Who Inspects Faith Schools? Ofsted's Role Explained

Faith schools in the UK are inspected by Ofsted, but the type of inspection depends on whether the school is independent or state-funded. If a faith school is independent, it will be inspected by Ofsted or the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI). If it is state-funded, it will be inspected by Ofsted under Section 5 and Section 8 of the Education Act 2005, and will also have a separate, additional inspection under Section 48 of the same act. This second inspection is carried out by inspectors appointed by the school's governing body.

Independent faith schools failing Ofsted inspections

Ofsted is "the Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills". It is a UK government-run organisation that inspects and regulates places of education and children’s care services within England. Ofsted reports directly to Parliament and is independent and impartial, though strongly connected to government funding.

Ofsted carries out standard inspections of schools at the request of the Department for Education (DfE). This is to ensure schools meet a good standard of education and to provide information to schools and parents.

Independent faith schools

Faith schools fall under the category of independent schools. Ofsted inspects non-association independent schools, which include faith schools. All other faith schools are inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI), which is also government-run and approved by the DfE.

Failures in independent faith schools

A growing proportion of independent faith schools are being failed by Ofsted. Official statistics show that 49% of private faith schools inspected by Ofsted were judged less than good at their most recent inspection, and 26% were inadequate. This is a sharp decline from 2014 when 79% were judged good or outstanding.

Since the introduction of new standards focusing on leadership and fundamental British values, a higher proportion of weaker faith schools are failing compared to non-faith schools. Ofsted figures show that 81 out of 139 independent Muslim schools were found to be less than good, 39 were inadequate, one-third of Christian schools were judged less than good, and of 58 Jewish schools, more than half were inadequate or required improvement.

Ofsted has also taken over the inspection of more faith schools, triggering a larger fall in the proportion judged good or better. There are also concerns that failing schools are taking too long to improve, with particular concerns around safeguarding, which was found to be ineffective in 17% of schools inspected.

Examples of failures

Examples of failures in independent faith schools include:

• Darul Uloom Islamic high school in Birmingham was judged inadequate for failing to promote fundamental British values and putting pupils' safety at risk with "haphazard" staff checks.
• Cornerstone school, a small Christian faith school in Epsom, was reported to have a "limited view of the world" and was not "open to the views of those who might have different beliefs".
• Al-Ameen primary school in Birmingham was found to have inappropriate literature about extremist, sexist, or partisan views and failed to teach basic facts about British institutions.
• Covenant Christian school in Stockport was found to have dangerous tools and sharp knives that were not locked away in the design and technology room.
• Springfield Christian school in London employed staff without carrying out required criminal background checks.
• Yesodey Hatorah School, an ultra-Orthodox Jewish school in London, was rated inadequate for displaying a lack of “fundamental British values” and breaking equality laws.
• Vishnitz Girls School, an Orthodox Jewish school in London, failed for the third time for not teaching LGBT issues and failing to give pupils a “full understanding of fundamental British values”.

Concerns about leadership and teaching of British values

Ofsted has raised concerns about the leadership and teaching of British values in faith schools. In 2017, official statistics showed a sharp decline in inspection outcomes for smaller, fee-paying schools, particularly faith schools. Ofsted's report attributed this decline partly to the introduction of new standards that focus on leadership and fundamental British values.

In 2015, Ofsted inspectors uncovered "serious concerns" during visits to private Islamic and Christian faith schools across England. Nine out of 22 schools were judged inadequate, with eight others requiring improvement. Ofsted's chief inspector, Sir Michael Wilshaw, wrote to the education secretary, Nicky Morgan, expressing worry that pupils were "not being adequately prepared for life in modern Britain". Wilshaw also noted that efforts to promote and embed British values were undermined by leaders' failure to model good practice.

Ofsted's 2017 report highlighted deep concerns that some faith schools were "spreading beliefs that clash with British values" and could undermine tolerance and respect. However, critics argue that Ofsted's report lacks clarity on what constitutes "fundamental British values". This ambiguity has led to concerns that faith schools will be targeted by opponents for failing to meet undefined standards.

