The British Muslim School

Strengths

• Recruitment checks on staff, supply staff, and the proprietor are appropriate and recorded on the single central record.
• Leaders understand recruitment processes and apply them appropriately.
• Staff show a secure understanding of safeguarding expectations regarding safer recruitment.
• The single central record is sufficiently detailed and well maintained.
• Information available on the school's website is mostly compliant, including arrangements for handling complaints, admissions, and attendance.
• Leaders provide required information to the relevant authorities, including attendance records and notifications for pupils who have left.

Areas for Improvement

• The proprietor does not ensure that the independent school standards are met consistently.
• Leaders do not have a secure understanding of safeguarding and health and safety risks.
• Safeguarding arrangements are ineffective and weaknesses are systemic and longstanding.
• Pupils report feeling unsafe and lack confidence that concerns will be acted on.
• Records of safeguarding concerns are poor quality, incomplete, and do not align with pupils' accounts.
• Leaders do not consistently refer concerns to external agencies when required.
• There are serious concerns about staff conduct toward pupils, including inappropriate language and threatening behaviour.
• Behaviour and bullying are not managed effectively; pupils report ongoing disruption and intimidation.
• Supervision of pupils is not effective, particularly in boarding and during less structured times.
• Health and safety systems are not established effectively; checks, maintenance, and record-keeping are inconsistent.
• Fire safety arrangements are ineffective, with incomplete records and out-of-date equipment.
• First aid and medication arrangements are unsafe; medication is not managed appropriately.
• Risk assessment processes are not implemented consistently and do not adequately reduce risks.
• Toilet and washing facilities are not sufficiently clean or well maintained, with hygiene concerns.
• The medical room is not maintained to an appropriate standard and is not fit for purpose.
• The school environment is not managed effectively to keep pupils safe.
• Boarding leadership and management monitoring systems are ineffective.
• Boarding accommodation is poorly maintained, with damaged furniture and poor hygiene.
• Boarding food provision is limited in quality and variety, and dining areas are not hygienic.
• Safeguarding in boarding is not effective, with significant concerns about staff conduct.
• Boarders' health and wellbeing are not effectively monitored; medication procedures are insecure.
• Fire safety in boarding is not effective, with inadequate equipment and staff training.
• Complaints processes for boarders are not effective; some boarders do not know who to speak to.
• Behaviour management in boarding is disproportionate and prefects are inappropriately involved.
• Relationships between boarders are not managed effectively; younger boarders feel unsafe.
• Staffing and supervision in boarding are weak; sometimes only one member of staff is available.
• Mandatory staff training, including fire safety and medication, is not up to date.

• Primary Schools
• Secondary Schools