Darul Madinah Girls Grammar School

Darul Madinah Girls Grammar School, 1 April 2026 1 Darul Madinah Girls Grammar School Hartland House, Hartland Close, Slough, Berkshire SL1 3XT

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report:

Overall outcome The school is unlikely to meet all the independent school standards if it is registered

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report:

The purpose of this inspection was to advise the Secretary of State for Education about the proposed school’s likely compliance with the independent school standards and associated requirements that are required for registration as an independent school.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

When we carry out pre-registration inspections of proposed independent schools, we report on the provider’s likely compliance with part 8 of the independent school standards first. Under part 8, the proprietor is required to ensure that the school meets all of the independent school standards (the 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

The proprietor sets out a clear and coherent vision for the school as the next stage for pupils transitioning from the proprietor’s local primary school. They articulate a clear ambition for pupils to grow into well-rounded, responsible citizens of modern Britain. They draw on successful experience from running a primary school and several nursery settings to shape this new provision.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

The proprietor demonstrates a secure understanding of the importance of implementing a broad and ambitious curriculum aligned with the standards. Members of the proprietor body have completed training to strengthen their understanding of safeguarding and leadership duties. They apply this training and their wider experience to set up systems that support effective oversight. Darul Madinah Girls Grammar School, 1 April 2026 2 However, the proprietor does not demonstrate sufficient knowledge of the standards related to their legal responsibilities for the health and safety of pupils and the suitability of the proposed site as a school. They have not completed necessary health and safety checks, which exposes pupils and staff to potential hazards. In its current condition, the proposed school site does not provide a safe or suitable environment.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

The proprietor does not demonstrate the skills, knowledge or systems required to ensure consistent compliance with the independent school standards.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

The standards in this part are unlikely to be met if the school is registered.

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Curriculum

The proposed school plans to educate girls in Year 7 and Year 8. Its curriculum policy is suitable and states that the curriculum will reflect the school’s Islamic ethos while providing a suitably broad range of subjects consistent with the standards. The proposed curriculum sequences learning so pupils can build securely on their primary education and make progress towards GCSE studies in key stage 4.

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Curriculum

The curriculum is designed to build essential knowledge progressively, with clear and ambitious end points. They prioritise important essential learning of literacy and mathematics in the core subjects so pupils can access a wider curriculum confidently.

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Curriculum

The proprietor has constructed a personal, social, health and economic education curriculum that teaches pupils about careers, culture and social awareness. They also plan opportunities for girls to interact socially with male peers. The intention is to coordinate trips and visits with the proprietor’s proposed all-boys secondary school, so pupils gain confidence to interact respectfully with peers.

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Teaching

The school intends to teach pupils in separate year-group classes. Teachers will receive training that enables them to adapt the curriculum in response to gaps in pupils’ learning and to help pupils make progress. Typically, classes will consist of one teacher, with the senior leadership team supporting teaching. The school intends to supplement class teaching with qualified subject-specific teachers recruited through agencies or tuition companies to ensure that specialist teaching is precise. Darul Madinah Girls Grammar School, 1 April 2026 3 The proprietor intends the headteacher either to hold the special educational needs coordinator qualification or to complete it with appropriate support. Staff are expected to create an individual learning and support plan for every pupil. The proprietor expects teachers to use these plans to understand pupils’ needs and aspirations and to plan lessons that provide suitable challenge and support so

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Teaching

pupils can meet personalised curriculum targets.

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Assessment

When pupils join the school, staff intend to assess their prior attainment using a range of assessment tools. Staff will use this information to inform curriculum planning, identify pupils who need additional literacy support and organise interventions accordingly.

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Assessment

The proprietor intends to adapt the existing primary assessment framework to reflect secondary-phase expectations. This assessment framework is suitable. Staff will use this framework to track pupils’ progress through the curriculum against clearly defined curriculum goals. The proprietor plans to review this progress every half term and to use the information to refine teaching and share written reports with parents. The proprietor expects this information to support line-management discussions and pupil progress meetings.

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Assessment

The standards in this part are likely to be met if the school is registered.