The introduction of new standards has had a significant impact on inspection outcomes, particularly for faith schools. Ofsted's report acknowledged that the increase in the number of faith schools it inspects has contributed to the decline in the proportion judged good or better. The report also revealed that a higher proportion of weaker faith schools are failing to meet requirements related to leadership and British values when compared to non-faith schools.

Ofsted's concerns about leadership and teaching of British values in faith schools are part of a broader context of ensuring that schools prepare pupils for life in modern Britain and promote tolerance and respect. While the introduction of new standards has led to a decline in inspection outcomes, it remains to be seen whether this will lead to long-term improvements in the leadership and teaching of British values in faith schools.

Religious bodies inspecting faith schools

In England, faith schools are generally inspected by Ofsted, the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI), or a religious body. The type of inspection a faith school undergoes depends on whether it is an independent or state school.

Ofsted inspects non-association independent schools, including faith schools within this category. The ISI inspects independent state schools and is approved by the Department for Education (DfE). The ISI ensures schools have a scheduled inspection every three years or so.

However, most faith schools will also be inspected by a religious body. For example, Church of England and Catholic schools are inspected by the relevant diocese, which works with the Framework for the Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools (SIAMS) or the Catholic Education Service's framework.

Jewish schools are inspected by Pikuach, the Jewish Studies Education Inspection Service, while Muslim schools are inspected by the Association of Muslim Schools (AMS). Most Sikh schools are inspected by the Network of Sikh Organisations. Hindu schools are inspected by the Krishna Avanti Trust.

These religious bodies have their own inspection frameworks and inspectors, and their inspections focus on the school's religious character and how it aligns with the faith's principles and teachings.

The Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI)

ISI's primary role is to inspect and evaluate the quality of education provided by independent schools. It conducts routine inspections every six years, with two inspections in this cycle, and also undertakes non-routine inspections when needed. The routine inspections are of two types: regulatory compliance and educational quality with focused compliance. The inspections cover various aspects of school life, including the quality of education, spiritual and cultural development of pupils, welfare and health and safety, suitability of staff, premises, and leadership.

ISI also has the responsibility to inspect British schools overseas under the UK government's British Schools Overseas accreditation scheme. Additionally, it is appointed by the Home Office to inspect private further education colleges and language schools in England and Wales.

ISI ensures that independent schools meet the Independent Schools Standards, and its reports are made public on its website. These reports provide a comprehensive overview of a school's provision, including evaluations of the curriculum, teaching, pastoral care, welfare, health and safety, and leadership. While ISI does not give an overarching judgement, it provides an assessment of how well the school meets relevant standards and regulations.

ISI works in collaboration with Ofsted, sharing best practices, and Ofsted also monitors the quality of service provided by ISI. This collaboration ensures a consistent approach to school inspections and maintains high standards across the education sector.

Ofsted's Education Inspection Framework (EIF)

The EIF provides guidance for inspectors on how to conduct inspections and make judgements about the quality of education, curriculum, behaviour, and development within these educational settings. It is designed to ensure that schools meet a good standard of education and are encouraged to improve where necessary.

Under the EIF, Ofsted will inspect non-association independent schools, which include faith schools within this category. These inspections typically occur once every three or four years and involve evaluating the school's leadership, curriculum, teaching quality, and pupils' development, behaviour, and welfare. The inspectors will gather information by talking to the headteacher, staff, pupils, and parents, as well as observing lessons.

Faith schools that are not non-association independent schools will be inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI), which is also a government-run organisation approved by the Department for Education (DfE). The ISI ensures that schools have a scheduled inspection every three years and follow the Independent Schools Standards.

It is important to note that faith schools will also typically undergo a separate, additional inspection under Section 48 of the Education Act 2005. This inspection focuses on the school's religious character, including faith-based criteria in admissions, religious education, and collective worship. The specific details of this inspection may vary depending on the faith and denomination of the school.

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