Blackstone Secondary School

School material change inspection report Blackstone Secondary School 28 September 2016 Middleton Road, Oldham, Lancashire OL9 6JN

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraph 2 (1), 2(1)(a), 2(1)(b), 2(1)(b)(i), 2(1)(b)(ii), 2(2), 2(2)(a), 2(2)(b), 2(2)(c) 2(2)(d), 2(2)(d)(i), 2(2)(d)(ii), 2(2)(e), 2(2)(e)(i), 2(2)(e)(ii), 2(2)(e)(iii), 2(2)(f), 2(2)(g), 2(2)(h), 2(2)(i)  The proprietor, who is also the headteacher, has written a curriculum policy that fulfils the requirement for full-time education. However, this does not provide sufficient information regarding the curriculum that is to be implemented at key stage 4.  The proprietor made available schemes of work for key stage 4. These are mainly made up of commercial schemes. Teachers have not interpreted or adapted these to ensure that they are appropriate to the school’s potential key stage 4 pupils. There are no indications as to how the schemes would be delivered. Teaching staff are unfamiliar with the materials and, therefore, have no ownership of them. Teachers also confirm that they have not had training in order to deliver the schemes

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Main inspection findings

effectively.  The proprietor confirmed that he had not considered how he would deliver the aesthetic and creative curriculum within key stage 4. Furthermore, he was not aware that he was required to do so. It is also unclear how the curriculum would support potential pupils in developing an understanding of fundamental British values.  The proprietor has not given sufficient attention to explaining how areas of the curriculum such as careers guidance will be delivered. Nor does curriculum planning take account of the potentially different aptitudes and needs of pupils.  The aims and the ethos of the school are clear and are contained within policies and on the school’s website. However, policies make no reference to the protected characteristics. Similarly, there are no planned opportunities in place for covering these in the curriculum. When asked, the proprietor was not familiar with protected characteristics.

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Main inspection findings

Paragraph 3, 3(a), 3(b), 3(c), 3(d), 3(e), 3(f), 3(g), 3(h), 3(i), 3(j)  Some sample commercial lesson-planning books for key stage 4 were available at the time of the inspection. However, there were no resources. To establish a sense of what these pupils would expect, the lead inspector checked what lesson plans and resources were available for those already on roll in the school. There were no lesson plans and pupils were not taught according to the scheme of work outlined for key stage 3. Staff have focused predominantly on Islamic studies. Pupils have had no mathematics lessons for the three weeks that the school has been open. Resources for the vast majority of the key stage 3 curriculum have not yet been purchased.  The proprietor was unable to provide sufficient information to demonstrate that the standards relating to the quality and impact of teaching were likely to be met if the school admits key stage 4 pupils.

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Main inspection findings

Paragraph 4  There is an assessment policy. It references the school’s aims, and outlines how it will provide information to parents. The proprietor said that key stage 3 pupils were to be assessed in the next few weeks. However, there was insufficient documentation provided to the inspection team to demonstrate how this would be done. Available prior attainment information had not been looked at by teachers to give them an indication of their year 7 pupils’ present abilities, aptitudes and skills.  The standards in this part are not met by the school and consequently are unlikely to be met if the Department for Education (DfE) decides to approve implementation of the material change.

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Main inspection findings

Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils Paragraph 5, 5(a), 5(b), 5(b)(i), 5(b)(ii), 5(b)(iii), 5(b)(iv), 5(b)(v), 5(b)(vi), 5(b)(vii), 5(c), 5(d), 5(d)(i), 5(d)(ii), 5(d)(iii)  There is a spiritual, moral, social and cultural policy and a personal, social and health education curriculum in place for key stage 3 pupils. However, the school does not intend to teach these sessions at key stage 4.  While the curriculum policy references British values, there is no detail in the schemes of work as to how these will be actively promoted or how tolerance between different cultures will be taught.  There are proposed schemes of work for religious education but no resources have been purchased for either key stage 3 or key stage 4. Teachers were unable to give details as to the major world religions that they were to highlight.  The documentation offered at the time of the inspection did not outline how political

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Main inspection findings

issues would be brought to the attention of pupils or how they would be offered a balanced presentation of opposing views. Schemes of work did refer to the rule of law but this was predominantly connected to the Islamic faith.  The proprietor commented that he was keen to promote equality of opportunity for girls within school.  The standards in this part are not met by the school and consequently are unlikely to be met if the DfE decides to approve implementation of the material change.

