Abu Bakr Boys School

School progress monitoring inspection report

p.1

Abu Bakr Boys School 154-156 Wednesbury Road, Walsall WS1 4JJ

p.1

Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraphs 2(1), 2(1)(a), 3, 3(c), 3(d), 3(g)  The previous standard inspection in February 2024 identified that the curriculum in some subjects lacked clarity. The school had not identified the precise knowledge and skills that pupils need to learn. The curriculum was not effectively implemented and assessment was not used as well as it could have been. The school did not make sure that pupils with special educational needs and/ or disabilities (SEND) received tasks that supported their learning. Consequently, not all pupils achieved well.  Since the last inspection, subject teachers, with the support of the headteacher, have restructured the curriculum in all subjects. There now is a clear focus on the key knowledge and skills pupils need to acquire over time. Consequently, staff in all subjects are clear about what to teach and when. Pupils now achieve positive outcomes when

p.1

Main inspection findings

they leave the school.  The school works well to ensure that resources to support pupils’ learning are well chosen. This includes new books, information and communication technology equipment and textbooks. As a result, pupils benefit from a range of resources that help them to learn.  In the past, staff did not always effectively support pupils with SEND. Systems are in place to identify any pupil who may need extra help. All staff have received appropriate training such as how to effectively check what pupils have learned. This means that they now check what pupils can do and have learned. Overall, staff adapt their teaching effectively to close pupils’ emerging learning gaps. As a result, pupils do well and achieve strong outcomes. This includes pupils with SEND.  Pupils at the early stages of reading are now well supported. The school has engaged with primary colleagues in the trust to support this work. For example, all staff have had

p.1

Main inspection findings

phonics training. Pupils entering the school are checked to ascertain their level of reading. Staff then put interventions in place to help anyone who needs to catch up. Additionally, all pupils in key stage 3 have a weekly literacy and numeracy lesson where basic skills are practised. As a result of this work, pupils catch up and do well.  The school has introduced a new policy to help staff focus on how pupils present their work. This is having a positive impact. Pupils’ work is of good quality. They have many opportunities to write at length about their learning in many subjects. Pupils’ books are neat, and generally, pupils take pride in their work.  These independent school standards (the standards) are now met.

p.1

Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7(a), 7(b), 32(1)(c)  There is a safeguarding policy in place that adheres to current government guidance as issued by the Secretary of State. It is published on the school’s website. Copies are provided to parents and/or carers on request.  The school has a strong safeguarding culture. Staff demonstrate high levels of vigilance and are alert to signs that a pupil may need help. Adults know what to do if they are concerned about a pupil, and they report matters quickly. Leaders work well with external agencies when necessary to ensure that pupils receive the support that they need.  These standards continue to be met.

p.2

Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b)  At the time of the previous inspection, it was found that the proprietor did not ensure that all the standards were met consistently. Leaders did not demonstrate the knowledge and skills to ensure the standards were met.  Since then, the proprietor has employed new staff, provided staff training and invested in the school site. There is now a clear focus on pupils’ achievements. As a result, pupils’ outcomes by the time they leave the school have significantly improved.  Leaders have successfully maintained their focus on improving the quality of education. They have implemented a well-considered school action plan and made regular checks on the impact of these actions. This has included leaders ensuring that the planned curriculum is taught and that staff have the expertise to implement the curriculum well.

p.2

Main inspection findings

In addition, the school’s work to monitor the impact that the curriculum has on pupils’ learning is now well established.  The headteacher has raised expectations of staff and pupils. Teachers have had the training they need to support pupils’ learning. Pupils’ work is of good quality and they achieve well.  The proprietor and leaders have worked effectively to improve standards at the school. As a result, the previously unmet standards are now met.

p.2

Main inspection findings

Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  The school has an accessibility plan that fulfils the requirements of schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010.

p.2

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. This included the standards and requirements that the school was judged to not comply with at the previous inspection. Not all of the standards and associated requirements were checked during this inspection.

p.3

Part 1. Quality of education provided

 2(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if- – 2(1)(a) the proprietor ensures that a written policy on the curriculum, supported by appropriate plans and schemes of work, which provides for the matters specified in sub- paragraph (2) is drawn up and implemented effectively; and  3 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that the teaching at the school- – 3(c) involves well planned lessons and effective teaching methods, activities and management of class time; – 3(d) shows a good understanding of the aptitudes, needs and prior attainments of the pupils, and ensures that these are taken into account in the planning of lessons; – 3(g) demonstrates that a framework is in place to assess pupils’ work regularly and thoroughly and use information from that assessment to plan teaching so that pupils can progress;

p.3

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

p.3

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.

p.4

School details

Annual fees (day pupils) £3,500 to £4,000

p.4

School details

Date of previous standard inspection 27 to 29 February 2024

p.4

Information about this school

 Abu Bakr Boys School is an independent Islamic day school that caters for boys aged 11 to 16. The school is part of the Abu Bakr Trust.  The school operates from a number of mobile classrooms and premises at the back of 154 Wednesbury Road, Walsall WS1 4JJ.  The school received its last full inspection in February 2024 and was judged requires improvement for the quality of education and leadership and management.  The school does not use any alternative provision.

p.4

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 independent school standards and other requirements that it was judged to not comply with at its previous inspection.  This progress monitoring inspection was carried out without notice and lasted one day.  This was the school’s first monitoring inspection since its last standard inspection in February 2024, when it was judged requires improvement.  The school was required to prepare an action plan as a result of non-compliance with the standards following the inspection in February 2024. The proposed action plan was evaluated as acceptable in June 2024 and was accepted by the Department for Education.  The inspector met with the headteacher, the designated safeguarding lead and other school leaders. The inspector also spoke with a number of other staff who were on site

p.5

Information about this inspection

on the day.  The inspector checked the school’s curriculum policy and subject plans. The inspector visited a sample of lessons and spoke to pupils about their learning.  The inspector toured the school’s premises and reviewed the school’s accessibility plan.  To evaluate the effectiveness of safeguarding, the inspector reviewed the single central record; took account of the views of leaders, staff and pupils; and considered the extent to which the school has created an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts pupils’ interests first.

p.5

Inspection team

Bianka Zemke, lead inspector His 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 .

p.5

Inspection team

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.

p.6

Inspection team

You can also use Parent View to find out what other parents and carers think about schools in England. You can visit www.parentview.ofsted.gov.uk , or look for the link on the main Ofsted website: www.gov.uk/ofsted .

p.6

Inspection team

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.

p.6

Inspection team

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open- government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.6

Inspection team

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

Inspection team

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.6