Rawdhatul Uloom Islamic Primary School

DCSF Registration Number 8896003 Unique Reference Number 119848 Inspection number 316850 Inspection dates 24-25 October 2007 Reporting inspector Saleem Hussain AI

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This inspection of the school was carried out under section 162A of the Education Act 2002 (as amended by schedule 8 of the Education Act 2005).

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Independent School

Inspection report This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated.

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Independent School

Alexandra House 33 Kingsway London WC2B 6SE T 08456 404040 www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Purpose and scope of the inspection

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under section 162A of the Education Act 2002, as amended by schedule 8 of the Education Act 2005, in order to advise the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families about the school’s suitability for continued registration as an independent school.

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Information about the school

The school was established in 1992 and registered in the year 2000. This was the school’s first full inspection of education. The school makes provision for girls and boys aged between 4 and 11 years and at the time of inspection there were 98 pupils on roll. At age eleven, pupils transfer to mainly state maintained local secondary schools or regionally based independent Islamic schools.

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Information about the school

Pupils are mainly from the locality and all are from Muslim religious backgrounds. The school aims to ‘provide education in religious studies and the national curriculum to the highest possible standards in an Islamic environment suitable for any child irrespective of background or origin’ so that pupils can ‘ultimately take their place as an integral part of the diverse multicultural society of Great Britain as confident, contributing Muslims’.

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Information about the school

There are no pupils with statements of special educational needs. The great majority of pupils have English as an additional language.

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Evaluation of the school

The school provides a sound education. Educational provision is improving because of the strong commitment and dedication of the headteacher, staff and volunteers. The school enjoys a good reputation amongst parents because they like the balance between secular and religious education. The strong and caring ethos of the school has allowed it to achieve an institution that successfully combines sound academic education within the spiritual framework of Islam so that pupils make excellent gains in their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. As a result of satisfactory curricular provision and teaching overall, most pupils make sound progress in their learning. Outstanding behaviour and attitudes are reflective of excellent pupil management by staff. Matters relating to pupils’ health and safety are catered for well. All the regulations are met.

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Quality of education

The curriculum, including the secular, is satisfactory overall. It is broadly divided into academic education in the morning and Islamic in the afternoon. The curriculum includes mathematics, literacy, science, geography, art, Islamic studies and Arabic through study of the Qu’ran. Provision for physical education (PE) is just acceptable. The school has positive plans to address the constraints of the accommodation. The curriculum for the Foundation Stage is satisfactory. Children in the Reception class follow subjects that are similar to the rest of the school. Information communications technology (ICT) has yet to be established in these new premises but work to create a separate suite is well advanced and refurbishment of the room is nearly complete. Records show that pupils’ skills in ICT are satisfactory and the school is keen to extend these skills as soon as possible. Schemes of work are in place, although they

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Quality of education

are a little limited in terms of detailed guidance for teachers.

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Quality of education

Personal, social and health education (PSHE) is taught through a planned programme of assemblies, as well as through science and Islamic studies. PSHE is effective in bringing about good personal development. Opportunities to write poetry are making a significant contribution to spiritual development. For example, one older pupil recently wrote ‘Allah made the sun. He taught me how to read and how to climb a tree. He gave me eyes so I can see all the beautiful things around me. So I love Allah and I know Allah loves me because he gave me everything for free’. The school does not provide any after-school activities or clubs and there are very few educational trips. A significant number of parents want to see better provision for extra-curricular activities.

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Quality of education

Islamic education is good. Routines for the remembrance of Allah, prayers, fasting and raising awareness about Islam are well established.

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Quality of education

The quality of teaching, including in the Foundation Stage, is satisfactory overall. This ensures satisfactory progress overall. Pupils beyond Year 2 are gender segregated as is preferred by parents. Characteristic of teaching at this school is the good attention to developing reading, writing, speaking and listening. This has resulted in good progress in literacy for many pupils. The pace of lessons is satisfactory. Classroom resources are used effectively but are minimal for most subjects. A high level of pupils’ self-discipline makes a significant contribution to learning. For instance, in a girls’ science lesson about growing up, pupils listened to the teacher and only talked when they were invited to debate issues including health and safety. Individual lesson planning is just satisfactory. However, planning to extend the most able pupils is weak. For instance, not enough attention is given to

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Quality of education

ensuring that they are sufficiently challenged and motivated in their work.

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Quality of education

Assessment procedures are sound. Pupils are assessed twice a year in all subject areas. The use of information to develop the curriculum is an improving feature. Pupils’ workbooks are regularly marked but opportunities to communicate with pupils about progress and setting learning targets are occasionally missed. A marking policy is currently being developed because the school has rightly identified the need to provide better feedback to pupils on their work.

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Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of the pupils

Pupils are well prepared for the future. The school successfully meets its aims to ‘nurture both the spirit and the mind so that our children grow up as well rounded individuals’ and are ‘thoroughly Islamic in conduct’. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is good overall. Spiritual and moral development is very strong. Pupils are encouraged to examine their inner feelings and have very good chance to discuss their faith, behaviour and everyday events. Consequently, pupils develop very high level of self-awareness, sensitivity and respect for others. Discussions and debates on issues such as discrimination, stereo-typing and animal rights have enabled pupils to develop a very strong moral code and to respect the law.

