailed. These include risk assessments for fire safety, individual lessons and activities, classrooms, outdoor areas

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and trips and visits.  These standards remain met. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraph 25  The DfE asked the inspector to check that the school’s premises are safe. This was as a result of a complaint the DfE had received about the school’s premises.  This standard was met at the standard inspection in March 2018.  The premises are well maintained, safe, clean and hygienic. For example, the school’s COVID-19 safety arrangements are rigorous and in line with Public Health England guidance. Staff and pupils show a clear understanding of these arrangements and all work together effectively to make sure the school community and visitors are safe.  The inspector visited all the classrooms in the school. There are no hazards in the rooms. All the classrooms have adequate lighting and acoustics and are well resourced.  This standard remains met. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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Paragraph 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b) and 34(1)(c)  Following the receipt of a complaint, the DfE commissioned Ofsted to review several aspects of the school’s effectiveness, including that of leadership and management.  These standards were met at the standard inspection in March 2018.  The chair of the proprietor body, who is also the headteacher, and other leaders have a secure understanding of the independent school standards and the necessary knowledge and expertise to carry out their roles effectively.  Leaders have completed a range of training to support them in their duties. For example, the designated safeguarding leads have completed ‘Prevent’ duty, safer recruitment and mental health first-aid training. Leaders disseminate the information from this training well. Consequently, staff understand their responsibilities in making sure pupils are kept safe. Pupils who spoke to the inspector showed a good

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Main inspection findings

understanding of how to stay safe in a range of situations, for example when working online. Pupils say they feel safe. Staff acting as first-aiders have completed relevant first-aid training and refresher courses.  The premises are safe and secure. Classrooms and other teaching areas are well maintained, clean and hygienic. Potential risks have been identified and arrangements put in place to minimise those risks.  Pupils told the inspector that they enjoy their learning and do well as a result. Staff have made sure that subject content is well organised and structured so that pupils build on their prior learning. Staff routinely check pupils’ knowledge and understanding. They have done this more frequently because of the COVID-19 restrictions and the need to provide remote learning. Pupils have access to a range of suitable and up-to-date resources.  The proprietor and leaders have made sure that the independent school standards

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that were checked remain met.  These standards remain met. Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  Al-Burhan has an accessibility policy and plan that sets out the actions they are taking, and propose to take, to improve participation in the curriculum and access to the premises and information.

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Compliance with regulatory requirements

The school meets 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. 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

Annual fees (day pupils) £4,200–£4,800 pa

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 6–13 March 2018

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Information about this school

 Al-Burhan Grammar School is a selective, Islamic independent day school for girls aged 11 to 16.  The school is located in Tyseley, Birmingham. It opened in 2002 in premises that were once a National Health Service day care centre. The premises have been successfully modified to function as a school.  The school’s mission is ‘to be dedicated to learning as it is the foundation for life’.  The previous standard inspection was conducted on 6 to 13 March 2018. Overall effectiveness was judged as outstanding. This is the first additional inspection since the March 2018 standard inspection.  The headteacher is also the chair of the proprietor body.  The school is registered for 140 pupils. It is operating above its registered capacity as there are currently 152 pupils on roll.  All pupils are from minority ethnic backgrounds.  No pupils have special educational needs and/or disabilities.  No pupils have an education, health and care plan.

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Information about this school

 No pupils are known to be disadvantaged.  No pupils are in the care of the local authority.  The school does not use any alternative provision.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was commissioned by the DfE because of a complaint. The complaint raised concerns about the quality of education, pupils’ welfare, health and safety, the premises and the effectiveness of leadership and management.  Emergency inspections are normally completed without notice. However, in line with the interim phase guidance, the lead inspector telephoned the school to announce the inspection 30 minutes before he arrived at the school.  The inspector met with the chair of the proprietor body, who is also the headteacher. The inspector met with pupils from across the age ranges, staff and leaders, including the designated safeguarding leads, throughout the inspection.  The inspector reviewed a range of documentation including: the safeguarding, curriculum, behaviour, anti-bullying, health and safety, first aid, and risk assessment policies; curriculum plans and associated schemes of work; risk assessments;

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Information about this inspection

admissions and attendance registers; and records of sanctions and safeguarding.  The inspector visited classrooms, toured the premises and observed pupils at breaktime and lunchtime. A selection of pupils’ work was scrutinised.

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Inspection team

Peter Humphries, 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 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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