Jamiatul-ilm Wal Huda

Inspection report for boarding school: Jamiatul-ilm Wal Huda 1 Jamiatul-ilm Wal Huda Jamiatul-Ilm Wal-Huda UK 30 Moss Street, Blackburn, Lancashire BB1 5JT

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this boarding school

This independent school serves as a day and boarding school, providing male Muslim students with both an Islamic and secular education. Boarding accommodation for pupils under the age of 18 is located in one of two school buildings. The school has been purpose built. As well as classrooms and boarding provision, the school has its own mosque. Currently, the school has a total of 360 pupils, with 97 boarding pupils under the age of 18 and 59 boarding pupils over the age of 18.

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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 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: 22 November 2022 Inspection report for boarding school: Jamiatul-ilm Wal Huda 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children enjoy boarding at this school. Children told the inspectors that they value the relationships that they have with each other and with the staff caring for them. Children learn to become more responsible, to be trusted to be self-disciplined and commit to the daily routines of boarding life. Their experiences contribute to a marked improvement in confidence, social skills and independence.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The admissions process is child focused, and care is taken to ensure that children are made to feel welcome and settle quickly. Prospective boarders are given the opportunity to visit the school before formally starting. There is also careful consideration of the support that children might need to be able to live together safely. Older students play a significant role in welcoming new children to the school. All the younger children spoken to said that the older students are friendly, welcoming and supportive.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Education attendance is good, and children make good progress with their academic and religious studies. Some staff teach in the school and then work in the boarding area. This joined-up approach means that children can develop and build positive relationships with staff who they trust and know well.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s views are sought, and staff act on requests that they make. Children highlighted different members of staff, including teachers, care staff and the independent listener, who they can talk to if they have any concerns.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children benefit from healthy and nutritious meals that meet their dietary preferences and cultural needs. The school council has made suggestions about the food, which has influenced changes.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

There is a range of extra-curricular activities available that promote children’s emotional and physical development effectively.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children can contact their parents by using their own mobile phones or the free to use boarding house telephone.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Leaders have made considerable changes to the boarding accommodation. A programme of refurbishment has taken place, which includes replacing windows and carpets, replacing all children’s lockers, updating bathrooms and painting and freshening the environment. The work undertaken has resulted in significant improvements to the boarding environment for children. However, there are no systems in place to ensure that toilet and shower areas are regularly cleaned. This has resulted in some of the toilets and showers being in a dirty condition. Inspection report for boarding school: Jamiatul-ilm Wal Huda 3

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

Children’s safety and well-being are prioritised by the senior leadership and staff team. Children said that because of this, they feel safe within the school. Children say that they have a range of adults to speak with if they have any concerns or worries. There is also a secure postbox that they can use to share confidential concerns with the headteacher directly.

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

The provider’s approach to safeguarding is thorough. The designated safeguarding lead is knowledgeable about the risks that children face. The strategies to reduce those risks are known to the wider staff team. Staff undertake annual training on safeguarding matters, with refresher sessions during the year.

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

There have not been any episodes of children going missing, and there has been no need for any physical interventions. Children are polite and respectful to each other, staff and visitors. There are systems in place to address poor behaviour, which children understand. The school uses merits and awards to promote positive behaviour and respect throughout the boarding provision and school. The welfare team analyses behaviours and identifies areas where children may need additional support.

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

Staff work with children to help them understand and recognise what bullying is and why it is unacceptable. Staff use consequences effectively to help children learn from any incidents and hold conflict resolution meetings as needed. As a result, significant incidents are rare.

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

Systems for recording and administering medication are clear. Staff receive training on how to administer medication, and there is a designated lead for medical issues who understands children’s health needs well. However, while information is captured clearly in central records, there are no names of the staff members who have administered the medication. This does not promote accountability or a clear audit trail.

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

The procedures for recruitment are robust and follow the school’s policy for safer recruitment. The single central record contains all the relevant pre-employment checks on staff.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The headteacher leads and manages the school effectively. The school has seen changes in the structure of the senior leadership team since the last inspection. This has led to an improvement in the quality of care provided for the children who board at the school.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff speak positively of their experiences of working in the setting and say that their well-being is prioritised by leaders. They feel well supported by leaders, the senior Inspection report for boarding school: Jamiatul-ilm Wal Huda 4 leadership team and by one another. They all take pride in where they work and the meaningful work they do with the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive a wide range of training. Leaders have good oversight and ensure that training is relevant to the staff and children’s needs. Staff say that they find training helpful and that children benefit from the support of staff who understand their roles and responsibilities well.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff have regular meetings where they discuss boarding matters and practice. However, leaders have not implemented regular and recorded individual support meetings for staff to challenge practice and identify any development needs. The boarding provision is integral to the school, as most of the children board. The head of boarding oversees the management of the boarding provision with the support of the headteacher. This provides accountability and line management for staff.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Governors demonstrate a good understanding of what is happening in the boarding provision and are clear about the changes that have occurred since the previous inspection. They regularly discuss boarding, and governors have an impressive understanding of the current strengths and areas for improvement. Governors are present and use opportunities to discuss any concerns that children may have.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

An independent visitor has been appointed, and their visits provide an additional layer of scrutiny and oversight of the boarding provision. Children confirmed that they have contact details for the visitor.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The children and parents that were spoken with are positive about the staff and the school. One parent said, ‘Great school. Great atmosphere. Loving and warming atmosphere. Supportive staff. Caring and strong leadership.’ Inspection report for boarding school: Jamiatul-ilm Wal Huda 5

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schools

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

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schools

 2.4 The school’s leadership and management fulfil their responsibilities consistently and effectively so that the standards are met.  2.8 The records specified in Appendix B are maintained and monitored by the school and action taken as appropriate.  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.

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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: Jamiatul-ilm Wal Huda 6

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Boarding school details

Social care unique reference number: SC005870

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Inspectors

Dave Carrigan, Social Care Inspector Simon Jones, Social Care Inspector Katie Tomlinson, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for boarding school: Jamiatul-ilm Wal Huda 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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