Jamia Islamia Birmingham

School and boarding material change report

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Jamia Islamia Birmingham Fallows Road, Sparkbrook, Birmingham, West Midlands B11 1PL

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provision is implemented

Boarding provision outcome The school is unlikely to meet the relevant

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7 to 7(b)  The proprietor has not ensured that the school’s arrangements for safeguarding are fit for purpose. The school does not have an effective system that enables pupils to share any concerns they may have about their safety or well-being. One of the main ways for pupils to share concerns is through posting a written note into the school’s ‘concern box’. Inspectors found that this box had not been checked for several months. It contained several safeguarding concerns or allegations against adults; some that required urgent attention. Consequently, pupils have been left at risk of potential harm for an unnecessary and extended period.  The proprietor has not ensured that the school uses its safeguarding systems and information well to identify pupils who may need early support to keep them safe. There is not an attitude of ‘it could happen here’. For example, while there is a system

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Main inspection findings

for filtering and monitoring pupils’ online classroom access, the school does not have effective oversight of the reports produced from the filtering and monitoring software.  The school does not have a systematic and organised way of managing safeguarding information and concerns. The school has recently moved over to a new online system. However, this new system is not well understood by the staff who use it. Some key staff who should be able to easily retrieve safeguarding information, are unable to do so due to access limitations.  The proprietor has made sure that, through training, staff have an awareness of potential safeguarding issues that can put children at risk of harm. However, this training is not put into good practice. Staff do not identify and record concerns to help them build a picture of, and act on, any emerging safeguarding issues. 28 November 2024  The school’s personal, social and health education curriculum includes a range of

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Main inspection findings

safeguarding topics. Pupils show a good awareness of how to keep themselves safe from harm, both online and offline.  The independent school standards (‘the standards’) in this paragraph were met at the school’s last standard inspection in July 2024. The school no longer meets the standards set out in this paragraph. Paragraph 8 to 8(b)  The school’s intended boarding school safeguarding systems are not sufficiently robust to keep children safe. They do not have regard to the national minimum standards (NMS) for Boarding Schools.  The standards in this paragraph are not likely to be met by the school if the Department for Education (DfE) decides to approve the implementation of the material change. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors  The school ensures that all required pre-employment checks are carried out before a member of staff starts work at the school. This includes checks on staff who have

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Main inspection findings

lived or worked overseas. There was an inconsistency on the single central record in the way the abbreviated date of each check had been recorded. For example, some dates were recorded in the order: day/month/year; and others recorded, month/day/year. Leaders intend to resolve this issue immediately after the inspection.  The standards in this paragraph are likely to be met by the school if the DfE decides to approve the implementation of the material change.

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Main inspection findings

Part 6. Provision of information Paragraph 32(1)(c)  The school has a suitable safeguarding policy available to parents and carers which is published on its website.  The standard in this paragraph is likely to be met by the school if the DfE decides to approve the implementation of the material change. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34 to 34(1)(c)  The proprietor has not ensured that safeguarding arrangements are effective; this issue extends to the proposed boarding provision. Management oversight of safeguarding has considerable weaknesses. This means that there is not a culture of vigilance and an ability to deal effectively with concerns raised by pupils.  The proprietor has invested significantly in the new boarding provision. They have decided on staffing and already appointed a head of boarding and other staff. However, refurbishment work is not complete, boarding staff are not sufficiently

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Main inspection findings

knowledgeable to undertake their roles, and there is a lack of recreational space for boarders. 28 November 2024  The proprietor has not ensured that the standards have been met consistently and securely or are likely to be if the material change is agreed by the DfE. The proprietor has not demonstrated a good understanding of all the NMS for boarding.  The standards in this paragraph were met at the school’s last standard inspection in July 2024. The school no longer meets the standards set out in this paragraph and would be unlikely to meet them with regard to the proposed material change.

