Islamiyah School

Islamiyah School is a small independent Muslim school in Blackburn that is performing strongly overall. Inspectors found pupils, including disadvantaged pupils and those with SEND, make very strong progress and achieve consistently well, with attainment above national averages over time. Attendance is high, persistent absence is rare, and pupils' behaviour is excellent. Inclusion is a particular strength, with precise identification of needs and effective support. Leadership and governance are also strong, with a clear vision, effective oversight, and all independent school standards met. Safeguarding standards are met. Personal development and wellbeing are strong, with a rich programme that builds confidence, leadership and community engagement. The main area for improvement is curriculum and teaching, which was graded at the expected standard rather than strong. While the curriculum has been substantially redesigned and is ambitious, teachers do not consistently check pupils' understanding or address misconceptions and gaps in knowledge swiftly across all subjects. This means some pupils may not have errors revisited thoroughly enough, and subsequent activities are not always reshaped quickly to close gaps. The report notes this is not consistent across the curriculum. The school has seen significant changes in leadership and governance since the previous inspection, including a new headteacher, deputy headteacher, governors and chair of the proprietor body. Inspectors found a positive, collaborative ethos and a strong sense of pride among staff, pupils, parents and carers. The next step is for leaders to ensure teachers address misconceptions and gaps in pupils' knowledge swiftly and consistently well across the curriculum.

Strengths

• Pupils, including disadvantaged pupils and those with SEND, progress very well through the curriculum.
• Attainment in national examinations is consistently above national averages over time.
• Many pupils secure high GCSE grades in English and mathematics.
• Disadvantaged pupils achieve consistently well in external examinations.
• Pupils write with fluency and confidence by the time they leave.
• Pupils move on to appropriate education, employment or training matching their abilities and aspirations.
• Overall attendance is above national averages and persistent absence is rare.
• Leaders respond intelligently and provide early, targeted support when attendance dips.
• Pupils embody the school's expectations for behaviour, tolerance and respect.
• High standards of self-control and maturity are evident in classrooms and around the site.
• Older pupils are excellent role models to younger pupils.
• Pupils are engaged in lessons and confident that staff deal with concerns fairly and quickly.
• Leaders identify pupils' needs with precision and provide timely, consistent, high-quality support.
• Expectations are high for disadvantaged pupils and those with SEND, and support reduces gaps in achievement.
• The 'Going for Gold' provision provides valued additional guidance and wraparound support.
• Senior leaders have a clear, ambitious vision and know the school extremely well.
• The proprietor and governors fulfil their responsibilities diligently and provide robust challenge and support.
• All independent school standards are met consistently.
• Staff appreciate professional learning opportunities and there is a strong sense of teamwork.
• The school's personal development programme is ambitious and well-structured.
• Pupils benefit from a rich range of clubs, trips and activities, including cultural and community experiences.
• Pupils develop secure knowledge in PSHE, healthy relationships, safety and British values.
• Careers education and guidance are consistently effective and impartial.
• The curriculum has been substantially redesigned and is carefully constructed and logically ordered.
• Teachers typically use secure subject knowledge to explain concepts clearly and help pupils make connections.
• Teachers adapt their teaching well so disadvantaged pupils and those with SEND can access the curriculum.
• Pupils regularly read and discuss ambitious texts, reinforcing a culture of reading for enjoyment.
• Pupils flourish, feel a warm sense of belonging, and form respectful, caring relationships.
• Pupils' behaviour is excellent, and bullying is rare and dealt with swiftly.
• Pupils develop as active citizens through community activities such as litter-picking and fundraising.

Areas for Improvement

• Teachers do not consistently check pupils' understanding across all subjects.
• Teachers sometimes do not revisit pupils' errors thoroughly enough.
• Teachers do not always reshape subsequent activities to address gaps in understanding as quickly as they could.
• Leaders should ensure misconceptions and gaps in pupils' knowledge are addressed swiftly and consistently well across the curriculum.

In 2025–26, 5.9% of pupils at Islamiyah School were on SEN support (nationally 18.4%) and 0.0% had an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 7.9%).

Source: Department for Education, Special educational needs in England (the 2025–26 school census). SEN support is extra help in school without an EHC plan. National figures are for all state-funded independent school schools. Counts are as published, with small numbers not hidden.

• Primary Schools
• Secondary Schools

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What is Islamiyah School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Islamiyah School is Expected standard, from an inspection in June 2026.

When was Islamiyah School last inspected by Ofsted?

Islamiyah School was last inspected in June 2026.

How many pupils does Islamiyah School have?

Islamiyah School has 153 pupils on roll.

What age range does Islamiyah School cover?

Islamiyah School for pupils aged 11 to 16.

What are Islamiyah School's GCSE results?

In 2026 its average Attainment 8 score was 47.0, and 47% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in both English and maths GCSE.

Where is Islamiyah School?

Islamiyah School is at Willow Street, Little Harwood, Blackburn, Lancashire, BB1 5NQ.