Madinatul Uloom Al Islamiya School

Madinatul Uloom Al Islamiya School Heath Lane, Summerfield, Kidderminster, Worcestershire DY10 4BS

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7, 7(a), 7(b), 14, 16(a), 16(b) and 32(1)(c) (of Part 6. Provision of information)  The school’s safeguarding arrangements are effective.  The safeguarding policy has been updated to ensure it reflects current guidance from the Department for Education (DfE). The school does not have a website, so a paper copy is made available to parents and carers in hard copy on request.  Leaders have ensured that staff undertake appropriate safeguarding training. This includes the designated safeguarding lead (DSL) and the deputy DSL, who have both completed essential training for the role. Recently, the DSL has had training about harmful sexual behaviours; there are firm plans to ensure that this training is shared with all staff during this term.  Staff know how to spot the signs of abuse and say that they are encouraged to report any concerns about a pupil’s welfare, regardless of how small their concern might

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Main inspection findings

seem. The pastoral team meets regularly to discuss vulnerable pupils in order to identify any extra support that is needed. The DSL has recently improved pastoral team records of meetings and the specific actions taken to help pupils. These documents show that concerns are taken seriously, and appropriate action is taken to support pupils who are at risk of harm.  Pupils feel safe at the school. They say that there is always an adult who can help if they have any worries, including if they are feeling homesick. One pupil said, ‘They know just what to say to make us feel better.’ The site is secure. Older pupils say they feel that site security has got much better over the last few years.  Pupils are supervised well during lessons and in less structured times. Leaders shared a ‘duty rota’ for breaktimes and lunchtimes that covers all the areas pupils can choose to spend their breaktimes.  Risk assessments for on-site and off-site activities are in place and are informed by

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Main inspection findings

known or anticipated risks. They are reviewed regularly. Leaders have put appropriate control measures in place to try to keep pupils as safe as possible.  The proprietor body has ensured that these standards are met. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 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(2)(f), 18(3), 20(6), 20(6)(a), 20(6)(a)(i), 20(6)(a)(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), 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 single central record of pre-employment checks on staff contains the required information. It is maintained well and understood by leaders who are responsible for ensuring that is compliant with current guidelines.

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Main inspection findings

 The DSL, a member of the administrative team and two members of the board of trustees have completed safer recruitment training.  Leaders thoroughly understand the checks that must be carried out to ensure that all staff, trustees and volunteers are suitable to work with pupils. This includes requesting two references prior to interview and obtaining them before employees take up their post. Leaders demonstrated how they regularly review and update the school’s recruitment policies and procedures.  The proprietor body has ensured that these standards are met. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b) and 34(1)(c)  The members of the proprietor body, including trustees and the on-site school leaders, have the necessary knowledge and skills to ensure that the independent school standards that were checked during this inspection are met consistently.

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Main inspection findings

 Leaders understand their responsibility to ensure that pupils are kept safe. It is clear that pupils’ welfare is a priority for staff at the school. Pupils are happy to come to school and are adamant that they are looked after very well. Curriculum plans show that pupils are taught how to keep themselves safe. For example, pupils learn about online safety, including how to report any bullying. Older pupils demonstrated a good understanding of what a safe and healthy relationship looks and feels like. They have been taught about the crucial importance of consent.  Staff enjoy working at the school. They say that leaders have an ‘open door’ approach and that they are confident that any concerns or worries they might have would be taken seriously and dealt with appropriately.  The proprietor body has ensured that these standards are met.

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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

School status Independent boarding school

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School details

Of which, number on roll in sixth form 33

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School details

Proprietor Madinatul Uloom Al Islamiya Board of Trustees Chair Maksut Gangat

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School details

Dates of previous standard inspection 8 to 10 October 2019

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Information about this school

 The last full standard inspection was in October 2019. A school and boarding emergency inspection was completed in July 2021. At that inspection, the school met all of the independent school standards that were checked. The school also met all of the national minimum standards that were checked.  The school is an independent boarding and day school for Muslim pupils and students aged 11 to 28. The majority of pupils are boarders.  There are 195 pupils on roll in the boarding provision.  The boarding accommodation was subject to a separate inspection week beginning 18 October 2021.  The school and the boarding provision are situated in the grounds of a former teacher training college on the outskirts of Kidderminster in Worcestershire.  The school does not use any alternative provision.

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Information about this inspection

 This emergency inspection was conducted at the request of the DfE as a result of complaints relating to safeguarding and pupils’ welfare. This inspection was conducted with no notice.  The inspector held meetings with the headteacher and the DSL.  The inspector carried out a tour of the site and observed pupils in lessons and in other less structured times. The inspector spoke with two groups of pupils about their experiences at the school.  The inspector reviewed a range of documentation relating to safeguarding. This included the checks leaders make prior to employment on staff’s suitability to work with children.  At the same time that this inspection was carried out, the school was also being inspected under the social care common inspection framework. There will be a separate report for the social care inspection.

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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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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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