Abu Bakr Girls School

Abu Bakr Girls School, 8 July 2026 1 Abu Bakr Girls School 154-160 Wednesbury Road, Walsall WS1 4JJ

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report:

Overall outcome The school is likely to meet all the independent school standards if it is registered. It is currently operating.

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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 (the 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 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 is currently operating a school at the proposed site. The current school, Abu Bakr Al-Ihsaan Academy, is registered to take boys and girls from 4 to 16 years of age. However, the school has only been allowing girls to stay in the secondary provision. This, therefore, meant that the school was in breach of its registration agreement. The proprietor has applied to open a new school, Abu Bakr Girls School, on the same site. This school would be a single-sex girls’ school for secondary-age pupils.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

The proprietor has ensured that there is a stable and experienced leadership team in place. The headteacher plans to become executive headteacher across the girls’ school and the primary school, should the Department for Education (DfE) decide to register the provider as an independent school. Staff on the leadership team understand the requirements of the standards. They have significant experience of running independent schools. Abu Bakr Girls School, 8 July 2026 2 School leaders, including the proprietor, share the vision to ‘develop young Muslim girls, who are confident leaders in the community’. They have ensured that there is a broad and balanced curriculum in place. Leaders understand what high-quality teaching looks like and they have put systems in place to develop the quality of teaching and the curriculum over time.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

The proposed school already has a school development plan in place. It is evidence based and prioritises school improvements over a 3-year period. It takes into account all parts of the standards and includes safeguarding and pastoral care.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

The proprietor has ensured that standards are likely to be met if the DfE decides to register the provider as an independent school.

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Curriculum

There is an appropriate curriculum policy in place, which outlines both the range of subjects on offer at the school and the time allocated to each subject for each year group.

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Curriculum

The curriculum schemes of work are suitably detailed and outline the key knowledge that pupils will learn and be expected to remember. The curriculum in all subjects is logically sequenced and builds pupils’ knowledge over time. Pupils work towards achieving GCSE qualifications in a suitable range of subjects that prepares them well for the next stage of their education, training or employment.

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Curriculum

The curriculum includes appropriate coverage of the statutory content for relationships and sex education and citizenship. This aspect of the curriculum is designed to prepare the girls for life in modern Britain while remaining faithful to the principles of Islam.

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Curriculum

The preparation for pupils’ next steps begins from Year 7. Leaders place a high priority on careers education. They are passionate about opening up the world of work and the routes into a range of professions. To achieve this aim, they organise a range of events to promote careers and help the girls prepare for the next stage of their education. This includes careers days, where a range of different professionals come to the school to speak about their route to their career. It also includes visits from a range of post-16 providers to ensure the girls are well informed about the range of options open to them. Past pupils visit to share what post-16 learning is like, this includes girls who have gone on to engineering, apprenticeships as well as to study A levels at a sixth form or college. Abu Bakr Girls School, 8 July 2026 3

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Teaching

Teachers at the current school have the subject knowledge they need to deliver the curriculum. Clear explanations and questioning are used to help pupils understand new content. Staff know individual pupils well and there are established systems in place for staff to make appropriate adaptations to support pupils, who may have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) or other barriers to their learning.

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Teaching

Staff have regular professional learning sessions to ensure they have the knowledge and skills they need to teach the relevant subject matter. There has been a clear focus from leaders on upskilling staff to use appropriate pedagogy in lessons. They use strategies such as cold calling to check individual pupils’ understanding. Regular monitoring by senior leaders ensures that staff use the agreed strategies to teach pupils and meet their various needs.

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Teaching

Leaders plan to keep the same teachers that are currently teaching the secondary- age pupils at the current school. They have plans in place to appoint skilled staff as the school increases in size.

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Assessment

Staff currently use internal assessments to inform them of pupils’ progress through the curriculum. This involves chapter tests, which are designed by staff to align with the curriculum they have taught. Staff use a rag rating system to assess how well pupils have understood a particular topic and use the data to identify where a pupil might need more support or intervention to help them keep up.

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Assessment

More formal assessments are used at the end of the year to assess progress over time. Again, this data is used to help leaders identify any pupils who might need additional support or where parts of the curriculum need to be revisited. Leaders plan to continue with these systems when/if the school is opened.

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Assessment

The proprietor has ensured that standards are likely to be met if the DfE decides to register the provider as an independent school.

