Darul Uloom

Inspection report for boarding school: Darul Uloom 1 Darul Uloom Holcombe Hall, 149 Holcombe Old Road, Holcombe, Bury, Lancashire BL8 4NG

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this boarding school

Darul Uloom is an independent boarding school. The boarding accommodation is on the same site as the school.

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Information about this boarding school

At the time of the inspection, there were 373 students aged from 11 to 23 on roll at the school and 191 boarders.

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Information about this boarding school

The inspectors only inspected the social care provision at this school.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers requires improvement to be good

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good

The boarding school provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Date of last inspection: 30 January 2024 Inspection report for boarding school: Darul Uloom 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have a positive experience of boarding at this school. Children speak highly of their boarding provision and the learning experiences. They say that since being at this school, their confidence has grown, they have learned new skills, and they feel well prepared for moving to university and adulthood.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children receive good-quality care and support. Boarding staff build positive relationships with the children, and, as a result, they know them well. Children say they can talk to any of the boarding staff if they have any concerns.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Prospective boarders are given the opportunity to visit the school before they formally start. Some staff members are former boarders at the school, which helps them empathise with the children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Education attendance is good, and children make good progress in both their academic and religious studies. Some of the boarding staff work in the school, which promotes stability and consistency for children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

There are detailed health plans in place for each child. These help staff understand each child’s health needs. Medication is stored securely, and clear records are maintained of all medication dispensed. The school medical officer carries out regular audits of medication to ensure that practice remains safe.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The staff provide a very clear daily structure. Boarders understand the expectations, including daily tasks and routines. These include ample time for schoolwork, religious studies, and activities.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Equality and diversity are real strengths. Children celebrate their heritage and learn about others’ beliefs.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Mealtimes are sociable occasions when everyone eats and chats together. Children are generally very positive about the meals provided.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff and leaders have not ensured that the boarding accommodation is of a good standard. Leaders have invested in some areas of the boarding house, such as new windows and a regular cleaner. However, in places, the accommodation remains dirty and in poor repair. For example, some walls require plastering, there are visible vermin repellents in bedrooms, and floor tiles are dirty and peeling away from the floor. As a result, it is not the homely or inviting environment that staff want for children. Inspection report for boarding school: Darul Uloom 3

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

All children spoken to said that they are safe at the school. They said they are comfortable speaking to staff about any issues and concerns. Children know who the independent listener is, and they know how to contact them. This helps children to feel safe and secure in the boarding provision.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Boarding staff take appropriate steps to keep children safe. Children are encouraged to take responsibility for their own safety, but this is proportionate to their age and developing maturity. For example, younger children receive greater oversight, appropriate to their age. The school and boarding rules are clear and help boarders understand why safeguarding measures and boundaries are in place.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Behaviour is seen as exemplary. Children are observed to be polite and considerate to each other as well as members of staff and visitors. There is an embedded culture of mutual respect in the school. Consequences are rarely imposed, and when they are, they are almost exclusively related to behaviour in the boarding area. Consequences are based on restorative practices using a pastoral approach. This helps children understand how their behaviour affects others.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Staff and children are clear that there is zero tolerance for bullying across the whole school community. Children say that bullying is rare, and they know who to approach if they need to report any concerns.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The boarding staff demonstrate a clear understanding of safety around the use of electronic devices and are alert to potential risks. Monitoring and internet filters protect children while they are online, ensuring their safety, and this is reinforced in school.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

No children have gone missing from the school or the boarding provision. The staff understand the procedure to follow should such an incident occur.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Staff ensure that visitors are closely monitored, signed in and chaperoned. They also practise the home’s fire evacuation procedure and test the system on a regular basis. Children also participate in fire drills so that they know what to do in the event of an emergency.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Safer recruitment practices are understood and implemented effectively. All necessary checks are carried out to reduce the risk of unsuitable people working in the school.

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good

The head of boarding has been in post since June 2020. He also is one of the designated safeguarding leads at the school and carries out other day school Inspection report for boarding school: Darul Uloom 4 responsibilities. He communicates calmly and clearly and is considered in his approach. He is experienced and qualified to carry out the role.

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good

The senior leadership team is ambitious to drive forward improvements and raise standards while strengthening and preserving the ethos of the school. Senior leaders have a clear vision to continue the trajectory of change to embed improvements in the culture. Despite this, there are areas of leadership that require improvement, such as monitoring and oversight of the boarding accommodation.

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good

Staff understand their roles and receive regular training and termly supervision to ensure that they are competent and knowledgeable and work as a team.

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good

An integrated staff team works across the school and the boarding facility. Staff say that they are proud to work at the school. They feel included in decisions and appreciated by leaders. They report feeling valued, respected and inspired to provide good-quality care to children.

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good

Trustees are committed to the school. They know the school and its history well. They also understand its current challenges, so they can offer support to leaders. The trustees recognise the value of boarding. This relates not only to the effect it has on children’s educational progress but also to the significant effect it has on their lives and personal growth.

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good

Staff work in partnership with parents and external professionals. This means that children receive well-organised care and education. Parents are positive about the care their children receive. They say that the boarding provision provides huge benefits for their children, including increased learning and greater independence. Inspection report for boarding school: Darul Uloom 5

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schools

The school does not meet the following national minimum standards for boarding schools:

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schools

 The school’s leadership and management fulfil their responsibilities consistently and effectively so that the standards are met. (Boarding schools: national minimum standards 2.4)  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. (Boarding schools: national minimum standards 4.4)

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people using the social care common inspection framework. This inspection was carried out under the Children Act 1989 to assess the effectiveness of the service, how it meets the core functions of the service as set out in legislation, and to consider how well it complies with the national minimum standards. Inspection report for boarding school: Darul Uloom 6

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Boarding school details

Social care unique reference number: SC008476

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Boarding school details

Email address: headteacher@duloom.org.uk

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Inspectors

Dave Carrigan, Social Care Inspector (lead) Simon Jones, Social Care Inspector Michelle Bacon, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for boarding school: Darul Uloom 7 to 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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