AN Islamic girls school in Blackburn has been told by education inspectors that it must do more to stretch its brightest pupils.

But Ofsted officials say they have witnessed signs of improvement at Al Islah Girls’ High School after a visit last month.

Last year the school, in Audley Range, was rated as ‘inadequate’ amid concerns about the lack of clarity over its leadership roles and responsibilities and concerns over safeguarding policies.

And managers at the school, which charges annual fees of £1,300, told the Lancashire Telegraph they were “extremely disappointed” at the inspection outcome.

However when Jean Olsson-Law and Lenford White returned to Al Islah, over three days last month, they found elements of the organisation had improved.

The effectiveness of leadership and management, and the personal development and welfare of students was ‘good’.

However the quality of teaching and outcome for pupils still needed attention at the school, according to Ofsted.

Ms Olsson-Law, the lead inspector, said: “The most able pupils are not fully engaged in learning because they have little to do when they finish their work in class.”

Teaching was said to be not well-matched to the needs and abilities of students in Years 7, 8 and 9, so progress was not felt to be consistently good. There was also not enough consistency when it came to assessment and homework and feedback for pupils, as intended by leaders, and the pupils’ maths and IT skills were not considered to be as developed as their literacy skills.

But among the school’s strengths were the standards of teaching in history and religious studies, and for English in Years 10 and 11.

Inspectors praised teachers for their “good subject knowledge” as part of a broad and balanced curriculum, and conversely their approach to safeguarding has now been lauded. It was noted that good progress was made in Years 10 and 11 and the school could boast above-average GCSE results.

The attention paid to the personal development of the girls had also reaped rewards, supplemented by effective careers advice.

Fifty-eight pupils are reported to be on the roll at Al Islah, which has installed a new leadership team and acting headteacher since the last inspection.

The inspectors also observed that the girls had to go off-site for PE lessons and had limited opportunities for outdoor exercise.

Hasan Desai, governors chairman, said: "Since the last Ofsted inspection in 2016, Al Islah Girls' High School has undergone many immense changes which has given rise to the current positive developments in school.

"The new governing body which came into place in December 2016 have all worked skilfully and competently with the new headteacher and the current acting headteacher in improving the prodigy and the 'culture of learning' in the school.

"We have heavily invested in many school resources and means which in turn has generated a more clear and constructive learning environment for our school girls.

"The staff body is happy here and are well supported through the training programmes which the school provides.

"We have every belief the school will progress and develop efficiently and we look forward to a more prosperous and flourishing academic year."

Acting headteacher Nikhat Pardesi added: "I am proud of our school and the teachers work extremely hard to make learning fun and exciting.

"We work as a very close team and strive to involve parents as much as possible in the learning of their children."

She said she believed that pupils left the school, after Year 11, as "confident, mature women who have the buoyancy to succeed wherever they go".

She added: "We aim to provide a broad and balanced education for all the girls within a happy, stimulating and healthy environment and we want each student to achieve the best she can.

"We have excellent teachers, office staff and welfare assistants who all work as a very close team. Our governing body plays an essential role in the development and success of the school. We have a strong sense of community."