Jamia Islamia Birmingham

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

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inspection report:

Overall outcome The school is unlikely to meet the relevant independent school standards if the material change school provision is implemented. Residential provision The school is unlikely to meet the relevant national minimum standards if the material change relating to the school provision is implemented.

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inspection report:

This inspection was commissioned by the Department for Education (DfE), which is the registration authority for independent schools. The school has applied to the DfE to make a material change to its registration. The school proposes to provide boarding provision.

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inspection report:

The purpose of the inspection is to advise the Secretary of State for Education about the school’s likely compliance with the independent school standards that are relevant to the material change that the school has applied to make.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

When we carry out material change inspections of independent schools, we report on the school’s likely compliance with part 8 of the independent school standards (the standards) first. Under part 8, the proprietor is required to ensure that the school meets all of the independent school standards consistently. The standard in part 8 is intended to ensure that the quality of leadership and management at the school is sufficient for that purpose.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

Despite the significant work the school proprietor has done in readying the adjacent premises for boarding provision, it has not ensured that all the independent school standards (the standards) are met.

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the proprietor

The school’s safeguarding culture is open and transparent. Leaders ensure that staff, including the designated safeguarding lead, receive timely and appropriate training to identify risks to pupils.

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the proprietor

Staff and pupils know what to do if they have a concern about a pupil’s safety or wellbeing. Pupils feel safe, knowing they can speak to any of the staff if they have a concern. A well understood system for pupils to raise concerns anonymously is in place and leaders regularly remind pupils how to do this.

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the proprietor

The school’s recruitment checks are not as systemic as they should be. The school does not have due regard to the guidance in Keeping children safe in education 2025. The school has accepted character references for staff without the required reference from a current employer. Also, they have accepted references addressed to ‘To whom it may concern’ that do not pertain directly to the position being applied for. Application forms do not always contain names of referees or accurate information about an applicant’s previous employment, including dates. This means that the school cannot accurately ascertain whether applicants have gaps in employment history.

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the proprietor

Because of these failings, the school would be unlikely to meet the related standards if the material change was implemented.

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Part 6. Provision of information

The proprietor has ensured that a copy of the school’s safeguarding policy is freely available on the school website and to parents upon request. The policy is up to date and outlines the responsibilities and roles of staff in keeping pupils safe.

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The school’s accessibility plan

The school’s accessibility plan is current and appropriate. The school has, therefore, ensured that it meets the requirements of paragraph 3 of schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010.

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Boarding provision

A newly refurbished building, on the same site as the school, houses the boarding accommodation. This is spacious, clean and well maintained. Boarders will be accommodated in dormitories of up to 4 boys. Furnishings are new and modern. There is a large prayer hall for boarders within the boarding house.

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Boarding provision

There has been a positive appointment of a new head of boarding. He is experienced and has a good understanding of boarding provision and mostly of the national minimum standards for boarding schools. Supervisors have been appointed and they have training in safeguarding children as well as health and safety matters, including fire safety. A small number of boarders are planned for initially and there are sufficient staff for these boarders.

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Boarding provision

The head of boarding has a good understanding about boarders’ potential health needs. Leaders have plans to register, where appropriate, boarders with local healthcare professionals, such as dentists and doctors. Meals will be provided by an outside caterer and will include a variety of food. This will cater for boarders with allergies. Boarders also have access to fresh water and facilities for making snacks.

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Boarding provision

Boarders have access to a computer suite within the boarding house to enable them to continue their studies while there. Boarders will also have access to activities, such as football, various clubs including a reading club, and trips out into the local community.

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Boarding provision

An independent person has been appointed. The plan is for this person to meet with the boarders twice a week. This should enable boarders to get to know the appointed person and, therefore, enable boarders to share any concerns they may have.

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Boarding provision

The school’s recruitment checks do not currently prevent unsuitable adults from working in the boarding provision. The school does not have due regard for the guidance of the secretary of state in Keeping children safe in education 2025. The school has accepted character references for staff without the required reference from a current employer. There are references addressed to ‘To whom it may concern’. Application forms do not always contain names of referees or accurate information about an applicant’s previous employment. This means that the school cannot identify whether there are gaps in employment history.

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Boarding provision

Because of these failings, the school would be unlikely to meet the national minimum standard for boarding schools if the material change was implemented.

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About this inspection

The inspector carried out this inspection under section 162(4) of the Education Act 2002, at the request of the registration authority for independent schools. The inspector checked the school’s likely compliance with the independent school standards. These are the requirements set out in the schedule to the Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014.

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About this inspection

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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About this inspection

Following our renewed inspection framework, all inspections are now led by His Majesty’s Inspectors (HMIs) or by Ofsted Inspectors (OIs) who have previously served as HMIs.

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About this inspection

This is the second integrated material change inspection in respect of the school’s application to provide boarding facilities. The preceding integrated material change inspection took place on 28 November 2024.

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About this inspection

The inspector spoke with members of the proprietor body, including the chair, school leaders and the leader of the proposed boarding provision during the inspection. The inspector reviewed and discussed a range of documentation and toured both the school premises and that of the proposed boarding provision.

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About this inspection

The inspector met formally with groups of pupils.

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About this inspection

The inspector spoke with the designated safeguarding lead and reviewed safeguarding records, policies and procedures. The inspector also scrutinised the single central record.

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About this inspection

The inspector confirmed the following information about the school:

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About this inspection

The school site is at Fallows Road, Sparkbrook, Birmingham, West Midlands B11 1PL.

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About this inspection

The school does not use any alternative provision.

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About this school

Proprietor Jamia Islamia Birmingham Trust Headteacher Mr Rezaul Haque Type of school Other independent school Capacity 185 Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age on roll Number of part-time pupils of compulsory school age on roll Age range of pupils 11 to 19 Gender of pupils Boys Annual fees for day pupils £2,400 Email address info@jamia.bham.sch.uk

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Annex. Independent school standards and national minimum

Independent school standards that the school does not mee t.

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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.  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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Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors

 18(2) The standard in this paragraph is met if- – 18(2)(f) in the case of staff who care for, train, supervise or are in charge of boarders, in addition to the matters specified in paragraphs (a) to (e), the proprietor checks that Standard 19 of the National Minimum Standards for Boarding Schools or, where applicable, Standard 24 of the National Minimum Standards for Residential Special Schools, is complied with,  19(2) The standard in this paragraph is met if- – 19(2)(e) except for those persons to whom sub-paragraph (4) applies, in the case of supply staff who care for, train, supervise or are in charge of boarders, the proprietor checks that the relevant parts of Standard 19 of the National Minimum Standards for Boarding Schools or where applicable, Standard 24 of the National Minimum Standards for Residential Special Schools are complied with.  21(5)(b) The information referred to in this sub-paragraph is, in relation to

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Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors

supply staff- - 21(5)(b) 21(5)(b) whether a check has been made in accordance with paragraph 19(2)(e) together with the date the check was completed; and

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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;

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National minimum standards for boarding schools

 19.1 Schools operate safer recruitment and adopt recruitment procedures in line with the regulatory requirements and having regard to relevant guidance issued by the Secretary of State. providing education and skills for children and learners of all ages, and inspects and regulates services that care for children and young people

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National minimum standards for boarding schools

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National minimum standards for boarding schools

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National minimum standards for boarding schools

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National minimum standards for boarding schools

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