Abu Bakr Al-Ihsaan Academy

School progress monitoring inspection report

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Abu Bakr Al-Ihsaan Academy 154–160 Wednesbury Road, Palfrey, Walsall, West Midlands WS1 4JJ

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraphs 3(e) to 3(g)  At the last inspection, inspectors found that teachers did not have the necessary pedagogical or subject knowledge to deliver and assess progress in the curriculum effectively.  The school has done extensive work in providing staff with the support and training they need to fulfil their roles. This has included weekly visits from an advisory teacher to work with staff and the assigning of online training modules for staff to complete during weekly continuing professional development sessions. Leaders have made regular checks on the quality of teaching. Teachers now demonstrate secure subject knowledge and present information clearly for pupils. They make effective use of resources including the newly installed interactive screens.  The school has put in place an assessment system that is closely linked to the learning objectives for each lesson. This system is used to track pupils’ learning and identify

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Main inspection findings

where there are gaps and when additional help is needed. Leaders in the school monitor this tracking system closely.  These independent school standards (the standards) are now met. Paragraphs 3, 3(j)  At the last inspection, inspectors noted that the school was operating as two separate schools, a primary that admits boys and girls and a secondary that only admits girls. This means it was acting in breach of its registration and was separating pupils by sex, which amounts to unlawful discrimination.  The school is still operating as a mixed-sex primary school, and secondary school for girls. This means it is still in breach of its registration agreement. The proprietor has made an application to the registration authority for a new school which will admit girls of secondary age.  This standard remains unmet. Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7, 7(a), 7(b) and 15  At the last inspection, inspectors found areas of the school site that were unsafe and

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Main inspection findings

posed a risk of injury to pupils. These included unsafe toilet facilities and exposed nails and screws sticking out of walls.  The school has ensured that these aspects of the site have been rectified so as to reduce the immediate risk of injury.  The school has effective safeguarding strategies in place which have regard to guidance from the Secretary of State. Staff are trained to identify and report concerns about pupils, and safeguarding records are detailed. Safeguarding is a standing item at all staff meetings and there is a shared culture of safeguarding evident across the school.  The school maintains an accurate electronic admissions and attendance register in accordance with Education (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2006.  These standards are now met. Paragraphs 11, 12 and 16 to 16(b)  At the last inspection, inspectors found that the school had not taken the steps needed to accurately identify risks to pupils’ health presented by the school site. This included

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Main inspection findings

the school having not had an appropriate fire risk assessment carried out by somebody with adequate expertise.  The school has in place an appropriate, written health and safety policy and a policy for assessing and addressing risk. However, there are times when these policies are not consistently implemented. For instance, risk assessments of classrooms had not identified that fire exit signage was not correctly displayed.  The school has had an extensive fire safety audit completed and improvements are underway. For instance, much of the fire alarm and detection system has been upgraded. Leaders have also been diligent in carrying out regular fire drills. However, at the time of the inspection, many rooms did not have adequate signage for escape routes in the event of fire.  These standards remain unmet. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraph 23(1), 23(1)(a)  At the last inspection, inspectors found that some toilets were not suitable because they

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Main inspection findings

posed health and safety risks to pupils.  Toilets are clean and floors are dry. Pupils have access to toilets and washing facilities throughout the day.  This standard is now met. Paragraph 25  At the last inspection, inspectors found some parts of the school site were not safe and posed a risk to pupils’ safety. These included significant holes in the playground surfaces, which posed a tripping risk to pupils. Inspectors also noted that some areas of the school were cold and that heating was either not working or insufficient.  The school has repaired the majority of holes in the playground surface but there remains unevenness in some areas and trip hazards around drains. During the inspection there was insufficient heating in a small number of classrooms following a cold night. This meant that pupils and staff in these rooms needed to wear coats in lessons at the start of the school day.  This standard remains unmet.