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Main inspection findings

Boarding provision The likely effectiveness of leaders and managers in ensuring that the national minimum standards are likely to be met National minimum standards 2.4, 2.6, 8.1, 8.2, 16.1, 16.2, 16.3, 18.3

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Main inspection findings

 The head of boarding has worked hard to create systems for monitoring the boarding provision. They clearly have the well-being of children in mind. However, the head of boarding is a teacher who has no experience of managing a boarding provision. He has not yet undertaken any training in the management and practice of boarding. Boarding staff have attended minimal training. Training consists of first aid, medication management and safeguarding children.  The proprietor has not ensured that systems are in place to ensure that children are safe.  Arrangements for safeguarding are aligned with those of the school and were found to be ineffective during this inspection. There is a lack of safe areas indoors and outdoors for boarders to play or congregate. For example, children said that they are not allowed to play outside or in the large indoor area that is reserved for physical education and teaching. Outdoor areas were icy and there was a dead bird on one

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Main inspection findings

playground. This was not removed during the visit. The communal space proposed for boarders is limited to an area where they can make drinks and snacks and do laundry. This is not sufficient for the proposed numbers.  These NMS are not likely to be met by the school if the DfE decides to approve the implementation of the material change.

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Main inspection findings

National minimum standards 1, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.5, 2.7, 2.8, 2.3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.3, 8.4, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18.1, 18.2, 18.4, 18.5, 19, 20, 21

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Main inspection findings

 Parents and children have access to good information about the boarding provision. This will help them to have a good understanding of important information such as the ethos and rules of the school.  The school has systems in place to ensure that inclusion, equality and diversity are part of life in the school.  The boarding house is in the grounds of the school and the areas that have been refurbished have been completed to a high standard. However, the refurbishment work is not yet complete, although boarders will not have access to these areas. There are currently enough furnished dormitories for 12 boarders. However, the furnished dormitories are currently in rooms that are unsuitable because the doors to 28 November 2024 the rooms have plain glass and there is a CCTV camera in each room. The proprietor assured the inspector that the cameras are disconnected and that they will move the furnishings to more suitable rooms on the first floor. Once this has been done, the

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Main inspection findings

boarding house will be suitable for 12 boarders.  The boarding house has a kitchen, but this is not yet in working order. The proprietor said that they plan to have outside caterers do all their catering apart from breakfast. There is a room in which breakfast, snacks and drinks can be made. Drinking water is accessible through water dispensers but these are housed in the shower and toilet areas. The proprietor said that these will be moved to more hygienic areas.  The proprietor has ensured that boarders’ health and well-being is understood by boarding staff.  There are no fire, health and safety concerns in the boarding house.  An independent person has been identified and this person’s contact details have been displayed in the boarding house. Boarders will have regular access to this person and able to contact them if they have any concerns.  Boarders will be able to contact parents via a basic mobile phone (if they have one) or

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Main inspection findings

by asking staff to use the office phone.  A suitable complaints policy is in place.  Policies support the promotion of good behaviour.  Vetting procedures help to prevent unsuitable adults from looking after children.  There are sufficient staff for the initial planned cohort of 12 boarders.  These NMS are likely to be met by the school if the DfE decides to approve the implementation of the material change. However, the boarding provision is currently only set up for 12 boarders, not 100. 28 November 2024

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standards for boarding schools

The school is unlikely to meet the requirements of the schedule to The Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014 (‘the independent school standards’), the national minimum standards for boarding schools and associated requirements that are relevant to the material change, as set out in the annex of this report. 28 November 2024

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School details

Social care unique reference number 2815066

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School details

This inspection was carried out under section 162(4) of the Education Act 2002, the purpose of which is to advise the Secretary of State for Education about the school’s likely compliance with the independent school standards relevant to the material change that the school has applied to make. 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

Email address headteacher@jamia.bham.sch.uk

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School details

Dates of previous standard inspection 2 to 4 July 2024

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Age range of pupils 11 to 19 Not applicable

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils on the school roll 134 Not applicable

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 109 Not applicable

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time pupils 0 Not applicable

