Al-Noor Primary School

School material change inspection report Al-Noor Primary School 29 September 2016

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Newton Industrial Estate, Eastern Avenue, Chadwell Heath, Romford RM6 5SD

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7, 7(a) and 7(b)  Leaders and trustees have created a culture of effective safeguarding and actively promote pupils’ well-being. They have revised their practice and procedures in line with the updates in the guidance ‘Keeping children safe in education’, published in September 2016. Leaders have effectively implemented the school’s policy and procedures. Trustees make regular visits to check on safeguarding systems, such as the single central record or other aspects of the school’s records. They use the information from these visits as part of their annual review of the overall effectiveness of the school’s safeguarding arrangements.  Staff have received training on the new guidance and are able to explain the key changes. They are fully aware of their duties and responsibilities to report concerns and are knowledgeable about the signs and symptoms to look out for.

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Main inspection findings

 Systems for the recruitment of staff are thorough, with each of the required pre- appointment checks undertaken and recorded in the single central record. This includes checks for all staff to ensure that none is the subject of a prohibition from teaching order. Staff files are well kept, with clear recording of the checks as they are carried out. References are diligently sought and verified.  The required checks for the eight trustees, including a check that they are not subject to any prohibition order, an interim prohibition order or any direction made under section 128 of the 2008 Act or section 142 of the 2002 Act, have been undertaken and recorded.  Pupils are taught how to stay safe, including how to stay safe online and when they are out and about. Displays around the school promote safety, respect and kindness to each other. Pupils say that staff will always help them if they have a concern.

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Main inspection findings

 All requirements of this part of the independent school standards are met. Paragraph 11  The school’s health and safety policy has been revised to account for the new, but temporary, premises. Leaders have quickly and effectively implemented systems for checking and ensuring pupils’ health and safety, such as protocols for visitors, storage of materials and site security.  The requirements for checking and ensuring pupils’ health and safety are well established. These systems have been transferred to the new premises. Where required, such as for the electrical installation, new certificates have been obtained.  Tours of the building, discussions with staff and checks of documentation indicate that leaders ensured that the building work was completed prior to admitting pupils to the new premises.  Leaders have put in place and implemented arrangements for pupils’ safe travel to and from school, in line with the requirements of the local authority travel plan.

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Main inspection findings

 All requirements of this part of the independent school standards are met. Paragraph 12  The school leaders and trustees have been diligent in ensuring that fire safety requirements are fully in place. Fire doors and fire exits have been installed. Fire signage is in place throughout the temporary premises.  New fire alarm, fire detection and emergency lighting systems have been installed and certified. The school’s firefighting equipment was checked at the old premises in July. This has been installed at the new site, together with some additional firefighting equipment. A full recheck of the previous and new equipment has taken place and a new certificate issued.  Prior to the certificate being issued, a fire safety consultant visited to assess the fire safety arrangements for the surveyor. The building work has since received its final certificate of completion, which covers fire safety.  The school’s leaders have revised their fire safety policy and undertaken a

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Main inspection findings

comprehensive fire risk assessment for the new building. New logs are in place and being used for recording the regular fire safety checks the school undertakes, such as the weekly fire alarm test.  Ahead of pupils starting to attend the new premises, staff were trained in building evacuation. A fire drill was undertaken shortly after pupils were admitted to the temporary premises, to ensure that all school members were fully aware of what to do in the case of a fire emergency. Pupils were able to explain the procedure and they knew where to line up.  All requirements of this part of the independent school standards are met. Paragraphs 16, 16(a) and 16(b)  In line with the school’s revised health and safety policy, a full and comprehensive set of risk assessments have been undertaken for the temporary premises. This includes risk assessments for the new travel arrangements, individual subjects, each

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Main inspection findings

classroom and site use. The planned actions to mitigate risk and support pupils’ and staff health and safety are followed, monitored and revised to ensure their effectiveness. Risk assessments for off-site visits are well considered and tailored to the planned activities and journey arrangements.  All requirements of this part of the independent school standards are met. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 23(1), 23(1)(a), 23(1)(b) and 23(1)(c)  Separate toilet and washing facilities have been installed for boys and girls. They are sufficient for the number of pupils and take account of the varying ages of pupils in the school.  Two self-contained toilet and washing facilities have been installed, one suitable for disabled use and the other for the sole use of staff.  All facilities are suitably and clearly labelled.  All requirements of this part of the independent school standards are met.