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pupils

Pupils’ personal and social development forms a key part of the school’s intended provision. The curriculum sets out a clear intention to develop pupils’ understanding of their faith and to show them how this supports respectful and tolerant citizenship in modern Britain. This focus on respect and tolerance runs through the school’s policies and promotes positive relationships and respectful behaviour.

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pupils

The curriculum identifies opportunities across subjects and wider activities for pupils to explore a broad range of cultures, values and beliefs. It emphasises the importance of equalities and the fundamental British values. Carefully sequenced learning increases the likelihood that pupils will develop the knowledge, confidence and awareness they need to engage positively with people from different backgrounds.

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pupils

The proprietor intends to maintain a precise focus on preparing pupils well for their next steps when they leave the school. For example, curriculum design indicates opportunities to develop pupils’ employability skills, including trips, such Darul Madinah Girls Grammar School, 1 April 2026 4 as visits to the Houses of Parliament, school careers fairs and local authority careers information sessions.

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pupils

The relationships and sex education (RSE) programme aligns with statutory guidance and reflects the school’s RSE policy. The proprietor has adopted a curriculum with content appropriate for secondary-age pupils that builds their confidence to manage future situations with maturity.

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pupils

The standards in this part are likely to be met if the school is registered.

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Safeguarding

The proprietor has undertaken appropriate training to understand statutory safeguarding responsibilities, including the ‘Prevent’ duty. The proprietor demonstrates a secure understanding of the risks faced by the pupils the proposed school intends to serve. The school safeguarding policy is appropriate and considers statutory guidance. The proprietor understands the requirement to publish this on the school website and make it available to all parents.

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Safeguarding

The proprietor intends for the headteacher to fulfil the role of designated safeguarding lead. All staff will complete safeguarding training when appointed. The proprietor plans to supplement formal safeguarding training with regular staff briefings, including annual updates linked to the statutory guidance, ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’. Appropriate online systems to record concerns and follow-up actions have been implemented in preparation. The proprietor will have remote access to safeguarding records to ensure that the school responds swiftly to concerns.

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Behaviour and supervision of pupils

The proposed school has a clear and coherent behaviour policy in place. It sets out consistent expectations for how staff should support pupils to manage their behaviour. The proprietor intends for dedicated staff to receive training in restrictive physical intervention. Appropriate recording systems will be in place to monitor behavioural incidents and record the actions staff take to address them. The proprietor will make systematic checks on the school’s behaviour records to ensure that the school responds effectively to emerging needs.

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Anti-bullying

The anti-bullying policy clearly outlines the steps the school will take to manage any bullying incidents. The school has embedded preventive work through the intended personal, social and health education curriculum. Pupils will learn about Darul Madinah Girls Grammar School, 1 April 2026 5 respectful relationships, equality and protected characteristics. The policy and underpinning curriculum promote a safe and respectful culture.

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Health and safety, fire and first aid

The proprietor was unaware of some statutory requirements at the point of this pre-registration inspection and has not ensured that all necessary checks on the school site have been completed. For example, checks have not been completed to assess the safety of the water and tests to check for the presence of asbestos have also not been completed. The proprietor has not ensured that pupils and staff will be kept safe in the proposed school. In addition, the proprietor has not fulfilled their duty to register the use of CCTV with the Information Commissioner’s Office.

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Health and safety, fire and first aid

The proposed school does not have a suitable room for the administration of first aid and to care for sick or injured pupils. This means that the first-aid policy cannot be implemented effectively. The school intends for each member of staff to receive first-aid training. Well-stocked medical and first-aid kits are available for staff to take with them when escorting pupils off site for breaks and lunches.

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Health and safety, fire and first aid

The fire risk assessment meets the expectations of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. The proposed school has appropriate processes in place to ensure a safe evacuation from the site. Fire safety procedures, including risk assessments, staff training and maintenance schedules, are established and reviewed regularly. The proprietor demonstrates an understanding of how to implement personal emergency evacuation plans for pupils.

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Admissions and attendance

The proprietor demonstrates a clear understanding of its attendance policy and how it will be applied in practice. The proprietor is knowledgeable about the legal requirements for maintaining attendance and admissions registers. The school has set up an appropriate electronic register to fulfil these legal duties.

