Al-Noor Primary School

Emergency inspection school report Al-Noor Primary School 619–625 Green Lane, Ilford IG3 9RP

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Reason for the inspection

 The inspection was commissioned by the Department for Education. Inspectors were asked to report on the school’s compliance with the standards for independent schools referenced in: Part 1, Quality of education provided; Part 2, Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils; Part 3, Welfare, health and safety of pupils; and Part 8, Quality of leadership and management.  The inspection was conducted without notice.

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Main findings

 The school has a written policy on the curriculum which sets out the subjects to be taught. Pupils study English, mathematics, science, geography, history, art and design, physical education, computing and religious education. Pupils also follow a personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) programme. The school also teaches Arabic, Qur’an and Islamic studies.  Although there is some teaching of aesthetic and creative education, the range of learning opportunities available is narrow.  Displays around the building show the curriculum helps pupils to consider life in modern Britain. Last year, a whole-school project explored British cultural heritage supported by a variety of outings and visits to London landmarks. Pupils in Year 6 studied the history of the English language from pre-English to modern English and visited the Houses of Parliament.  Through the personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) programme pupils explore

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Main findings

fundamental British values. Charity fundraising, opportunities to take on responsibilities as peer mediators, and helping to keep the local area free from litter are examples of the way the pupils work positively to support others.  However, there are shortcomings in aspects of pupils’ PSHE development. Pupils are encouraged to show respect for other people but this does not include the full range of those who have protected characteristics in line with the Equality Act 2010.  In discussions with inspectors, the oldest pupils could give some examples of faiths and cultures other than their own. They were able to discuss their understanding of differences, including skin colour, disability and religion, but were unable to suggest any other examples of difference or show awareness of other protected characteristics. Younger pupils’ awareness of other faiths and beliefs was limited. Leaders have not fulfilled the requirements of the independent school

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Main findings

standards in this respect.  Leaders and members of the Al-Noor Foundation have consulted parents this year with a view to developing this aspect of the curriculum, for example to include homophobic bullying. However, this is still at the planning stage and as things stand, the relevant independent school standards are not met.  The school’s admission register of pupils does not meet requirements. Records are not maintained according to current regulations. Information about pupils leaving the school part way through their primary education is not always passed on to the local authority on time. Emergency inspection: Al-Noor Primary School, 10 September 2015 2 of 5

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Main findings

 The school’s safeguarding policy is a clear, detailed and helpful tool for the staff, including the vetting of invited visitors to the school. Training for staff and workshops have helped make sure staff are aware of safeguarding issues such as radicalisation, preventing pupils from being drawn into terrorism, and female genital mutilation. However when appointing staff, leaders do not make sure that the most up-to-date guidance is followed in terms of checks on employment history and references.  Leaders, including the proprietor, have not ensured that all the independent school standards are met. They do not actively promote the well-being of pupils.

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The school must take action to meet The Education (Independent School Standards)

Regulations 2014 and associated requirements.

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The school must take action to meet The Education (Independent School Standards)

 The proprietor must ensure that curriculum documentation, planning and implementation provide specifically for aesthetic and creative education (paragraph 2(2)(a)).  The proprietor must ensure that written policy, plans and schemes of work do not undermine individual liberty or mutual respect and tolerance towards those with different faiths and beliefs (paragraph 2(1)(b)(ii)).  The proprietor must ensure that the curriculum gives pupils experience in aesthetic and creative education (paragraph 2(2)(a)).  The proprietor must ensure that leaders pay particular regard to all of the protected characteristics set out in Chapter 1 of Part 2 of the Equality Act 2010 in the planning and delivery of the school’s PSHE curriculum (paragraphs 2(2)(d) and 2(2)(d)(ii)).  The proprietor must ensure that teaching at the school does not undermine individual liberty or mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs (paragraph 3(i)).