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Main inspection findings

Paragraphs 24(1), 24(1)(a) and 24(1)(b)  A separate area has been set aside for the care and treatment for the care of sick or injured pupils. It is equipped with a bed, bedding, a sink with running hot and cold water and a lockable medicine cabinet. The disabled toilet and washing facility is close by.  All requirements of this part of the independent school standards are met. Paragraph 25  The new premises were formerly used as temporary school buildings by another primary school and were purchased by the trustees. The temporary buildings have been moved and installed at the new site. Front and side entrances have been constructed to ensure safe entry to and exit from the premises. The stairs to the upper floor are enclosed and a second external fire escape is also installed. Windows on both the ground and first floor have window restrictors.  Each year group has a spacious classroom with display space and appropriate

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Main inspection findings

storage. In addition, there is a well-equipped computer classroom. A main hall, large enough to accommodate all pupils and staff, is used for assemblies, as well as physical education, performance and lunchtime eating. A second hall accommodates the school library and acts as a prayer room. There is ample office space for administration staff and senior leaders, as well as two staff rooms. The decor, flooring, doors, windows, stairs and outside areas are all completed to a high standard.  The school has moved all its resources from the old site and these are now all in use in classrooms. Ample storage has been provided to ensure safe and easy access.  Careful attention has been given to ensuring the safety of the school site. This includes the resurfacing of the playground areas and installation of CCTV.  All requirements of this part of the independent school standards are met. Paragraph 26  Despite the temporary nature of the buildings, the sound insulation between the

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Main inspection findings

rooms and the upper and lower floors is suitable, so pupils’ learning is not disrupted by undue noise.  All requirements of this part of the independent school standards are met. Paragraphs 27, 27(a) and 27(b)  All classrooms have windows. Appropriate lighting has been installed in classrooms, corridors and office spaces. External lighting has also been installed to aid safe entry to and exit from the premises.  All requirements of this part of the independent school standards are met. Paragraphs 28(1), 28(1)(a), 28(1)(b), 28(1)(c) and 28(1)(d)  The drinking fountains have been installed. Both are clearly labelled. In addition, drinking water is provided to pupils in classrooms and at lunchtime.  The school is ensuring the safe temperature of the hot water through regular testing.  All requirements of this part of the independent school standards are met. Paragraphs 29(1), 29(1)(a), 29(1)(b) and 29(2)

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Main inspection findings

 A large area has been set aside for pupils to play in and for physical education. To ensure pupils’ safety, breaktimes and lunchtimes are staggered.  The space is sufficient for the needs of the physical education curriculum, including ball games.  The school has yet to mark out any areas for games such as football. They plan to do this shortly. They also plan to introduce the ‘break boxes’ so that pupils have a choice of resources for play.  All requirements of this part of the independent school standards are met. Part 6. Provision of information Paragraphs 32(1) and 32(1)(c)  The school’s September 2016 safeguarding policy and procedures are published on their website.  All requirements of this part of the independent school standards are met. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34(1), 34 (1)(a), 34(1)(b) and 34(1)(c)  The headteacher, senior leaders and the trustees demonstrated a secure knowledge

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Main inspection findings

of the independent school standards relating to school premises, pupils’ health and safety and safeguarding. They have been proactive in ensuring pupils’ safety and well-being. They have made sure that the new premises are suitably sized, resourced, installed, secure and comply with the requirements of planning permission, as well as the independent school standards.  Senior leaders and trustees have ensured that all the required certificates of safety have been obtained, including for fire and electrical safety, for the new but temporary premises. Senior leaders have revised the school’s health and safety policies and procedures and undertaken comprehensive risk assessments for the new premises and travel arrangements. The implementation of these policies and procedures are being monitored by the trustees.  The school leaders have been diligent in preparing, supporting and training staff for the move, as well as informing parents and carers and the pupils about the

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Main inspection findings

temporary premises and travel arrangements. They and the trustees are reviewing the procedures and risk assessments on a daily basis to ensure the ongoing safety and well-being of pupils.  All requirements of this part of the independent school standards are met. Statutory requirements of the early years foundation stage  The requirements of the early years foundation stage for safety and suitability of premises, environment and equipment are met in the new premises.  The single Reception class has its own room. The room is of suitable size for the number of children and there is direct access to an adequately fenced and sized decking area. The room and decked area are well set up and resourced for this age group. The children also make use of the main playground for play and of larger toys and equipment such as bicycles.