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Risk assessment

The proprietor has developed a suitable risk assessment policy. This has been used to identify the steps to mitigate potential risks that pupils and staff may face. Risk assessments set out the strategies staff should use to keep pupils safe. Risk assessments for off-site breaktimes and for trips and visits are appropriately detailed.

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Risk assessment

The standards in this part are unlikely to be met if the school is registered. Darul Madinah Girls Grammar School, 1 April 2026 6

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The recruitment checks made on staff, supply staff and the proprietor

The proposed school’s policy sets out how the school will fulfil legal obligations when recruiting new staff, supply staff and checking on the suitability of the proprietor. The proprietor has up-to-date safer recruitment training to ensure that they are knowledgeable when conducting these checks.

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The single central record of these recruitment checks

The proprietor has knowledgeable experience of recruitment in primary and nursery schools. Consequently, recruitment processes are rigorous and underpinned by appropriate induction practices. The proprietor can demonstrate how they would carry out all pre-employment checks and record them on the proposed school’s single central record.

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The single central record of these recruitment checks

The standards in this part are likely to be met if the school is registered.

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and showers

There are enough toilets to accommodate the pupils and staff. However, the pupil toilets are not suitable, as they require refurbishment to prevent the risk of pupils trapping their fingers and hands in doors and to ensure privacy. The school does not have suitable changing and showering areas for pupils to use before and after physical education. This is a requirement for meeting the standards. There is adequate and labelled drinking water available for pupils.

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Medical room and accommodation for pupils’ therapy needs

The proposed school does not have a suitable medical room to meet the needs of sick or injured pupils. The proprietor’s proposal to use the medical bed located within a different provision on the same site is not appropriate. In addition, there is no suitable toilet or handwashing facility near that room.

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Ensuring the health, safety and welfare of pupils

The proposed school premises are not maintained to a standard suitable for the 40 pupils for which registration has been requested. The laminate flooring is poorly fitted and presents a trip hazard. In each classroom, large windows are positioned Darul Madinah Girls Grammar School, 1 April 2026 7 at hip height that open fully without restriction. This presents a significant risk of falls from these second storey windows.

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Ensuring the health, safety and welfare of pupils

The school is located on a busy main road close to 2 other settings run by the same proprietor. One is a registered nursery, and the other is a premises the proprietor is seeking to register as an independent school. To mitigate against potential dangers from the road, the proprietor intends to implement a staggered drop-off and pick-up system. The proposed school has submitted its plans to the local authority and was waiting for a decision at the time of this pre-registration inspection.

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Lighting and acoustic conditions

The premises has 2 teaching spaces, which are only divided by a thin glass partition and a door. This arrangement does not provide sufficient sound insulation to allow effective teaching and learning when both rooms are in use simultaneously, as intended.

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Lighting and acoustic conditions

The classrooms are bright and well lit. Emergency lighting is maintained and in good working order.

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Outdoor space

The school does not have any outdoor spaces for play or physical education. The school intends to take pupils to the local park via a main road. The park is a short walk away and is suitable. An appropriate risk assessment is in place to manage this safely. The school plans to use this public park space for physical education. The proprietor has an appropriate risk assessment in place for the use of the park, including prioritising high levels of supervision by staff.

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Outdoor space

The standards in this part are unlikely to be met if the school is registered.

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Part 6. Provision of information

The school intends to use a website should it be registered. The proprietor demonstrates an understanding of the required information that must be published on the school website to comply with the standards. The school recognises that many parents may not speak English as a first language and has, therefore, considered how to provide translation services, for example in Urdu or Arabic. Information will be shared with parents to help them understand policies and procedures, such as complaints and safeguarding. The proprietor understands the requirement to publish any future inspection reports for parents.

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Part 6. Provision of information

The proprietor intends to report on pupils’ academic progress through the curriculum every half term through written reports. The school also intends to Darul Madinah Girls Grammar School, 1 April 2026 8 report to parents annually on pupils’ progress towards subject targets, as well as behaviour and attendance information. Regular parents’ evenings will be used to keep parents informed of their child’s achievements.

