Darul Uloom Islamic High School

Darul Uloom Islamic High School is an independent day school located in Birmingham, catering for male pupils aged 11 to 16. Established in 1985, the school is managed by the adjacent Jami Mosque and Islamic Centre, with trustees from the mosque providing governance alongside local community advisors. The school day is structured into a morning session focused on Islamic Studies and an afternoon session that includes a variety of national curriculum subjects. Since the last inspection, there have been changes in leadership, including the appointment of a new headteacher and chair of trustees.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the school was closed from March to August 2020, during which it provided remote learning materials to all pupils. The inspection process was adapted to include both remote and on-site evidence gathering to minimize contact. The Department for Education's guidance during this period meant that the effectiveness of the school's provisions during the closure was not evaluated. Public examinations were not held in 2020 and 2021, and pupils received centre-assessed and teacher-assessed grades instead.

The school's mission is to cultivate respectful, law-abiding, and tolerant British Muslims who are well-versed in Islamic knowledge and can serve as role models in their communities. The school aims to foster an environment of respect, tolerance, understanding, and solidarity, placing Allah and His Messenger at the core of its educational philosophy. The pupil demographic primarily consists of Muslim families from the local area, with national standardized test data indicating that the pupils' abilities are average. The school has not identified any pupils with special educational needs or disabilities, although all pupils are recognized as having English as an additional language.

The inspection report highlights that the school does not meet all the required standards set by the Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014. The quality of education provided is generally good, with evidence showing that teaching enables pupils to make good progress. The curriculum is well-documented and covers the necessary breadth of material, supported by effective behavior management and suitable resources. Relationships and sex education is provided in accordance with statutory requirements, and the standards related to the quality of education are met.

In terms of spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development, the school actively promotes principles and values that help develop pupils into responsible and tolerant citizens. This aspect of the school's provision meets the required standards. The welfare, health, and safety of pupils are also prioritized, with good behavior being promoted and bullying effectively prevented. Health and safety requirements are met, and there is a strategic approach to risk assessment. However, the safeguarding policy does not fully comply with current statutory guidance, particularly regarding the Keeping Children Safe in Education framework. While staff safeguarding training is conducted regularly, there is a lack of effective processes to ensure that all staff understand their roles in promoting pupil welfare. Some suitability checks for trustees have not been completed prior to their appointment, which raises concerns about governance.

The school has appropriate checks in place to ensure the suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors, and maintains a register as required. The premises and accommodation meet the necessary standards, providing suitable facilities for pupils' needs, including adequate toilet and changing facilities, as well as outdoor space for physical education.

The school provides a range of information to parents, inspectors, and the Department for Education, including details about the curriculum, admissions, behavior, and health and safety. However, some required information has not been readily available, particularly during the period when the school's website was down, indicating a failure to meet the standards for the provision of information.

Complaints from parents are handled effectively through a structured three-stage process, which includes informal, formal, and panel hearing stages. Records of complaints and actions taken are maintained appropriately, meeting the required standards for handling complaints.

Despite some strengths in the school's provision, the leadership and management have not demonstrated the necessary skills and knowledge to ensure that all standards are consistently met. There is a need for improvement in ensuring that all staff understand their roles in promoting pupil welfare and that statutory guidance is fully adhered to. The leadership must also ensure that all required information is provided to stakeholders in a timely manner.

In summary, while Darul Uloom Islamic High School has several positive aspects in its educational provision, including a well-structured curriculum and a commitment to the spiritual and moral development of pupils, there are significant areas for improvement, particularly in safeguarding, leadership, and the provision of information. Immediate action is required to address the deficiencies identified in the inspection report to ensure compliance with the necessary standards and to promote the well-being of all pupils effectively.