The British Muslim School

Boarding progress monitoring inspection report The British Muslim School 14 March 2023

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Latifiah Fultali Complex, Lodge Road, West Bromwich, West Midlands B70 8NX

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Main inspection findings

This monitoring visit was completed at the request of the Department for Education to monitor progress since the last full inspection. At that inspection, inspectors noted nine breaches of national minimum standards. They also raised two points of improvement. At this visit, six of the breaches of national minimum standards and both points of improvement are met. Three national minimum standards were not met. In September 2022, changes in the national minimum standards were introduced. The three national minimum standards that are not met are restated under the new standards.

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Main inspection findings

School leaders have begun work on improving the boarding accommodation. They have repaired damaged walls and painted throughout. They have also rearranged bedrooms so that there is more space for children, and corridors are clear of furniture. Leaders have better considered fire risks, and fire doors are now accessible so that children and staff can leave quickly if needed. While there are improvements, the boarding accommodation is not yet of a good quality throughout for children. There are further works planned in the coming months.

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Main inspection findings

Leaders have reviewed fire safety in the school. There are now regular checks, and escape routes are clear. Children are also clear about how to evacuate from the building if they need to.

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Main inspection findings

Leaders have utilised staff more efficiently so that children can have more access to different activities. Due to the winter weather, leaders have regularly booked the sports hall at the local leisure centre so that children can play football, basketball and badminton. Children appreciate this access to increased activities. However, they are still keen to have more opportunities made available to them.

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Main inspection findings

Governors have visited the boarding accommodation several times since the full inspection. They provide feedback to the headteacher and gain insight into the working of the school. Leaders are developing their oversight of practice with improved monitoring systems. This means that they now have better oversight of the items required by the national minimum standards.

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Main inspection findings

Recruitment practice remains variable. Leaders have improved the documentation to support the process of recruitment. However, they have not yet addressed all concerns noted at the last inspection. For example, all relevant staff still do not have the correct level of Disclosure and Barring Service check and some references remain unclear. As a result, the school is still not adhering to statutory guidance regarding recruitment. Leaders have supported staff to develop their practice through training opportunities. This helps them to be better able to support children as needed.

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Main inspection findings

Leaders have a system in place to oversee medication, and their storage is well organised. Staff know what medication children take, and when. Children are also knowledgeable about their own health needs and medication. They inform staff if they use medication, such as inhalers, that they keep with them so that staff can record this. However, the recording system remains complicated, and records are kept in more than one place. In addition, records are not well organised or easy to navigate. This does not detract from the staff knowledge, which mitigates this shortfall.

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boarding schools

Standards that were not met at the previous inspection (previous national minimum standard relating to this standard is in brackets)

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boarding schools

 2.4 The school’s leadership and management fulfil their responsibilities consistently and effectively so that the standards are met. (National minimum standard 13.4)

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boarding schools

 4.4 Boarding houses and other accommodation provided for boarders are well lit, heated and ventilated, cleaned and maintained, and reasonable adjustments are made to provide accessible accommodation for any boarders with disabilities. (National minimum standard 5.4)

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boarding schools

 19.1 Schools operate safer recruitment and adopt recruitment procedures in line with the regulatory requirements and having regard to relevant guidance issued by the Secretary of State. (National minimum standard 14.1)

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schools (national minimum standard prior to September 2022)

Standards that are now met from this visit (previous NMS relating to this standard is in brackets)

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schools (national minimum standard prior to September 2022)

 10.2 The school complies with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and ensures alerting systems are accessible and there are clear evacuation plans for all children subject to their needs. (National minimum standard 7.1)

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schools (national minimum standard prior to September 2022)

 18.2 All boarders are able to access a good range and choice of activities outside teaching time, including sufficient and suitably timed free time each day. Suitable risk assessments are in place and followed for any activities that may put boarders at risk of harm. These should not prevent children from having experiences that provide challenge and adventure. (National minimum standard 10.1)

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schools (national minimum standard prior to September 2022)

 2.1 The school’s governing body and/or proprietor monitors the effectiveness of the leadership, management and delivery of the boarding and welfare provision in the school, and takes appropriate action where necessary. (National minimum standard 13.1)

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schools (national minimum standard prior to September 2022)

 2.8 The records specified in Appendix B are maintained and monitored by the school and action taken as appropriate. (National minimum standard 13.9)

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schools (national minimum standard prior to September 2022)

 20.1 Any staff member or volunteer employed or volunteering in a position working with boarders has a job description reflecting their duties, receives induction training in boarding when newly appointed, and receives regular reviews of their boarding practice, with opportunities for training and continual professional development in boarding. (National minimum standard 15.1)  20.3 The staff supervising boarders outside teaching time are sufficient in number, training and experience for the age, number and individual needs of boarders, and the locations and activities involved. (National minimum standard 15.3)

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Points of Improvement

 Ensure that appropriate recording systems are in place for the list of issues to be monitored by the school contained within the National Minimum Standards for Boarding Schools 2015, and any other areas that are monitored by the school relating to boarding.

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Points of Improvement

 Ensure that the school holds accurate records of any stocks of students’ medications.

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School details

Unique reference number 135792 Social care unique reference number 1267532 DfE registration number 333/6005 Inspection number 10275731 The inspection of boarding provision was carried out under the Children Act 1989, as amended by the Care Standards Act 2000, having regard to the national minimum standards for boarding schools.

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School details

Type of school Other Independent School School status Independent boarding school Age range of pupils 11 to 16 Gender of pupils Boys Number of pupils on the school roll 82 Number of boarders on roll 40 Headteacher Muhammad Kadir Al Hasan Head of boarding Muhammad Kamal Telephone number 0121 516 2264 Website www.thebritishmuslimschool.co.uk Email address principal@thebritishmuslimschool.co.uk Date of previous boarding inspection 24 to 26 May 2022

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Information about this school

 The school is an independent boarding and day school for male Muslim children aged between 11 and 16 years. There are 82 students on roll, of whom 40 board. The school is approved for 40 students to board. Parents pay the costs of education and boarding, and students attend from all areas of the country. There are currently no students with education, health and care plans.  The boarding provision is in the school building, with children of the same ages sharing large bedrooms.  The head of boarding has been in post since before the last inspection.

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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 national minimum standards that it was judged to not comply with at its previous inspection.

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Inspection team

Karol Keenan, lead inspector Social Care Regulatory Inspector Jessica Forshaw Social Care Regulatory Inspection Manager 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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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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