AN INDEPENDENT Islamic girls’ school has received a much improved inspection report eight months after being given the lowest-possible rating from Ofsted.

Ghausia Girl’s High School in Nelson was reviewed by the education watchdog last month for the first time since September.

The Cross Street school, which teaches 35 girls between the ages of 11 and 16, has been open since 1996.

Last year it was criticised for its leadership, teaching, the personal development, behaviour and welfare of the pupils and their outcomes.

However an unannounced monitoring inspection on May 18 found “the quality of teaching, learning and assessment has improved and pupils are making faster progress than previously”.

But Ofsted still concluded that it didn’t meet the independent school standards it required.

The report, by lead inspector David Selby, said: “The improvement to English teaching, learning and assessment means that pupils are now better prepared for life in modern Britain.”

Concerns were raised about a lack of an outdoor play area at the schools, which charges £1,250 per year in fees per pupil.

The report said: “It is not possible for pupils to play outside while remaining on the school site.

“Pupils are taken to a local park to play when the weather is good enough.

“Pupils indicated that this typically happens no more frequently than once a fortnight.”

Since the previous inspection, a new governing body has been formed and the roles of head and deputy head teacher established, replacing the previous joint head teacher role.

Because of the lack of an outdoor play area the overall outcome of the reports was that independent school standards were not met.

Head teacher Shabana Riaz said: “Everybody at the school is delighted with the positive outcome of the progress monitoring inspection report.

“We have all worked really hard to address the issues raised in the last inspection report.

“This is due to the new governing body, staff training, a curriculum review, and revision of assessment and tracking systems.

“We are encouraged to create a positive learning environment, leveraging the passions, expertise and aspirations of its community around the British culture

“We are sorry that we don’t meet the independent school standards because of our lack of outside space.”

“We take them to the local park and to the Zone for their PE sessions on a regular basis.”