The Deenway Montessori School

Progress monitoring school report The Deenway Montessori School 3  5 Sidmouth Street, Reading, Berkshre RG1 4QX

p.1

Context of the inspection

 This inspection was undertaken 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.  This was the first monitoring visit since the school was inspected in September 2015. The inspection was unannounced.  The school submitted an action plan to the DfE and this was judged to require improvement.  The purpose of this inspection was to check if the independent school regulations have been met in the following areas: the quality of education (part 1 and part 2); welfare, health and safety of pupils (part 3); provision of information (part 6); and the quality of leadership and management (part 8).  Inspectors met with the headteacher and deputy headteacher to discuss the progress made since the previous inspection. They also met with two of the school’s designated leads for safeguarding and a group of pupils aged between 12 and 15 years. Inspectors, with the

p.1

Context of the inspection

headteacher, completed short visits to classrooms to see pupils learning.  Inspectors scrutinised a range of documentation, including the school’s single central record of checks on staff and training records related to keeping pupils safe, the school’s safeguarding policy and curriculum plans and policies. A scrutiny of pupils’ work was undertaken.

p.1

Part 1 – Quality of Education Provided

 At the time of the last inspection, the curriculum did not provide opportunities for pupils to understand about people with different, personal protected characteristics. Leaders are checking, through weekly discussions with staff, that equalities issues are covered in full. For example, children in Nursery consider issues such as diversity through talking about ‘What makes a good community?’  Inspectors found that pupils have an excellent knowledge of equality and the importance of developing social responsibility. Pupils demonstrate high levels of respect and tolerance towards others. They understand and value diversity in society, saying ‘We respect each other’s choices.’ Pupils are well prepared for life in modern Britain.  Leaders have ensured that pupils receive useful careers guidance within the school’s ‘life mastery curriculum’. Pupils who spoke to inspectors demonstrated ambition, giving careful

p.1

Part 1 – Quality of Education Provided

thought to a range of careers including the possibilities of becoming lawyers, accountants, solicitors or business people. Pupils are planning clear pathways to realise their ambitions, including considering the qualifications they need and the possibility of going on to university.  Led by careers specialists from the Inspiring Futures Foundation, pupils participate in a week of focused activities. Pupils complete self-assessment tasks to develop their awareness of a range of workplace skills and attributes. Teamwork exercises, such as building a structure from art straws to support the weight of a book, encourage pupils to collaborate and develop leadership skills. Pupils enjoy these opportunities and talk in depth about the skills they are developing and Monitoring report: The Deenway Montessori School, 19 May 2016 2 of 6

p.1

Part 1 – Quality of Education Provided

how these link to their chosen career paths. Pupils are confident they can contact careers advisors if they need to seek additional advice in the future.

p.2

Part 2 – Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils

 Inspectors found that pupils study an appropriate range of world religions and beliefs. They have a good understanding of other faiths.  The headteacher has met with two local Church of England school leaders and other representatives from different faith groups. Work has begun to develop interfaith teaching resources across this newly forged partnership. Plans to host an interfaith dinner for pupils are well underway.  Older pupils keep up to date with current affairs and politics. They confidently talked to inspectors about the European Union referendum and the recent election for a new Mayor of London. They told inspectors how important it is to consider views from several sources so that they retain a balanced, unbiased view of current affairs.  Pupils enjoy opportunities to mix with other young people beyond the school gates. Recent happenings like the school’s participation in a ‘Debate like a World Champion’ competition and a

p.2

Part 2 – Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils

climbing event at the Reading Climbing Centre contribute well to encouraging pupils to mix socially with young people from other backgrounds. Pupils rightly feel these opportunities broaden their horizons.