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Main inspection findings

Part 6. Provision of information Paragraphs 32(1), 32(1)(a) to 32(1)(d), 32(1)(f), 32(2)(a) to 32(2)(b)(i), 32(3), 32(3)(a) to 32(3)(d), 32(3)(f) and 32(3)(g)  At the time of the last inspection, the school was not providing information as required in the standards. This included some policies, including the school’s complaints procedure.  The proprietor has ensured that the school’s website now contains the required information. Policies are reviewed and up to date. These include policies for admissions, behaviour and safeguarding. The school’s and proprietor’s contact details are also readily available.  The school website contains a link to the school’s Ofsted inspection reports.  These standards are now met. Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled Paragraphs 33 to 33(k)  At the last inspection the school had not implemented an effective complaints policy.  The school now has in place a complaints policy which complies with all aspects of this

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Main inspection findings

part of the standards. The policy is readily available to parents. It outlines clearly what complainants should do to make a complaint and what they should expect to happen as a result, including timeframes and appeals procedures.  These standards are now met. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34(1)(a) and 34(1)(b)  At the time of the last inspection, leadership and management were judged to be inadequate. There was insufficient leadership capacity to ensure that the standards were met consistently.  The proprietor appointed a new headteacher in September 2025. Following this, a significant piece of work was done to design and define a new leadership structure. Leaders now have a clear understanding of their roles and what actions they need to take to make further improvements. They are making strides towards meeting the standards consistently.  These standards remain unmet.

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Main inspection findings

Paragraphs 34(1)(c)  The school is committed to promoting pupils’ wellbeing in line with Section 10 of the Children Act 2004. It supports pupils’ physical health, mental health, and emotional wellbeing through the curriculum and a safeguarding culture that protects them from harm. Citizenship is a compulsory subject, enabling pupils to understand social and economic wellbeing and their role within society.  This standard is now met. Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  At the last inspection the school did not have a suitable accessibility plan.  The school now has an extensive accessibility plan in place which aims to increase the extent to which disabled pupils are provided with school information and can access the school’s environment and curriculum.  The proprietor has now ensured that the school meets the requirements of schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010.

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Compliance with regulatory requirements

The school does not meet 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, as set out in the annex of this report. 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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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

Email address info@abubakrgirlschool.org

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 28 to 30 January 2025

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Information about this school

 The school is an Islamic day school, registered for boys and girls aged 4 to 16. The school does not admit boys into its 11 to 16 provision. This means that it is acting in breach of its registration and is separating pupils by sex, which amounts to unlawful discrimination. The proprietor has made an application to the registration authority for a new school which will admit girls of secondary age.  The school occupies several buildings in Walsall and shares its site with a secondary boys’ school run by the same proprietor.  Since the last inspection there has been a change of headteacher and a restructuring of the senior leadership team.  The school’s last standard inspection was in January 2025, when it was judged to be inadequate. Following the inspection, the school was required to submit an action plan to the Department for Education. The plan was evaluated by Ofsted in August 2025 and judged as not acceptable. There has been a change of headteacher since the plan was

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Information about this school

submitted.  The school does not make use of any alternative provision.

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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 was the first progress monitoring inspection since the last standard inspection.  This inspection was carried out without notice.  The inspector held discussions with the headteacher and other senior staff members. During discussions, the inspector reviewed the progress made against the previous unmet standards. He also reviewed a range of documents, including school policies and its website.  The inspector visited lessons with leaders and talked with pupils about their learning. He also completed a tour with leaders to look at the suitability and safety of the premises.  The inspector evaluated the school’s approach to safeguarding. The school complies with

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Information about this inspection

paragraphs 7 to 7(b) and paragraph 32(1)(c) of the standards. The inspector reviewed the single central record.

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Inspection team

Gareth Morgan, lead inspector His Majesty’s Inspector

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The school does not meet the following independent school standards

Standards that were not met at the previous inspection and remain un-met at this inspection

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

 3 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that the teaching at the school– – 3(j) does not discriminate against pupils contrary to Part 6 of the 2010 Act[10].

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

 11 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that relevant health and safety laws are complied with by the drawing up and effective implementation of a written health and safety policy.  12 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005[12].  16 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that– – 16(a) the welfare of pupils at the school is safeguarded and promoted by the drawing up and effective implementation of a written risk assessment policy; and – 16(b) appropriate action is taken to reduce risks that are identified.

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Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

 25 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that the school premises and the accommodation and facilities provided therein are maintained to a standard such that, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of pupils are ensured.

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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

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

– 3(e) demonstrates good knowledge and understanding of the subject matter being taught; – 3(f) utilises effectively classroom resources of a good quality, quantity and range; – 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; and

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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. – 15 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that an admission and attendance register is maintained in accordance with the School Attendance (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2024.

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Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

 23(1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2), the standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that– – 23(1)(a) suitable toilet and washing facilities are provided for the sole use of pupils.

