Al-Ashraf Secondary School for Girls

School progress monitoring inspection report

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Al-Ashraf Secondary School for Girls Sinope Street, Gloucester, Gloucestershire GL1 4AW

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraphs 2(1)(a) to 2(1)(b)(ii), 3(a) to (g), 3(i) and 3(j)  At the previous inspection in April 2024, the independent school standards (the standards) in Part 1 were met. However, the proprietor body was required to submit an action plan to the Department of Education (DfE) to address Part 8’s unmet standards. The action plan outlined how the proprietor would improve the art and design curriculum. This action plan section lacked sufficient detail as to how this would be achieved. Therefore, this part of the action plan required modifications.  The modified action plan relating to improvements to these standards has been implemented.  The school’s new art and design curriculum is carefully sequenced and designed to meet the needs of pupils. Staff have completed training to effectively teach the curriculum and regularly check pupils’ knowledge. Gaps in pupils’ knowledge, skills and subject-specific

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Main inspection findings

vocabulary are identified and rectified appropriately. Consequently, pupils are developing a secure knowledge of the art curriculum.  Links with artists in the local community and wider world are being established to engage and interest pupils in different art forms. Pupils study artists and artwork from a wide range of cultures and faiths supporting the development of their understanding of the fundamental British values. Pupils enjoy learning art and exploring their own and others’ creativity.  These standards continue to be met. Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7 to 7(b)  At the last standard inspection, safeguarding was judged to be effective and all relevant standards relating to the welfare, health and safety of pupils were found to be met. However, some minor improvements were required during the inspection to improve safeguarding record-keeping.  The proprietor’s oversight of safeguarding arrangements has been strengthened.

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Main inspection findings

Members of the governing body have undertaken appropriate training to ensure that they know and understand the relevant standards in Parts 3 and 5. This has enabled governors to complete regular checks on behalf of the proprietor. They provide assurances that school policies are implemented promptly, securely and consistently. Paragraphs 11, 12, 13 and 16 to 16(b)  The proprietor did not ensure that the written health and safety policy was implemented effectively at the time of the previous inspection. Record-keeping relating to the school’s maintenance checks was incomplete. This meant that actions were required during the previous inspection to improve the premises and record to meet these standards.  Since that inspection, the proprietor has supported the school to increase its capacity to monitor and ensure compliance with the standards relating to the welfare, health and safety of pupils. For example, regular checks of fire safety equipment are completed,

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Main inspection findings

accurately recorded and actioned in line with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.  These standards continue to be met. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 23(1) to (1)(c), 23(2), 24(1) to (1)(b), 25 to 29(1)(b) and 31(a) to 31(c)  An effective programme of maintenance and repair has been rolled out since the previous inspection. Following adjustments made to storage areas during the last inspection the school site remains clean and clear of clutter. Facilities are suitable for pupils and staff, including the outdoor space and indoor lighting, ventilation and room acoustics.  Appropriate toilet and washing facilities with hot and cold water continue to be provided for the sole use of pupils.  Drinking water facilities are provided.  Accommodation for the medical examination and treatment of pupils is suitable. A wash basin is in the room and toilets are located nearby. First aid kits are readily available

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Main inspection findings

throughout the school. Medicines are now stored and administered following the school’s policy.  These standards continue to be met Part 6. Provision of information Paragraph 32(1) and 32(1)(c)  The safeguarding policy is published on the school’s website and complies with current guidelines.  This standard continues to be met. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1) to 34(1)(b)  These standards were unmet at the school’s inspection in April 2024. They were identified as unmet because too many adjustments were needed while inspectors were onsite. The proprietor had not ensured that the school had a secure knowledge and understanding of the requirements of the standards, including record-keeping relating to the premises and safeguarding.  The proprietor took immediate action to rectify the shortfalls identified during the previous inspection. This included increasing the capacity of the school leadership team.

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Main inspection findings

Alongside governors, school leaders have implemented the well-considered action plan.  Leaders and governors have worked with external agencies to improve their knowledge and understanding of how to meet the standards. For example, staff and governors work with Gloucestershire local authority representatives to secure their knowledge of the school’s safeguarding roles and responsibilities.  Appropriate checks, record-keeping and timely responses are now in place to ensure that the standards are met consistently.  The proprietor has shown a demonstrable commitment to sustaining these improvements through targeted professional development opportunities, regular monitoring of the school’s actions, effective evaluation of the school’s impact on maintaining the quality of education, improving the school site and safeguarding record- keeping.  The standards found to be unmet in Part 8 at the last standard inspection are now met.

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Main inspection findings

Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  Inspection evidence confirms that the proprietor has ensured that all standards in this part continue to be met. The school continues to meet the requirements of Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010.

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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. 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.

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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-

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

– 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.

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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) £2,500 - £3,500

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School details

Email address apatel@al-ashraf.gloucs.sch.uk

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 23 to 25 April 2024

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Information about this school

 The school is an independent Muslim day school for girls aged 11 to 16 that opened in 1994.  The proprietor is the Al-Madani Educational Trust. The trust has operated the school since 2010. The trustees delegate the governance of the school to a governing body.  The school operates from one site off Sinope Street, Widden Street, Gloucester GL1 4AW. This is a Victorian school building in the centre of Gloucester.  The school provides a curriculum in Islamic studies known as the ‘Islamiat’ for approximately one fifth of pupils’ time in school. Pupils receive a secular academic curriculum for the remainder of the school week.  The school does not use any alternative provision.  At the time of this inspection, no pupils were attending who had an education, health and care plan.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was carried out at the request of the DfE, which is 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.  The DfE required the school to prepare an action plan to show how the unmet standards would be addressed. The plan was evaluated by Ofsted in July 2024 and judged to be acceptable with modifications. It was approved by the DfE in August 2024.  This was the first progress monitoring visit since the school was judged to require improvement in April 2024. The inspection was conducted with no notice.  In order to check compliance with the independent school standards, the inspector met with the headteacher, other senior leaders, governors and the chair of governors as a representative of the proprietor body and spoke with staff and pupils. The inspector

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Information about this inspection

visited assembly and looked at examples of pupils' art and design work; reviewed a range of documents regarding safety and safeguarding, including the single central record and toured the school site.

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Inspection team

Marie Thomas, 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 .

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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.

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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 .

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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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