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Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of the pupils

Adults are excellent role models for pupils and take every opportunity to stress the importance of good manners and kindness towards others. Islamic studies make a significant contribution to personal development and include topics such as social conventions and good citizenship. Consequently, social development is good. Pupils are keen to help others and carry out monitor duties and other tasks, making a good contribution to the school community.

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Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of the pupils

Parents appreciate the beneficial effect the school has had on their children’s personal development and behaviour. The school’s golden rules about ‘caring, speaking, listening, moving and learning’ are promoted exceptionally well. Consequently, attitudes towards learning and behaviour are excellent. These factors make a significant contribution to progress. Pupils enjoy learning and are happy in school. Attendance is good and the school actively discourages unnecessary extended family holidays.

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Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of the pupils

Pupils’ awareness of their own culture is very strong and they show respect for other cultures. However, there is not enough provision for pupils to learn in any depth about the traditions, values and beliefs of others.

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Welfare, health and safety of the pupils

There is good provision for pupils’ welfare, health and safety. Pupils are well cared for and all the required records and policies are in place. This includes policies and procedures for safeguarding and child protection. The school has implemented a system to identify and manage potential risks to safety and is in the process of completing risk assessments. This work is on-going as the school has recently moved to the current premises. Health and safety education is improving. Opportunities are taken to discuss issues in science and the school is developing links with the police and fire service so that officers can give talks in school.

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Welfare, health and safety of the pupils

Pupils are well supervised and very good behaviour is promoted at all times. For instance, many members of staff are on duty at break-times to ensure that pupils play safely. Pupils are encouraged to work hard and make progress in their learning. For instance, a good system of reward is in place whereby pupils can gain items of stationery and treats for good work and behaviour. Relationships at all levels are very strong. This contributes to the calm and happy working atmosphere in the school where everyone is treated with respect. The anti-bullying policy is effective. Both parents and pupils say that bullying is not a problem. The school meets the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act 2002.

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Suitability of the proprietor and staff

Appropriate checks are carried out on all staff and these have been satisfactorily completed. Recruitment procedures comply with the regulations. The school maintains a single central record of Criminal Records Bureau checks at an enhanced level as is required.

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School’s premises and accommodation

The school is situated very close to the centre of Blackburn and moved to its current address in July 2007. The accommodation was formerly a day nursery. The school is expecting to gradually increase the number of pupils on roll to 130. This number can be accommodated.

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School’s premises and accommodation

The premises and accommodation enable pupils to learn effectively, safely and securely. There are eight reasonably sized classrooms for teaching and learning located on two floors. Classrooms are airy, bright and comfortable. Space for assemblies and prayer is adequate. There are good facilities for washing. A separate ICT suite is being prepared and is at an advanced stage of completion. Outdoor playing space is well managed. The school realises that outdoor and indoor space for PE is limited and is trying to develop additional opportunities in the community. For instance, the use of the local park and other community facilities are being explored.

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Provision of information for parents, carers and others

The school has a helpful prospectus and computer based information. The prospectus provides all the information required for parents and prospective parents. It complies fully with the regulations and advises parents on the availability on request, of all relevant school policies and other documentation.

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Procedures for handling complaints

The school’s policy and procedures meet requirements. There is a policy document and parents are informed in the school brochure that it is available upon request.

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Compliance with regulatory requirements

The school meets all of the Education (Independent School Standards) (England) Regulations 2003 as amended January 2005.

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What the school could do to improve further

While not required by the regulations, the school might wish to consider the following points for development:

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What the school could do to improve further

 Raise the standard of teaching so that pupils make better rates of progress in their learning  Extend lesson planning to provide higher levels of challenge for the most able pupils so that they can improve their rate of progress  Provide more opportunities for pupils to develop their awareness of the traditions, values and beliefs of others so that the school can achieve its aims in this regard.

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School details

Name of school Rawdhatul Uloom School DCSF number 8896003 Unique reference number 119848 Type of school S Status Independent Date school opened Age range of pupils 5-14 Gender of pupils Mixed Number on roll (full-time pupils) Boys: 47 Girls: 51 Total:98 Number on roll (part-time pupils) Boys: NA Girls: NA Total: NA Number of boarders Boys: NA Girls: NA Total: NA Number of pupils with a statement of special educational need Boys: NA Girls: NA Total: NA Number of pupils who are looked after Boys: NA Girls: NA Total: NA Annual fees (day pupils) £840 Annual fees (boarders) £ NA Address of school 184 Whalley Old Road Blackburn Lancashire BB1 5NZ Telephone number 01254670017 Fax number 01254670017 Email address wasway@supanet.com Headteacher Mr A W Wasway Proprietor Siddiqiyya Educational Trust Reporting inspector Saleem Hussain AI Dates of inspection 24-25 October 2007

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