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7, 7(a), 7(b)  The proprietor has written a child protection policy, which is published on the school’s website. There is also an associated ‘allegations against staff policy’. However, neither policy reflects the guidance issued by the Secretary of State and, in practice, the safeguarding of pupils is not effective.  The proprietor has not undertaken basic pre-employment checks on any member of staff to verify that they are suitable for working with children. Staff have unsupervised access to pupils.  The proprietor has outlined the measures he should take for checking on the suitability of staff before he employs them. This includes taking up references and interviewing staff. However, he has not followed this policy in appointing existing members of staff.  Staff are aware of the child protection policy and know that if they have any concerns about a pupil they should refer these concerns to the proprietor. However,

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Main inspection findings

there are no procedures in place for what they should do if they have concerns about the proprietor’s conduct with pupils.  The proprietor has failed to put in place a policy that meets the requirements of the ‘Prevent’ duty for schools that came into place in 2015. This is the duty that all schools have to consider how they can best protect children from the dangers of radicalisation.  Staff have received insufficient safeguarding training. Those who spoke to inspectors had a very basic awareness of the signs of abuse. However, they did not know how to identify if a pupil was at risk of, for example, child sexual exploitation.  The standards in this part are not met by the school and consequently are unlikely to be met if the Department for Education decides to approve implementation of the material change.

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Main inspection findings

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraph 18 (1), 18 (2), 18(2)(a), 18(2)(b), 18(2)(c), 18(2)(c)(i), 18(2)(c)(iv), 18(2)(d), 18(3)  Reporting under this Part was beyond the specific scope of this inspection. However, in order to check on the effectiveness of the implementation of the school’s safeguarding policies, an evaluation of the proprietor’s pre-employment checks, and the recording of these, was undertaken. Serious concerns were identified and are recorded below.  The proprietor has not conducted some of the basic pre-employment checks on all members of staff who have regular, unsupervised access to pupils. He has not checked if they are barred from working with children, nor if those in teaching positions are prohibited from teaching. Some checks, such as those to confirm a person’s identity, use documentation that falls well outside the three months guidance published by the Department for Education.

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Main inspection findings

 Each member of staff has supplied the proprietor with a curriculum vitae that includes their qualifications. However, there is no evidence in their files to show that the proprietor has confirmed these qualifications.  Each member of staff is required to declare their medical fitness for working with children. This is sufficient to meet standard 18(2)(c)(ii).

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Main inspection findings

Paragraph 21(1), 21(3), 21(3)(a), 21(3)(a)(ii), 21(3)(a)(iv), 21(3)(a)(v), 21(3)(a)(vi), 21(3)(b)  The proprietor has set up a single central record (SCR) to contain the necessary information on pre-employment checks. However, given that these checks have not been undertaken, the SCR is incomplete.  The standards in this part are not met by the school and consequently are unlikely to be met if the Department for Education decides to approve implementation of the material change. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b), 34(1)(c)  The proprietor does not have the knowledge required to fulfil his statutory responsibilities to safeguard children. This is despite undertaking safeguarding training. He is not familiar with the requirements issued by the Secretary of State. Consequently, basic pre-employment checks have not been undertaken to ensure that those adults currently working with pupils are safe to do so. He has also failed

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Main inspection findings

to ensure that staff are sufficiently trained in order to fulfil their duties outlined in the same statutory requirements.  The proprietor has an incomplete knowledge of what is needed to provide an appropriate quality of education for key stage 4 pupils. The preparation for receiving the anticipated key stage 4 pupils lacks assurance and in some instances is cursory, or lacking.  The proprietor demonstrates a lack of urgency toward having educational provision in place for pupils. For example, the 14 pupils in key stage 3, presently on roll, are subject to an extremely limited curriculum due to resources not yet being purchased. As a result, the proprietor is not providing an education in accordance with the independent school standards.  The standards in this part are not met by the school and consequently are unlikely to be met if the Department for Education decides to approve implementation of the

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Main inspection findings

Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  The proprietor has ensured that the premises meet these requirements. However, the curriculum policy and schemes of work do not reflect how the needs of pupils who have special educational needs and/or disabilities will be met.