p.2

Part 3 – Welfare, health and safety of pupils

 The school’s safeguarding policy was out of date at the previous inspection and not published on the school’s website. Staff reviewed the school’s policy in April 2016 and it now follows the most up-to-date guidance. It covers all aspects of ‘Keeping children safe in education’, 2015. The policy provides clear guidance for staff to follow if they have a concern about a pupil.  All staff have attended training in child protection and have received a copy of the government’s latest guidance. Three members of staff have completed the designated safeguarding lead training. Two members of staff act as the school’s joint designated leads. When they spoke to inspectors, they demonstrated a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities.  Leaders have ensured that other staff have completed a range of safeguarding and child protection training, including training on the government’s ‘Prevent’ duty. The headteacher and

p.2

Part 3 – Welfare, health and safety of pupils

deputy headteacher have completed safer recruitment training. All staff training records were checked during the inspection and found to be up to date. Leaders have prioritised staff training and ensure there is a suitable breadth and depth to training opportunities available to staff.  The school’s single central record meets requirements. Leaders have ensured that the relevant employment checks are carried out, including disqualification by association checks and prohibition checks.

p.2

Part 6 – Provision of information

 Since the previous inspection the headteacher has updated the school’s website ensuring it now meets requirements. The recently revised safeguarding policy and the latest Ofsted report are published on the school’s website.

p.2

Part 8 – Quality of leadership and management of schools

 The proprietor has ensured that The Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014 are met.  The headteacher has ensured that previous shortcomings have been addressed fully. Policies and procedures relating to keeping pupils safe follow current guidance. Staff have all received appropriate training and procedures are kept under regular review.  A broad and balanced curriculum enables pupils to be well informed about a range of topics including equalities issues. They are well prepared for life in modern Britain and are developing a sound sense of citizenship. They have a secure understanding of other faiths. Monitoring report: The Deenway Montessori School, 19 May 2016 3 of 6

p.2

and associated requirements

Monitoring report: The Deenway Montessori School, 19 May 2016 4 of 6

p.4

Inspection team

Elizabeth Farr, lead inspector Her Majesty’s Inspector Geraint Evans Her Majesty’s Inspector

p.4

Information about this school

 The Deenway Montessori is an independent day school for boys and girls aged from three to 16 years with an Islamic ethos. The school opened in 2009 and is registered for up to 110 pupils. It is situated in a Grade II listed building in the centre of Reading, Berkshire. The school is owned by Deenway Company Limited, a not-for-profit social enterprise.  The school was last inspected in September 2015.  Pupils are taught in small mixed-aged classes. There are currently 89 pupils on roll.  The school has a Nursery and children attend on a part-time basis, in either the morning or afternoon.  Pupils have diverse heritages. Some pupils speak English as an additional language. Not all pupils are Muslim.  The school teaches the Montessori curriculum to children up to the age of 11. Pupils aged 11 to 16 are taught the liberal arts curriculum. Pupils are taught in eight classes: the Nursery (three- to four-year-olds); the Children’s House (five- to six-year-olds); Lower Elementary class (six- to

p.4

Information about this school

nine-year-olds); and the Upper Elementary class (nine- to 11-year-olds). Pupils aged 11 to 16 are taught in the Unicity College in four classes. There are no pupils in Year 11.  The school aims to ‘nurture the mind, body and spirit of each child’ and to prepare them to be able to direct their own learning and development throughout their lives. Monitoring report: The Deenway Montessori School, 19 May 2016 5 of 6

p.4

School details

Unique reference number 135995 Inspection number 10017765 DfE registration number 870/6016 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.

p.5

School details

Type of school Montessori day school School status Independent school Age range of pupils 2  16 Gender of pupils Mixed Number of pupils on the school roll 89 Number of part time pupils 27 Proprietor The Deenway Company Ltd Chair Mr Munawar Karim Headteacher Mr Munawar Karim Date of previous school inspection 22 September 2015 Annual fees (day pupils) £3,600 Telephone number 0118 957 4737 Email address connect@deenway.org Monitoring report: The Deenway Montessori School, 19 May 2016 6 of 6

p.5

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 .

p.6

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.

p.6

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

p.6

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

p.6

School details

www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our website for news, information and updates at https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/user .

p.6

School details

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

p.6