AN ISLAMIC independent school is being monitored by the Department for Education for failing to promote fundamental British values, The Observer can reveal.

The curriculum at Islamic Shakhsiyah Foundation, based in Lion House, Petersfield Avenue, Slough, promotes 'a political system that did not support principles of British democracy’, Ofsted inspectors said.

The Secretary of State served a notice on the primary school – which charges parents £2,700-£3,360 per year – after a review of its Halaqah curriculum in January. An improvement plan was drawn up. However, after a follow up inspection in October, inspectors said standards are still not being met.

An Ofsted report, published at the end of October, read: “What becomes quickly evident in the lessons observed is that teachers are not using the daily Halaqah (circle of learning) sessions to deepen pupils’ thinking about British values, to help pupils connect these ideas and to relate them back to living in modern Britain.” But the school says the 'no-notice’ inspection was just two days after a new set of regulations on British values came into force. It says DfE guidance for schools on how to meet new regulations had not been published at the time, and still has not.

Headteacher Tahreem Sabir told The Observer this week: “Despite this, the report highlights much of the good work we do in meeting most of these regulations and preparing our children to be upright citizens who contribute positively to their local community and British society. We await the publication of the new guidance and will endeavour to meet the new regulations as soon as possible.” In January, the DfE said the school did not meet two requirements. One of them, that trustees failed to ensure there was no teaching of partisan political views or attempt to indoctrinate pupils, has now been met.

However, issues over the curriculum 'appearing to define an Islamic state as superior to other forms of democracy, including British democracy’ have still not been resolved.

Inspectors said: “There are still a number of examples where a one-dimensional view of the world is being given to pupils. There is very little in the displays in classrooms or in public spaces that balances the Muslim message with complementary views of other faiths and cultures.” The school said it would overhaul its curriculum, but inspectors said teachers are unsure how to manage views that counter those of the school’s stated aims.

Inspectors did note some improvements, including trips that broaden pupils’ knowledge and breadth of understanding, efforts to strengthen links with other schools and more emphasis is now given to teaching British history.

The primary school opened in 2002. It has a partner school in Haringey with which it shares its senior management team. There are 122 pupils on roll aged from three to 11 years.

Earlier this month, education secretary Nicky Morgan declared all faith schools must actively promote British values.

It followed the Trojan Horse plot in Birmingham, where Muslim hardliners allegedly tried to infiltrate schools to push their aggressive Islamist ethos.