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pupils

Leaders have developed a personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) curriculum to ensure that all pupils are well prepared for life in modern Britain and life after their time at the school. They also teach all girls citizenship at GCSE. The Abu Bakr Girls School, 8 July 2026 4 way these areas of the curriculum are delivered through the use of scenarios, give the girls realistic situations for them to make decisions and provide advice.

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pupils

Staff have a clear ambition for their pupils to understand their faith and beliefs in the context of modern Britain and understand the beliefs of others. They promote respect and tolerance through their work in PSHE and assemblies, where they often debate issues from different perspectives.

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pupils

Pupils take an active role in fundraising and making positive contributions to their school and wider community. Leaders plan to continue to allow pupils to take on roles and responsibilities in the secondary school. The citizenship curriculum and wider opportunities help to develop their understanding of democracy, and the election of the student council enables pupils to experience the outcome of democratically made decisions.

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pupils

The proprietor has ensured that standards are likely to be met if the DfE decides to register the provider as an independent school.

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Safeguarding

The proprietor has ensured that the designated safeguarding lead (DSL) is skilled and understands the needs of the pupils and the context of the school. The current school works closely with the local authority to ensure that staff are fully up to date with issues, such as misogyny and sexual exploitation. The DSL uses external advice and support astutely to ensure all of the school’s policies and procedures are up to date and reflect the most current guidance, for example Benedict’s law. Leaders plan to continue with the current safeguarding systems and processes at the proposed school.

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Safeguarding

The proprietor proposes to have a robust induction programme for new staff. This will include detailed safeguarding training that takes into account the school’s context. Leaders plan to adapt the curriculum to reflect any emerging safeguarding issues, for example online safety.

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Anti-bullying, behaviour and supervision of pupils

The proposed school’s anti-bullying policy sets out clear definitions of bullying and approaches that the school will take if bullying should occur. Leaders have logs in place to record any incidents. The proposed school has a clear behaviour policy in place. Leaders plan to have a restorative approach to behaviour, where pupils learn about the impact of their behaviour on others. Where necessary, appropriate sanctions are in place. Abu Bakr Girls School, 8 July 2026 5 There are suitable arrangements in place to ensure that pupils are appropriately supervised. Leaders have ensured that there is an appropriate ratio of staff to pupils in the current school. Leaders plan to increase the number of staff, as the number of pupils in the proposed school increases.

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Health and safety, risk assessment, fire and first aid

The proprietor has appropriate health and safety and first-aid policies in place. At the previous monitoring visit of the current all-though school, there were some fire exit signs missing and some heating not working. The proprietor has addressed these shortcomings at pace. The proposed school complies with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Leaders have completed a fire risk assessment and have addressed any areas highlighted for improvement. The proprietor makes regular checks to ensure that this equipment is in a suitable condition. Fire drills are carried out regularly. The school has trained appropriate staff as fire marshals.

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Health and safety, risk assessment, fire and first aid

The proposed school has an appropriate number of trained first aiders in place. It has an appropriate supply of first-aid equipment and a suitable record-keeping system. Leaders analyse incidents of first aid to spot patterns and to reduce risk. Leaders are aware of their duty to record any use of physical intervention or restraint and to inform parents and carers if it were to occur.

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Health and safety, risk assessment, fire and first aid

The school has in place an appropriate, risk assessment policy. Specific risk assessments are detailed and used to manage risks across the school site.

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Admissions and attendance

The proprietor has ensured that staff will record all required information on the school’s proposed admissions register. An appropriate attendance policy is in place for the current school This policy will be used in the proposed school. Leaders have robust procedures in place to ensure that attendance is closely linked to safeguarding.

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Admissions and attendance

The proprietor has ensured that standards are likely to be met if the DfE decides to register the provider as an independent school.

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

The school completes all required checks on anyone working at the school and keeps accurate and up-to-date records. Leaders use updated guidance from the DfE to ensure that all of the checks are appropriate. The school does not intend to use agency staff, however, they are aware of the checks they will need to carry out should they choose to do so in the future. Abu Bakr Girls School, 8 July 2026 6

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The single central record of these recruitment checks

The proprietor maintains an electronic single central record of recruitment checks. The proprietor has ensured that the single central record is managed by and checked by appropriately trained staff.

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The single central record of these recruitment checks

The proprietor has ensured that standards are likely to be met if the DfE decides to register the provider as an independent school.

