Ofsted has raised serious concerns over Jamia Islamia, an independent secondary school in Sparkbrook, Birmingham, highlighting critical failures in pupil safety, attendance, behaviour, and leadership.
The school received ‘urgent improvement’ ratings in four crucial areas, the lowest possible grade, including safeguarding standards and governance. Inspectors reported a worrying lack of a positive safeguarding culture, with staff reportedly untrained to identify or respond appropriately to pupils' welfare concerns.
A significant number of pupils were found to be persistently absent, a matter leaders and proprietors have failed to adequately address or tie to potential safeguarding risks. The report states that leadership lacks the professional curiosity necessary to safeguard pupils who are not attending school regularly.
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Ofsted also highlighted the absence of essential policies, such as those governing restrictive physical interventions, leaving pupils potentially vulnerable. Staff were unclear about the procedures for raising wellbeing concerns, and when concerns were raised, leaders did not respond promptly, placing pupils at risk.
The proprietor has been criticized for insufficient oversight and failure to meet statutory responsibilities, including providing appropriate Relationships and Sex Education aligned with Department for Education guidance.
Overall, the report paints a picture of systemic weaknesses stemming from a lack of understanding of the roles and responsibilities crucial to running an independent school effectively.
Jamia Islamia currently educates 130 boys and must urgently address these deficiencies to ensure the safety and wellbeing of its pupils and comply with independent school standards.
Attempts to contact the school for comment have been unsuccessful.