About This Article
Zoom Testing has provided drug testing products and information for over 20 years. This archived article preserves our September 2017 reporting on serious concerns raised by Ofsted inspectors about pupil welfare, behaviour and teaching standards at Ummid Independent School in West Yorkshire.
Originally published: 21 September 2017 | Reviewed: 10 October 2026 | By: Anthony Cunningham
From the Zoom Testing Archive: This article was originally published on 21 September 2017 and records findings and circumstances reported following an Ofsted inspection of Ummid Independent School. The school subsequently closed permanently on 30 May 2018. School safeguarding guidance, drug testing practices and relevant circumstances may have changed since the original publication. For current drug testing information and guidance, please see our latest articles.
At a West Yorkshire school, a school where students excluded from other schools go, inspectors noticed that students were coming to school intoxicated and were rolling cigarettes while in class.
Ofsted inspectors rated Ummid Independent School as “inadequate”. The school had two locations in Bradford and another one in Halifax. In the report, they stated that these changes must be made “as a matter of urgency”.
Two of the school’s locations were closed and a review was launched.
The private school’s website stated that they provided long-term and short-term placements to children of secondary-school age who had social, learning, emotional and behavioural problems and “whose needs cannot be met in a mainstream setting”.
There were 31 students, according to Ofsted, and fees ranged from £50 to £185 daily.
Inadequate In Every Area
The school was rated as inadequate in every area, with the biggest concerns being the safety of the students, their behaviour as well as the quality of teaching.
The report pointed out that the required safety checks on the adults to ensure that they were qualified to work with these kinds of students were not done.
The report also noted that there weren’t enough staff members with first aid training and training in proper fire evacuation procedures.
At one of the Bradford locations, the report stated that in terms of behaviour, this location was making “stronger progress” and the students’ self-esteem and self-confidence were improving.
But they also said that a number of students were not behaving well and the overall attendance was not up to par.
Some students only had classes in maths and English due to a shortage of staff, the report pointed out.
It added that the independent school standards requirements were not being met with this restricted curriculum and that it limited the progress of the students.
The Halifax location was closed by the board immediately after the report came out and it also temporarily closed one of the Bradford schools. They also stated that they were reviewing their future educational offerings.
In the statement, they said immediate action was taken when they were notified and they now had a clearer vision of the standards.
They were looking to make bigger investments to ensure they provided a service that the students, their parents or guardians and teachers would be proud of.
Subsequent development: Ummid Independent School permanently closed on 30 May 2018, according to the Department for Education’s official establishment register. The original inspection findings remain part of the school’s historical record. See the Department for Education establishment record.
Finding a School Drug Test
Schools considering drug testing should first establish an appropriate drug policy and seek professional advice about safeguarding, consent, confidentiality and the interpretation of results. A drug screening test does not, by itself, establish whether a pupil is impaired or confirm drug misuse. Any testing arrangements should be considered alongside the school’s safeguarding responsibilities and relevant guidance.
The Department for Education provides drug advice for schools, together with guidance on searching, screening and confiscation and keeping children safe in education. These should be consulted before developing or changing school procedures.
Photo Credit: “Project 365 #64: 050309 Didn’t They Do W” (Public Domain) by comedy_nose. Retained for the original featured image.
About the Author
Anthony Cunningham, BA (Hons), MA, is a UK-based drug testing expert and editor with over 20 years’ experience running Zoom Testing, a trusted source for accurate drug testing kits and testing guidance. He creates clear, evidence-based articles using UK legislation, workplace compliance standards, and harm reduction best practices. Where possible, content is reviewed by testing specialists and compliance professionals to enhance accuracy and reliability, helping readers make informed testing decisions.
Drug Testing Disclaimer
This article is for general information only. Drug test cut-off levels, detection times and results can vary according to the test, specimen type and testing standard being used. A screening result should not be used on its own to make medical, legal or employment decisions. Where a test result has significant consequences, appropriate confirmation testing and professional advice should be considered.