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Compliance with regulatory requirements

The school is not likely to meet 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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The school is unlikely to meet the following independent school standards

 The proprietor must ensure that the independent inspection standards are met with regard to the quality of education (2 (1), 2(1)(a), 2(1)(b), 2(1)(b)(i), 2(1)(b)(ii), 2(2), 2(2)(a), 2(2)(c) 2(2)(d), 2(2)(d)(ii), 2(2)(e), 2(2)(e)(i), 2(2)(e)(ii), 2(2)(e)(iii), 2(2)(f), 2(2)(g), 2(2)(h), 2(2)(i), 3, 3(a), 3(b), 3(c), 3(d), 3(e), 3(f), 3(g), 3(h), 3(i), 3(j), 4).  The proprietor must ensure that the independent inspection standards are met with regard to the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils (5, 5(a), 5(b), 5(b)(i), 5(b)(ii), 5(b)(iii), 5(b)(iv), 5(b)(v), 5(b)(vi), 5(b)(vii), 5(c), 5(d), 5(d)(i), 5(d)(ii), 5(d)(iii)).  The proprietor must ensure that arrangements are made to safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils at the school; and such arrangements have regard to any guidance issued by the Secretary of State (7, 7(a), 7(b)).  The proprietor must ensure that all the pre-employment checks required to ensure

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The school is unlikely to meet the following independent school standards

the suitability of persons appointed as members of staff are completed before a person’s appointment. These include an enhanced criminal record check, a prohibition from teaching check and confirmation of a person’s qualifications (18 (1), 18 (2), 18(2)(a), 18(2)(b), 18(2)(c), 18(2)(c)(i), 18(2)(c)(iv), 18(2)(d), 18(3)).  The proprietor must ensure that the register which shows the checks made prior to a person’s appointment as a member of staff accurately records each of these (21(1), 21(3), 21(3)(a), 21(3)(a)(ii), 21(3)(a)(iv), 21(3)(a)(v), 21(3)(a)(vi), 21(3)(b)).  The proprietor must ensure that he demonstrates good skills and knowledge appropriate to his role, and that he fulfils his responsibilities effectively so that the independent school standards are met consistently, and the welfare of pupils is actively promoted (34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b), 34(1)(c)).

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School details

Unique reference number 142773 DfE registration number 353/6003 Inspection number 10022838 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 likely compliance with the independent school standards relevant to the material change that the school has applied to make. Type of school Secondary Islamic day school School status Independent school Proprietor Mr Siddiqur Rahman Chair Not applicable Headteacher Mr Siddiqur Rahman Annual fees (day pupils) £2,200 Telephone number 0161 637 3657 Website www.blackstonesecondary.co.uk Email address sidq@hotmail.co.uk Date of previous standard inspection Not previously inspected

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 11–14 11–16 11–14 Number of pupils on the school roll 120 120 Not applicable

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recommendation

Reason for inspector’s recommendations The proprietor is currently failing to meet many of the independent school standards relating to the quality of the curriculum and safeguarding. Insufficient plans, resources and teacher training are in place to meet the needs of the pupils already in the school. It is not in a position to accept older pupils at this stage.

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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 14 Not applicable

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time pupils Not applicable Not applicable Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities None Not applicable

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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 None Not applicable

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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 None Not applicable

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 2 6

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time teaching staff 4 Not applicable

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision Not applicable Not applicable

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Information about this school

 Blackstone secondary is an independent Muslim day school for boys and girls aged from eleven to fourteen years.  Pupils come from different Asian heritages, all of whom have an Islamic background.  The school has been open since September 2016, and was registered by the DfE for up to 120 pupils. It presently has 14 pupils on roll.  The school’s aim is to educate and prepare pupils to become independent thinkers, intellectual scholars, and spiritual leaders who are deeply rooted in tradition yet wholly conversant with the modern world.  There are currently no pupils on roll who have special educational needs and/or disabilities.  The school employs six members of staff, including the headteacher, who is also the proprietor.

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Information about this inspection

 The school is currently registered for 11- to 14-year-old pupils and has applied for a material change to be registered for 11- to 16-year-old pupils.  The inspectors held meetings with the headteacher, who is also the proprietor, and two members of the teaching staff.  School policies and other documents were examined to check compliance with the independent school standards, and to provide evidence in support of the material change request. Information was also scrutinised related to safeguarding.

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Inspection team

Sue Eastwood, lead inspector Her Majesty’s Inspector Philippa Darley Her Majesty’s Inspector 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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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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