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 7 Not applicable

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 0 Not applicable

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils paid for by a local authority with an education, health and care plan 0 Not applicable

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 15 Not applicable

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time teaching staff 9 Not applicable

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 0 5

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Information about this school

 Jamia Islamia Birmingham is an independent Islamic day school for boys aged 11 to 19.  The most recent standard inspection was 2 to 4 July 2024 where the school’s overall effectiveness was judged to be requires improvement.  The school does not use any alternative provision.  The school does not use any external supply staff. 28 November 2024  The school’s proposed boarding house is a purpose-built new building located within the grounds of the school, situated on what was previously part of the school’s playground. 28 November 2024

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was commissioned by the DfE to consider the school’s request for a material change. The proprietor requested to change the school from a day school to a boarding school, with boarding capacity for 100 (initially 12) boarders.  Inspectors identified safeguarding concerns in the school during the inspection which led to inspectors to consider whether the standards relating to safeguarding were currently being met. Inspectors reviewed the single central record; took account of the views of leaders and pupils; and considered the extent to which the school has created an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts pupils’ interests first.  This is the school’s first request for a material change in respect of changing from a day school to a boarding school.  Inspectors conducted a tour of the new boarding accommodation with senior leaders and trustees. They held meetings with leaders and trustees to discuss the proposed

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Information about this inspection

boarding and current safeguarding arrangements. One inspector met with two groups of pupils. Inspectors reviewed school policies and other documentation associated with the proposed boarding provision.

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Inspection team

Tim Hill, lead inspector His Majesty’s Inspector

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Inspection team

Joanne Vyas Social Care Regulatory Inspector 28 November 2024

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

 7 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that- – 7(a) arrangements are made to safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils at the school; and – 7(b) such arrangements have regard to any guidance issued by the Secretary of State.

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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- – 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 – 34(1)(c) actively promote the well-being of pupils.

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The school is unlikely to meet the following independent school standards

 8 Where section 87(1) of the 1989 Act[11] applies in relation to a school the standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that- – 8(a) arrangements are made to safeguard and promote the welfare of boarders while they are accommodated at the school; and – 8(b) such arrangements have regard to the National Minimum Standards for Boarding Schools or, where applicable, the National Minimum Standards for Residential Special Schools.

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boarding schools

– The school’s leadership and management fulfil their responsibilities consistently and effectively so that the standards are met. (NMS 2.4) – Senior boarding staff are knowledgeable and experienced and have undertaken appro- priate training in the management and practice of boarding. They use this to ensure that boarders’ welfare is safeguarded and promoted. (NMS 2.6) – The school should ensure that: - arrangements are made to safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils at the school; and - such arrangements have regard to any guidance issued by the Secretary of State (NMS 8.1) 28 November 2024 – The school should ensure that all staff are aware that safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is everyone’s responsibility throughout the school and the boarding facilities. (NMS 8.2) – The school ensures that all forms of bullying (including cyberbullying, prejudice based and discriminatory), at the school, are prevented in so far as reasonably practicable,

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boarding schools

by the drawing up and implementation of a proactive and effective antibullying strat- egy. The strategy should include accessible and effective systems for children to re- port bullying. (NMS 16.1) – Any instances of bullying are dealt with effectively. Staff take steps to help pupils to overcome the impact of bullying. All school staff are trained to recognise bullying and know who to go to, if required, in order to ensure bullying is dealt with. (NMS 16.2) – The school’s anti-bullying strategy should reflect that unlike at day schools, boarders who are being bullied (offline) cannot escape their bullies for long periods of time as they are not going home as often. (NMS 16.3) – Boarders have access to a range and choice of safe recreational areas, both indoors and outdoors, and there are safe areas at school where boarders can be alone if they wish. (NMS 18.3) 28 November 2024 guidance ‘Raising concerns and making a complaint about Ofsted’, which is available from Ofsted’s

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boarding schools

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boarding schools

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boarding schools

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boarding schools

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boarding schools

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boarding schools

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boarding schools

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