Bury Park Educational Institute (Al - Hikmah Secondary School)

School progress monitoring inspection report

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Bury Park Educational Institute (Al- Hikmah Secondary School) 10 November 2016

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82  86 Dunstable Road, Luton, Bedfordshire LU1 1EH

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraph 2(1), 2(1)(a), 2(2)(a)  At the first progress monitoring inspection, as at the previous standard inspection, pupils did not experience sufficient aesthetic and creative education. Whereas the curriculum had been suitably enhanced for pupils in key stage 3, pupils in key stage 4 were not yet taught the required aesthetic and creative aspect of the curriculum.  In the action plan, the proprietor undertook to introduce art and design, and music for all pupils in key stages 3 and 4 from September 2016.  Since September 2016, all pupils in key stages 3 and 4 have been taught art and design. The music curriculum for pupils in key stage 4 has not been taught yet because pupils are timetabled for either music or art and design, alternately, each half term.  A commercial company will deliver the art and design curriculum for key stage 4 pupils, and pupils will have the opportunity to gain a GCSE in photography. The company will

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Main inspection findings

start to deliver the course in two weeks’ time, and suitable plans and schemes of work are in place to quality assure the teaching of the course and pupils’ achievements.  While waiting to start the photography course, all pupils in key stage 4 are taught art and design through topic work. This work is extending pupils’ artistic appreciation and technical skills appropriately. In addition, the boys have just started a basic introduction to the photography course.  A music course, leading to accreditation equivalent to GCSE, is in place for key stage 4 pupils. A suitable programme and scheme of work are ready for implementation to follow the current six-week programme for art and design.  It is too soon to judge the quality of pupils’ aesthetic and creative achievements in key stage 4, but the curriculum is suitably planned and implemented at this stage in the development of the art and design, and music curriculum.

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Main inspection findings

 The curriculum for art and music for pupils in key stage 3 remains suitable, as at the first progress monitoring inspection. 10 November 2016  The school now meets the standard for the curriculum. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b)  At the first progress monitoring inspection, as at the previous standard inspection, leaders and managers had not made sure that all of the independent school standards were met regarding the curriculum.  In the action plan, the proprietor undertook to build upon the improvements seen at the first progress monitoring inspection, particularly regarding the quality of teaching and the curriculum, the development of middle leadership and monitoring by governors.  Middle leaders have had additional training to support their roles and now take on greater responsibility for school improvement.  The staff continue to be outward looking regarding school improvement. Training for

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Main inspection findings

staff includes opportunities to learn and reflect alongside teachers in mainstream schools. An external consultant continues to work with leaders to improve the quality of assessment. Although currently at the planning stage, future plans include collaboration with local mainstream schools for curriculum design and delivery.  The safeguarding policy was suitably amended in August 2016 to reflect changes to the government’s current guidance. Staff training took place at the start of the autumn term 2016 to keep staff up to date with their roles and responsibilities to protect children.  The safeguarding policy is available on the school’s website.  Appropriate to the use of a second premises, additional staff are nominated on each site as designated staff for leading safeguarding.  There is still more work to do to make sure that the new aesthetic and creative curriculum is securely embedded, but pupils now have their entitlement to an

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Main inspection findings

appropriately balanced curriculum. The school’s commitment to developing the curriculum through courses that lead to nationally accredited qualifications, particularly GCSEs, is clear and is relevant to the abilities and aspirations of the pupils.  The school now meets the standard for the leadership in and management of schools. 10 November 2016

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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 were checked during this inspection. This included the standards and requirements that the school was judged to not comply with at the previous inspection. Not all of the standards and associated requirements were checked during this inspection.

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The school now meets the following independent school standards

 The proprietor must ensure that a written policy on the curriculum, supported by appropriate plans and schemes of work, is drawn up and implemented effectively, and that full-time supervised education for pupils of compulsory school age (construed in accordance with section 8 of the Education Act 1996) gives pupils experience in linguistic, mathematical, scientific, technological, human and social, physical, and aesthetic and creative education (paragraph 2(1), 2(1)(a), 2(2)(a)).  The proprietor must ensure that the 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; and fulfil their responsibilities effectively so that the independent school standards are met consistently (paragraph 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b)). 10 November 2016

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School details

This inspection was carried out under section 109(1) and (2) of the Education and Skills Act 2008, the purpose of which is to advise the Secretary of State for Education about the school’s suitability for continued registration as an independent school.

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School details

Type of school Independent school with a religious character School status Independent school

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School details

Gender of pupils in the sixth form Mixed

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School details

Of which, number on roll in sixth form None

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School details

Email address arahman@alhikmahschool.com

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 29 September–1 October 2015

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Information about this school

 Bury Park Educational Institute, also known as Al-Hikmah Secondary School, is registered with the Department for Education (DfE) as a day school with an Islamic ethos. 10 November 2016  The school is registered to admit a maximum of 210 pupils between the ages of nine and 19. For some time, the school has had pupils between the ages of 11 and 16 only. In agreement with the DfE, the school’s maximum number to admit has increased to 240 pupils. There are currently 239 pupils on roll.  Since September 2016, in agreement with the DfE, the school started using a second premises. The girls are educated at the Dunstable Road site and the boys at 145 High Street, Luton, Bedfordshire LU4 9NE. The school sites are approximately a 10-minute drive from one another. The proprietor intends to register the provision as two separate schools in the near future.  Now that the boys have moved to a separate site, the girls start the school day at almost

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Information about this school

the same time as the boys (with a slightly earlier start so that parents who need to, have time to drive their children to each site in time for a prompt start to the teaching day). Previously, boys were taught from 7.50am to 3.20pm, and the girls from 12 noon to 7.15pm.  The school teaches an Islamic curriculum and a secular curriculum.  Pupils have diverse heritages. Some pupils speak English as an additional language.  All pupils are Muslim and the school has strong links with the Bury Park Jamia Mosque.  There are no pupils with an education, health and care plan or a statement of special educational needs.  The school does not use alternative provision.  The school describes itself as a ‘non-profit, educational institute and school founded and run by people committed to reviving the Islamic way of life with a quality education that is taught in a way that is dynamic and applicable to Muslims living in Luton and the

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Information about this school

United Kingdom as a whole’.  This is the second progress monitoring inspection since the most recent standard inspection, in October 2015, when the school’s overall effectiveness was judged to require improvement. The first progress monitoring inspection took place in May 2016, when the school did not meet the standards that were unmet at the standard inspection. 10 November 2016

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was carried out at the request of the registration authority for independent schools. The purpose of the inspection was to monitor the progress the school has made in meeting the independent school standards and other requirements that it was judged to not comply with at its previous inspection.  This is the second progress monitoring inspection. The first progress monitoring inspection took place in May 2016.  Following the first progress monitoring inspection, the proprietor submitted an action plan to the DfE, on 3 October 2016. The action plan was not evaluated prior to this second progress monitoring inspection.  The inspection was conducted by one of Her Majesty’s Inspectors, at no notice.  The inspector observed an art lesson on the girls’ site and scrutinised art work on both sites. Documents for the teaching of the aesthetic and creative curriculum were scrutinised.  The inspector spoke with pupils about their work.

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Information about this inspection

 The inspector met with the headteacher about curriculum development, and the strategic leadership and management of the school. Governors were not available to speak with the inspector.

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Inspection team

Heather Yaxley, lead inspector Her Majesty’s Inspector 10 November 2016 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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Inspection team

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