Darul Madinah

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 2 July 2024

The school's motto of 'nurturing learners, making a positive contribution and championing faith' is highly evident. From the minute they join the school, staff make sure that everyone feels part of the close-knit Darul Madinah family. Staff get to know the pupils and their families very well. This helps everyone feel happy and safe. Pupils benefit from highly individualised support in this small but growing school. Staff share the same high ambition for all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). The school's underpinning values are apparent in the way pupils behave. They are highly respectful of each other and are proud of their inclusive school. Older pupils look out for younger children in the playground. The recent addition of a 'friendship bench' helps everyone feel included. Children settle into Reception quickly. They learn to be independent from the outset. Caring staff teach them school routines and expectations. Across all year groups, pupils focus well during lessons and do not disrupt each other's learning. Parents are positive about the school and value the individual support their children receive. Many commented about how dedicated and caring the staff are. One parent, typical of many, told inspectors, 'My child loves coming to this school and is thriving here.'

What the school should improve

• Work to develop the wider curriculum is very recent and in some cases is yet to be reviewed. This means that not all staff adapt their teaching to enable all pupils, including pupils with SEND, to learn the ambitious curriculum as well as they could. The school needs to complete its work to develop the curriculum in full and ensure all staff are trained to deliver it effectively.
• Not all teachers check what pupils know or remember systematically. As a result, teachers do not select appropriate activities to enable pupils to build their learning over time securely. The school needs to ensure that all teachers accurately identify gaps and misconceptions and adapt their subsequent lessons to rectify these.
• Subject leadership roles and responsibilities in the wider curriculum have yet to be fully developed. As a result, rigorous staff training, monitoring and evaluation in these subjects is not yet in place. As the school continues to grow, the proprietor should ensure that subject leaders are appointed and equipped with sufficient knowledge and skills to conduct their roles effectively.

Read the full Ofsted report (opens in a new tab)