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Compliance with regulatory requirements

The school meets the requirements of the schedule to the Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014 (‘the independent school standards’) and associated requirements that are relevant to the material change.

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School details

Unique reference number 134244 DfE registration number 317/6076 Inspection number 10022753 This inspection was carried out under section 162(4) of the Education Act 2002, the purpose of which is to advise the Secretary of State for Education about the school’s compliance with the independent school standards relevant to the material change that the school has applied to make.

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School details

Type of school Primary school School status Independent school Proprietor Al-Noor Foundation Limited Chair Daud Juneja Headteacher Someera Butt Annual fees (day pupils) £3,100 Telephone number 020 8597 7576 Website www.al-noor.co.uk/primaryschool/ Email address office@al-noorprimary.co.uk Date of previous standard inspection 3 July 2007 (full standard inspection) 29 April 2016 (progress monitoring inspection)

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 4–11 4–11 4–11 Number of pupils on the school roll 179 180 180

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Gender of pupils Mixed Mixed Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 179 180 Number of part-time pupils 0 0 Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 12 12

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with a statement of special educational needs or an education, health and care plan 2 2

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils paid for by a local authority with a statement of special educational needs or an education, health and care plan 0 0

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 9.1 9.1

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time teaching staff 2.4 2.4

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Information about this school

 Al-Noor is an independent Islamic primary school that is registered to provide full- time education for up to 200 boys and girls aged between four to 11 years of age. It was established in 2002 and it is owned by the Al-Noor Foundation Limited.  The school was located in Ilford, Essex but has relocated to temporary purpose-built accommodation in Romford, Essex while building work is undertaken at the previous school premises. The school opened for pupils on its new site, which is owned by the Al-Noor Foundation Limited, on 14 September 2016.  There are currently 179 pupils on roll. The proportion of pupils who have special educational needs and/or disabilities is low. There are currently two pupils who have a statement of educational needs or an education, health and care plan.  Almost all pupils speak English as an additional language. Most are fluent in understanding and speaking English.  The school’s aim is ‘to strive to nurture excellence in an Islamic environment’.

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Information about this school

 The school delivers a curriculum based on the national curriculum (2013), informed and supplemented by Qur’anic, Islamic and Arabic studies.  The school’s last inspection was undertaken in April 2016 to ascertain the progress the school had made in implementing its action plan following an emergency inspection on 10 September 2015, when inspectors reported a number of independent school standards as unmet. This most recent inspection judged that the school has now met all of the independent school standards. Prior to this, the school’s last full inspection by Ofsted was undertaken in July 2007, when the school was judged to provide a good quality of education and almost all of the independent school standards were met.  The school was also inspected in July 2010 and July 2013 by the Bridge Schools Inspectorate at the request of the Department for Education. Both inspections judged the school as providing a good quality of education.

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Information about this inspection

 The inspection was undertaken at the request of the registration authority for independent schools in order to assess the school’s request to relocate from its premises in Ilford to a location in Romford. The school has made this request because of building work being undertaken at the premises in Ilford.  The inspection was carried out with two days’ notice.  The inspector was asked to focus on the independent school standards in parts 3, 5, 6 and 8, relating to the new premises, pupils’ health and safety in the new premises, safeguarding and leadership and management.  The inspector toured the new school premises and made short visits to all classes, all jointly with the headteacher. She examined the school’s safeguarding, welfare and health and safety documentation, which included fire safety arrangements. The inspector met with the headteacher, deputy headteacher, three trustees, including the chair of the trustees, members of staff and pupils.

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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