An Islamic girls’s school has implemented radical changes since a recent Ofsted inspection, it says.

Al Islah Girls High School, based in Blackburn, has brought in a new team of governors, trustees, teachers, staff and headteacher to take the school forward.
The new team is aiming to address key issues of improvement outlined in the November 2016 Ofsted report after being rated inadequate.

The school is a privately run secondary school for girls that has been operating since 1995. 

New headteacher Sabiha Patel said: “I accepted the post of Headteacher at Al Islah Girls High School after the inspection in November.

“I was taken back with the commitment and dedication of the students, teachers and the new management team.

“Al Islah Girls High School in the Ofsted report in the quality of teaching, learning and assessment classification were awarded ‘good’ and in the outcomes for pupils area of inspection category, it was awarded ‘good’, so we are working on a strong foundation, in those areas.

“I am really enjoying my time professionally in working with this new team of teachers, governors and trustees.

“I am already seeing some very positive changes, in a very short period, which will benefit the pupils and enhanced the school, even more.

“Al Islah Girls High School is moving in a new direction and I am glad I took this position to be part of this new dynamic team”.

Chair of Governors and Trustee Hasan Desai said: “To bring in professionals who are highly skilled and who have strong leadership qualities from the private or public sector is the new approach the school has taken.

“I am so humble to have taken this position as chair of governors and trustees. 
“I have worked in the private sector for the past 20 years, responsible for staff and operational aspects of a major organisation, with demanding targets to ensure the right results.

“This position for me is no different in ensuring we work in the right way and get the results in the right way. More importantly we make a difference to each child’s education and future.

“It’s important at Al Islah Girls High School that everyone from trustees to pupils have a common vision to succeed and make a difference in our communities. 

“The school has now under my leadership invested substantially to ensure our new strategic vision is met, so we can achieve excellence in academic and pastoral activities.

“This is a responsible job, children’s future are in our hands and parents put their trust in us to deliver. I will ensure that myself and my new team will not let them down”.

Moulana Mufti Ashraf Sidat is the current principal and presiding secretary general of Madrassa/Masjid e Noorul Islam and a new trustee of Al Islah Girls High School.
 
He said: “The Islamic emphasis on education in evident in the fact that the first word of Islam was iqra-read. As societies evolve, it’s imperative that organisations adapt and change to the tide.

“A new era brings a new set of challenges, which demands and warrants the best in terms of vision and priorities of safeguarding the ethno-religious fabric of future generations, whilst at the same time nurturing the future generations from academia into being exemplary, conscientious, and contributory members of British society.”

Schools inspection body Ofsted has amended a report it published following an inspection at an Islamic school in Blackburn.

FOOTNOTE: Al Islah Girls' High School was rated inadequate by Ofsted in November, as reported on January 12 in the (Lancashire Telegraph.)
Ofsted made changes to the 'governance' and 'information about the school' section of the report which referenced a former headteacher who had left the Audley Range school before the inspection was carried out.
A spokeswoman for Ofsted said, "The original report reflected the information provided to Ofsted at the time of the inspection, but it was changed when additional information was provided by the former headteacher and current school leadership."