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and showers

There are suitable toilets and showers for pupils. Changing accommodation is appropriate and located close to the showers. During the current school’s previous inspection, it was noted that the toilets were cold in the winter and pupils did not feel comfortable using them. Since then, leaders have fixed the heating and ensured that the toilets are clean and well presented.

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and showers

Drinking water is labelled and available throughout the school. Hot water is also available and does not pose a scalding risk to pupils. Any hot water is labelled as such.

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Medical room

The school has an appropriate medical room that is well equipped and provides for the short-term care of sick or injured pupils. It has a fridge and a lockable cabinet for the safe storage of medication. The room contains a sink and is close to a toilet. Medical equipment is regularly checked to ensure it is in a good condition.

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conditions

The school is well presented. The classrooms are housed in temporary classrooms around the school. Externally, they are kept in an appropriate condition. Inside the classrooms, they are well lit, bright and have suitable acoustics. They are appropriate spaces for learning and are maintained to a good standard. Around the school site, there are also other learning areas that are well presented and appropriate for learning. For example, the school has well-equipped art and science rooms. The school library is appropriately stocked with a range of suitable books for pupils of secondary age. Abu Bakr Girls School, 8 July 2026 7

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Outdoor space

The proposed school has a large outdoor space on the school site, where pupils can socialise. It is well maintained and secure. The school also has a very large hall for physical education and assemblies. This hall will be shared with the primary school.

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Outdoor space

The proprietor has ensured that standards are likely to be met if the DfE decides to register the provider as an independent school.

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Part 6. Provision of information

The proprietor has developed an informative school website. It provides current and prospective parents with access to all the information required by the independent school standards. This includes information about the curriculum, complaints, safeguarding, behaviour and how the school plans to support pupils with SEND. The documents provided during the inspection reflect the school’s current and future intended approach.

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Part 6. Provision of information

The proposed school is likely to meet all the standards in this part if the DfE decides to register the provider as an independent school.

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Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled

There is a written complaints policy available published on the school website. It clearly outlines the different stages for making a complaint. It gives clear timescales for the consideration and management of the complaint. This includes an informal stage in the first instance and a panel with an independent member in the final stage. Leaders have appropriate documents in place to record any complaints, which includes the stage at which the complaint was resolved.

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Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled

The proposed school is likely to meet all the standards in this part if the DfE decides to register the provider as an independent school.

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The school’s accessibility plan

The school has an appropriate accessibility plan in place which will meet schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010. The plan identifies how leaders intend to improve pupils’ access to the site, information and the curriculum. Abu Bakr Girls School, 8 July 2026 8

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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. 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

The inspector confirmed the following information about the proposed school:

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About this inspection

The proposed school intends to admit a maximum of 200 girls aged 11 to 16. The school will have an Islamic faith ethos.

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About this inspection

The proposed school’s address is 154-160 Wednesbury Road, Walsall WS1 4JJ. There will also be a primary school on that site. The primary school and the proposed school will share a school hall. Next to the proposed school is Abu Bakr Boys School, which is run by the same proprietor.

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About this inspection

Inspectors spoke with the proprietor, headteacher, DSL who is also the special educational needs coordinator and other staff who are currently working at the current school. Inspectors toured the premises and spoke with pupils already in the secondary provision.

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About this proposed school

Proprietor Mr Mohammad Luqman Headteacher Rumela Begum Type of school Other independent school Capacity 200

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compulsory school age on roll

Provider’s current position: 151 Provider’s proposal: 200 Abu Bakr Girls School, 8 July 2026 9

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compulsory school age on roll

Provider’s current position: 0 Provider’s proposal: 0

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disabilities on roll

Provider’s current position: 12 Provider’s proposal: 12

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authority

Provider’s current position: 0 Provider’s proposal: 0

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authority

Age range of pupils Provider’s current position: 4 to 16 Provider’s proposal: 11 to 16 Gender of pupils Provider’s current position: Mixed Provider’s proposal: Girls

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per week

Provider’s current position: 31 hours 20 minutes Provider’s proposal: 31 hours 20 minutes

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per week

Provider’s current position: 28 hrs 20 minutes Provider’s proposal: 28 hrs 20 minutes

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teaching staff

Provider’s current position: 20 Provider’s proposal: 20 Number of part-time teaching staff Provider’s current position: 2 Provider’s proposal: 2 Annual fees for day pupils £3,000 Email address info@abubakrgirlschool.org Abu Bakr Girls School, 8 July 2026 10 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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teaching staff

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teaching staff

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