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The school must take action to meet The Education (Independent School Standards)

 The proprietor must ensure that the spiritual, moral, social and cultural curriculum actively promotes the fundamental British values of individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs (paragraph 5(a)).  The proprietor must ensure that leaders pay particular regard to all of the protected characteristics set out in Chapter 1 of Part 2 of the Equality Act 2010 (paragraph 5(b)(vi)).  The proprietor must ensure that arrangements made to safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils at the school pay full regard to all current guidance, particularly concerning employment history and references (paragraph 7, 7(a)).  The proprietor must ensure that such arrangements have regard to any guidance issued by the Secretary of State (paragraph 7(b)).  The proprietor must ensure that the admission register is maintained in accordance with the Education (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2006 by informing the local authority of all

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The school must take action to meet The Education (Independent School Standards)

pupils leaving the school within the prescribed timescales and accurately recording the destinations of leavers (paragraph 15).  The proprietor must ensure that persons with leadership and management responsibilities at the school demonstrate good skills and knowledge appropriate to their role so that the independent school standards are met consistently (paragraph 34(1), 34(1)(a)).  The proprietor must ensure that persons with leadership and management responsibilities at the school fulfil their responsibilities effectively so that the independent school standards are met consistently (paragraph 34(1)(b)).  The proprietor must actively promote the well-being of pupils (paragraph 34(1)(c)). Emergency inspection: Al-Noor Primary School, 10 September 2015 3 of 5

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Inspection team

Madeleine Gerard, lead inspector Her Majesty’s Inspector Vanessa Ward Her Majesty’s Inspector

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Information about this school

 Al-Noor is located in Ilford, Essex. The school premises are located in a former factory in a residential area. The school was established in 2002 and it is owned by the Al-Noor Foundation.  Al-Noor is an independent Islamic primary school providing full-time education for both boys and girls aged between four to 11 years of age. There are currently 181 pupils on roll.  The proportion of disabled pupils and those with special educational needs is low. There are currently two pupils who have a statement of special educational needs.  The majority of pupils speak English as an additional language. Most are fluent in understanding and speaking English.  The school’s aims are ‘to promote moral and academic excellence, in a caring and secure Islamic environment, providing opportunities for the realisation of our children’s fullest potential’. The school delivers a curriculum based on the National Curriculum, informed and

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Information about this school

supplemented by Qur’anic, Islamic and Arabic Studies.  The school’s last full inspection undertaken by Ofsted was in July 2007 when the school was judged to provide a good quality of education. Almost all of the independent school standards were met. The school was inspected in July 2010 by the Bridge Schools Inspectorate at the request of the Department for Education to check whether the school met the requirements for registration, and to determine whether the school’s religious ethos continues to meet the expectations of its association. The school received a further monitoring visit in July 2013 when it was judged as maintaining all the strengths identified at the time of the previous inspections. Emergency inspection: Al-Noor Primary School, 10 September 2015 4 of 5

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School details

Unique reference number 134244 Inspection number 10007381 DfE registration number 1132799

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School details

This inspection was conducted at the request of the registration authority for independent schools. It was carried out under section 109(1) and (2) of the Education and Skills Act 2008.

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School details

Type of school Primary school School status Independent school Age range of pupils 4–11 Gender of pupils Mixed Number of pupils on the school roll 181 Number of part time pupils 0 Proprietor Daud Juneja Chair Akhter Raouf Headteacher Someera Butt Date of previous school inspection 12–15 July 2010 Annual fees (day pupils) £3,100 Telephone number 020 8597 7576 Fax number 020 8597 9511 Email address enquiries@al-noorprimary.co.uk Emergency inspection: Al-Noor Primary School, 10 September 2015 5 of 5

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School details

guidance ‘Raising concerns and making a complaint about Ofsted’, which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.gov.uk/government/publications/complaints-about-ofsted . If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234 , or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

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School details

You can use Parent View to give Ofsted your opinion on your child’s school. Ofsted will use the information parents and carers provide when deciding which schools to inspect and when and as part of the inspection.

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School details

You can also use Parent View to find out what other parents and carers think about schools in England. You can visit www.parentview.ofsted.gov.uk , or look for the link on the main Ofsted website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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School details

inspects to 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 and 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 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit

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School details

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School details

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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