Oakwood Primary School

Oakwood Primary School Independent school progress monitoring inspection report

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DfE registration number 821/6011 Unique Reference Number (URN) 135539 Inspection number 386036 Inspection dates 20 October 2011 Reporting inspector Fatiha Maitland achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you

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T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk No. 090137 Independent school progress monitoring inspection report

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Purpose and scope of the inspection

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under Section 162A of the Education Act 2002, as amended by schedule 8 of the Education Act 2005.

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Purpose and scope of the inspection

The inspection was conducted at the request of the Registration Authority for independent schools in order to monitor the progress the school has made in implementing its action plan following the previous inspection.

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Information about the school

Oakwood Primary School is a Muslim school. It opened in April 2008 and is registered for 72 places. The school admits pupils aged three to 11 years of any religious background. It is situated in a quiet residential part of central Luton and housed in a large 1930s two-storied property with a playground at the rear. It is situated very close to a public park. The school community comprises pupils from various backgrounds, including those of Pakistani and Bengali heritage. Staff and pupils are mostly Muslims and most speak English as an additional language. There are currently 141 pupils on roll of whom 60 are in the Early Years Foundation Stage. There are 14 children in the Reception and 46 in the Nursery. All the Nursery children receive state funding and attend part time. There are up to 24 children in the Nursery at any one time. There is one pupil with moderate learning difficulties and there are none with a statement of special educational needs.

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Information about the school

The school seeks to help its Muslim pupils towards achieving an understanding of their own faith and the role of Islam in their lives, and to teach all subjects of the National Curriculum, as well as Arabic, Islamic and Qur’anic studies. It aims to be an inclusive school that welcomes pupils from all backgrounds and abilities and promotes moral and academic excellence, whilst developing their spiritual needs.

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Information about the school

The school is managed by a board of trustees with three members, including the headteacher. The school was first inspected by Ofsted in 2009.

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Context of the inspection

When the school was first inspected by Ofsted in 2009 it failed to comply with a number of regulations, including some concerned with the premises. The school produced two action plans to address the required improvements and these were accepted by Ofsted. The only remaining failed regulation concerned the facility for pupils who might become ill. An interim arrangement was accepted by Ofsted and the school was requested to meet this regulation by the time of the next Ofsted inspection.

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Context of the inspection

The school then applied for a material change in May 2011 in order to increase the number of pupils on roll. The resulting inspection visit found that the school did not Independent school progress monitoring inspection report comply with a significant number of regulations. The school submitted an action plan, which was evaluated in July 2011. This was judged to be satisfactory, subject to satisfactory implementation.

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Context of the inspection

This is the report of the first progress monitoring visit undertaken in order to check the progress the school has made in implementing this latest action plan.

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action plan

The material change visit of May 2011 found that that procedures for the recruitment of staff and their suitability to work with children were not sufficiently robust because there were gaps in checks relating to staff’s identity, medical fitness, qualification where appropriate, right to work in the United Kingdom and further checks of persons who had lived outside the United Kingdom. There was no evidence to indicate that some members of staff had undergone enhanced criminal record checks. Appropriate professional references were not always taken into account before appointments were confirmed. The school did not ensure that some members of staff, including the proprietorial body, were not barred from working with children. The single centre register did not show that all the required checks were completed for all appointed staff and members of the proprietorial body. In response, the school planned to complete an audit of central record to ascertain

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action plan

missing information and make arrangements to carry out any missing checks. As a result of implementing the plan, all the required employment checks are now undertaken. The school has also recorded all of the required checks on all members of staff and the proprietorial body on the single central register of checks, including the dates on which such checks were made and the initials of the persons making such entries. There are now clear policies and procedures for the recruitment and appointment of staff and the school is aware of all the safeguarding requirements.

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action plan

The report found that although there was a suitable policy for health and safety, in practice risk assessments had not been regularly updated or completed for all parts of the premises. There were not enough toilets for the number of pupils who were currently on roll. The school had a designated area for pupils to go to when they were unwell, but the room did not have a washbasin and was not located reasonably near a toilet, as is required. Some of the carpets around the school, particularly on the stairs, were in need of replacement.

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action plan

The school planned to take appropriate steps to improve its health and safety policy and practices in school, to provide additional toilets, to improve the medical room and to replace worn flooring. As a result of implementing the plan, the school has improved its health and safety policy and procedures and carries out daily checks on the building. Risk assessments are all up-to-date. The current provision of toilets and washbasins is now adequate for staff and pupils, including those in the Early Years Foundation Stage. The school now provides a suitable designated area for pupils who Independent school progress monitoring inspection report might become unwell. This has a washbasin and is located reasonably near a toilet. The school has replaced worn flooring and this is now in good condition.

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Compliance with regulatory requirements

The school has made good progress and now meets all regulatory requirements. Independent school progress monitoring inspection report

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School details

Number on roll (full-time pupils) Boys: 42 Girls: 53 Total: 95

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School details

Number on roll (part-time pupils) Boys: 18 Girls: 28 Total: 46

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School details

Number of pupils with a statement of special educational needs Boys: 0 Girls: 0 Total: 0

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School details

Address of school 117 Tennyson Road Luton LU1 3RR

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