Leaflets condemning music and dancing found during inspection of Muslim school

Leaflets branding music and dancing as "acts of devil" have been found during an Ofsted inspection of a Muslim faith school.

The schools watchdog said copies of the "highly concerning" leaflet were discovered in areas used by pupils and leaders during a progress monitoring visit to Birmingham's Darul Uloom Islamic High School.

Ofsted's latest report on the independent school, which opened in 1985, said a number of serious pupil safeguarding concerns were identified during the unannounced inspection on May 12.

Darul Uloom, in Small Heath, was subjected to a full Ofsted inspection last October when its overall effectiveness was rated as inadequate.

It then drew up an improvement action plan which was evaluated by inspectors in February.

The latest Ofsted report, published this week, said: "Leaders and staff have had training in preventing extremism and radicalisation, and been given the latest Government safeguarding guidance.

"However, the impact of this work has not rectified safeguarding weaknesses.

"A large number of copies of a leaflet containing highly concerning and extremist views, such as 'Music, dancing and singing are acts of devil and prohibited', were discovered during the inspection.

"The leaflets were found in areas shared by the school and adjoining mosque which are used by leaders and in areas used by the pupils from the school."

Inspectors were also critical of Darul Uloom - which caters for boys aged 11 to 16 - for failing to provide pupil progress information.

Ofsted said: "Governors do not have an accurate picture of the strengths and weaknesses of the school, as they are not provided with detailed progress information and are not aware of ongoing safeguarding weaknesses."