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Part 6. Provision of information

The proprietor has clear systems in place for reporting on expenditure for pupils with an education, health and care (EHC) plan. The school can demonstrate how it will work with local authorities to update and review pupils’ EHC plans. There are appropriate and established processes in place to facilitate the sharing of relevant information during annual reviews of EHC plans.

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Part 6. Provision of information

The standards in this part are likely to be met if the school is registered.

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Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled

The proprietor’s complaints policy is suitable and meets the relevant requirements of the standards. It provides clear guidance on how to raise informal and formal complaints. It also sets out information on timescales, complainants’ rights and how records of complaints will be kept. The proprietor has carefully considered arrangements for a complaints panel that includes representation of a person independent of the proposed school’s leadership and management. The school intends to publish the complaints policy on its website.

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Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled

The proprietor has made appropriate provision for recording, analysing and responding to complaints should they arise. They are aware of their duty to ensure that complaint records are kept confidential. The proprietor intends to use information from complaints to inform practice and reduce the likelihood of further concerns.

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Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled

The standards in this part are likely to be met if the school is registered.

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The school’s accessibility plan

The proprietor has in place a suitable accessibility policy and plan that covers accessibility in relation to the required areas of curriculum, physical environment and written information for the proposed age range.

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About this inspection

Inspectors carried out this inspection under section 99 of the Education and Skills Act 2008, at the request of the registration authority for independent schools. Darul Madinah Girls Grammar School, 1 April 2026 9 Inspectors 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

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 was the proposed school’s first pre-registration inspection.

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About this inspection

The inspectors spoke with the proprietor during the inspection.

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About this inspection

The inspector confirmed the following information about the school:

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About this inspection

The proposed school intends to cater for up to 40 girls aged 11 to 13. It will have an Islamic religious character. The school does not intend to have a governing board.

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About this inspection

The school will support a very small number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities and does not intend to have any pupils who have education, health and care plans in the first instance.

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About this inspection

The premises is situated on a main road in a building that was previously used as offices. The proposed school is on the second floor above a registered nursery and consists of 2 classrooms and toilet facilities. There is no outside space.

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About this inspection

The school does not intend to use alternative provision.

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About this inspection

The proprietor is Darul Madinah Slough Limited.

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About this proposed school

Chair of the proprietor body Waqas Choudhery Headteacher Not Known Type of school Other independent school Capacity 40 Darul Madinah Girls Grammar School, 1 April 2026 10

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authority

Age range of pupils Provider’s proposal: 11-13

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authority

Gender of pupils Provider’s proposal: Girls

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teaching staff

Number of part-time teaching staff Provider’s proposal: 0 Annual fees for day pupils £4,000 Email address operations.slough@darulmadinah.co.uk

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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  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. Darul Madinah Girls Grammar School, 1 April 2026 11  13 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that first aid is administered in a timely and competent manner by the drawing up and effective implementation of a written first aid policy.

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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; – 23(1)(b) separate toilet facilities for boys and girls aged 8 years or over are provided except where the toilet facility is provided in a room that can be secured from the inside and that is intended for use by one pupil at a time; and – 23(1)(c) suitable changing accommodation and showers are provided for pupils aged 11 years or over at the start of the school year who receive physical education.  24(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that suitable accommodation is provided in order to cater for the medical and therapy needs of pupils, including- – 24(1)(a) accommodation for the medical examination and treatment of pupils; – 24(1)(b) accommodation for the short term care of sick and injured pupils,

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Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

which includes a washing facility and is near to a toilet facility; and  24(2) The accommodation provided under sub-paragraphs (1)(a) and (b) may be used for other purposes (apart from teaching) provided it is always readily available to be used for the purposes set out in sub-paragraphs (1)(a) and (b).  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.  26 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that the acoustic conditions and sound insulation of each room or other space are suitable, having regard to the nature of the activities which normally take place therein.

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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; Darul Madinah Girls Grammar School, 1 April 2026 12 – 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. Darul Madinah Girls Grammar School, 1 April 2026 13 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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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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