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Part 6. Provision of information

 32(1) The standard about the provision of information by the school is met if the proprietor ensures that– – 32(1)(a) the information specified in sub-paragraph (2) is provided to parents of pupils and parents of prospective pupils and, on request, to the Chief Inspector[14], the Secretary of State or an independent inspectorate[15]; – 32(1)(b) the information specified in sub-paragraph (3) is made available to parents of pupils and parents of prospective pupils and, on request, to the Chief Inspector, the Secretary of State or an independent inspectorate; – 32(1)(c) particulars of the arrangements for meeting the standard contained in paragraph 7 are published on the school’s internet website or, where no such website exists, are provided to parents on request; – 32(1)(d) following an inspection under section 108 or 109 of the 2008 Act, a copy of the report of the inspection (if it has been sent to the proprietor) is

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Part 6. Provision of information

published and maintained on the school’s internet website, and provided to the parents of each registered pupil, by any date specified by the body who conducted the inspection; – 32(1)(f) an annual written report of each registered pupil’s progress and attainment in the main subject areas taught is provided to the parents of that registered pupil except that no report need be provided where the parent has agreed otherwise.  32(2) The information specified in this sub-paragraph is– – 32(2)(a) the school’s address and telephone number and the name of the head teacher; – 32(2)(b) either– – 32(2)(b)(i) where the proprietor is an individual, the proprietor’s full name, address for correspondence during both term-time and holidays and a telephone number or numbers on which the proprietor may be contacted.  32(3) The information specified in this sub-paragraph is– – 32(3)(a) particulars of the school’s policy on and arrangements for admissions,

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Part 6. Provision of information

misbehaviour and exclusions; – 32(3)(b) particulars of educational and welfare provision for pupils with EHC plans and pupils for whom English is an additional language; – 32(3)(c) particulars of the policy referred to in paragraph 2; – 32(3)(d) particulars of arrangements for meeting the standards contained in paragraphs 9, 10, 11 and 13; – 32(3)(f) details of the complaints procedure referred to in paragraph 33, and the number of complaints registered under the formal procedure during the preceding school year; and – 32(3)(g) a copy of the report of any inspection carried out under sections 108 or 109 of the 2008 Act or section 87(1) of the 1989 Act.

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Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled

 33 The standard about the manner in which complaints are handled is met if the proprietor ensures that a complaints procedure is drawn up and effectively implemented which deals with the handling of complaints from parents of pupils and which– – 33(a) is in writing; – 33(b) is made available to parents of pupils; – 33(c) sets out clear time scales for the management of a complaint; – 33(d) allows for a complaint to be made and considered initially on an informal basis; – 33(e) where the parent is not satisfied with the response to the complaint made in accordance with sub-paragraph (d), establishes a formal procedure for the complaint to be made in writing; – 33(f) where the parent is not satisfied with the response to the complaint made in accordance with sub-paragraph (e), makes provision for a hearing before a panel appointed by or on behalf of the proprietor and consisting of at least three people who were not directly involved in the matters detailed in the complaint;

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Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled

– 33(g) ensures that, where there is a panel hearing of a complaint, one panel member is independent of the management and running of the school; – 33(h) allows for a parent to attend and be accompanied at a panel hearing if they wish; – 33(i) provides for the panel to make findings and recommendations and stipulates that a copy of those findings and recommendations is– – 33(i)(i) provided to the complainant and, where relevant, the person complained about; and – 33(i)(ii) available for inspection on the school premises by the proprietor and the head teacher; – 33(j) provides for a written record to be kept of all complaints that are made in accordance with sub-paragraph (e) and– – 33(j)(i) whether they are resolved following a formal procedure, or proceed to a panel hearing; and – 33(j)(ii) action taken by the school as a result of those complaints (regardless of whether they are upheld); and – 33(k) provides that correspondence, statements and records relating to individual

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Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled

complaints are to be kept confidential except where the Secretary of State or a body conducting an inspection under section 109 of the 2008 Act requests access to them. 

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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

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Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010

 3(1) The responsible body of a school in England and Wales must prepare–

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Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010

 4(1) In preparing an accessibility plan, the responsible body must have regard to the need to allocate adequate resources for implementing the plan. [4(1) etc] – 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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Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010

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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Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010

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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Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010

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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Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010

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Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010

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Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010

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