Al-Mizan School

School material change inspection report

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Al-Mizan School 46 Whitechapel Road, London E1 1JX

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraph 2(1), 2(1)(a) and 2(2)(d)(ii)  The school has prepared an appropriate curriculum policy that is specifically for primary-aged pupils and takes account of the needs of both boys and girls. It has been reviewed and approved by the governors, many of whom are practising senior leaders from mainstream non-faith schools.  The schemes of work for personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education have been revised. For example, in Years 5 and 6 the materials relating to puberty have been modified so that they now apply to both girls and boys. Curriculum plans for physical education have also been revised to provide a wider range of physical activities and sports that both boys and girls would enjoy. Guided reading resources have been reviewed and additional books have been ordered to match the interests and enthusiasms of girls.  In recent times, the proprietor has sought to recruit more female members of the

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Main inspection findings

governing body, in order to reflect more accurately the diversity of modern Britain. Currently, four of the 11 governors are female.  In October 2016, the headteacher, supported by the governors, made the decision to appoint more female members of staff so that they can provide positive role models for all pupils. This step was also taken to support further the proposed application to admit girls. This new member of staff has worked effectively with a senior leader to modify the art and design and technology schemes of work so that activities would appeal to both boys and girls. In addition, two female teaching assistants have been appointed.  Recent well-considered training has included sessions for teachers on topics such as planning effective teaching methods to support the learning and assessment of both boys and girls. Further training is also planned for the summer term.  The equality plan has been revised and states that the school will ‘promote equality of

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Main inspection findings

opportunity between female and male pupils and between women and men and transgender people’. The PSHE long-term planning document includes a topic in which pupils will learn about the ‘different ways of behaving that are appropriate in different types of relationships, and how stereotyping can affect people in different ways’.  The ‘Calendar of Culture’ is used as a basis for tutorial periods and assemblies and highlights all of the protected characteristics and the major events in British society. This is designed to give pupils, both boys and girls, the opportunity to understand how people from different faiths, cultures, backgrounds and lifestyles, including those with protected characteristics, contribute to life in modern Britain. The aim is to promote equality of opportunity.  The school is likely to continue to meet the requirements relevant to the material change for this part. Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

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Main inspection findings

Paragraph 9, 9(a), 9(b) and 9(c)  The school’s behaviour policy aims to ensure that ‘all members of the school community work together to help everyone and that children know that they are responsible for their own behaviour’. It includes an appropriate range of sanctions to be adopted in case of misbehaviour.  Effective systems are in place to make both boys and girls aware of the school’s high expectations of behaviour so that they behave and achieve well. The school’s values are reflected in the policy to ensure that every pupil is given an equal opportunity to be successful, irrespective of gender or background. These values are used effectively by staff to provide regular and valuable feedback to help pupils to make appropriate choices. Visits to classrooms showed pupils to be well behaved and fully engaged with their work.  An appropriate rewards system is in place. It is based on effort, achievement and the

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Main inspection findings

school’s values and provides positive incentives such as bronze, silver and gold awards. These are designed to encourage pupils to behave appropriately.  An appropriate record is kept of sanctions that have been imposed on pupils for misbehaviour. The school’s comprehensive and effective safeguarding policy reflects the Secretary of State’s latest guidance, ‘Keeping children safe in education’ (September 2016) and ‘Working together to safeguard children’ (March 2015). The policy explains clearly the local authority’s protocols for making safeguarding referrals.  Leaders and the proprietor have created a strong safeguarding ethos in the school. They take safeguarding very seriously, which is demonstrated by the very careful attention given to all pupils and the school’s good level of engagement with parents and external agencies.  All the appropriate pre-employment checks on staff have been carried out in

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Main inspection findings

accordance with requirements and all staff have completed the required safeguarding training, including ‘Prevent’.  The school is likely to continue to meet the requirements relevant to the material change for this part. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraph 23(1), 23(1)(a), 23(1)(b) and 23(1)(c)  Suitable toilet and washing facilities are available for the sole use of pupils. There are separate facilities for boys and girls. The facilities are clearly labelled and include one for disabled users. Staff have their own separate toilets.  Separate showering and changing facilities are available for boys and girls. The two areas are located on different floors of the building.  The school is likely to continue to meet the requirements relevant to the material change for this part. Part 6. Provision of information Paragraph 32(1) and 32(1)(c)  The school’s website meets statutory requirements.

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Main inspection findings

 The requirements for this paragraph continue to be met.  The requirements for this part continue to be met. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b) and 34(1)(c)  Leaders have ensured that all the requirements for the proposed change, from a boys’ school to a co-educational one, are met. They have also ensured that schemes of work for all the required areas of learning have been adjusted to accommodate the teaching of girls and to meet their needs.  Senior staff and governors have an excellent knowledge and understanding of their roles and responsibilities. They have ensured that all the relevant independent school standards are consistently met and they are active in ensuring that the pupils’ welfare is safeguarded.  The school is likely to continue to meet the requirements relevant to the material change for this part.

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Compliance with regulatory requirements

The school is 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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School Details

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 Independent Islamic school for boys

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School Details

Date of previous standard inspection 8−10 October 2014

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 66 N/A N/A

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Gender of pupils Boys Mixed Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 66 N/A

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 0 0

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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 0 0

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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 N/A N/A

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 6 6

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 2 2

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Information about this school

 Al-Mizan School is an independent Islamic day school for boys. It is currently registered to admit up to 100 boys aged seven to 11.  The school is located within the London Muslim Centre, which also accommodates the London East Academy. Many of the pupils move on to this academy when they leave. Both schools are managed by the East London Mosque Educational Trust.  The school opened in 2002. At the time of the last standard inspection in October 2014, its overall effectiveness was judged to be inadequate.  The school then received three progress monitoring visits in March and November 2015 and in October 2016. At the inspection in October 2016, all the independent school standards were met.  Most pupils are from Bangladeshi and Somali backgrounds.  There are no boys with a statement of special educational needs or an education, health and care (EHC) plan. Very few pupils are at an early stage of learning English.

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Information about this school

 There were no responses to the Ofsted online survey (Parent View).  The school aims to provide a curriculum that encourages the integration of Islamic and British values and enables pupils to become responsible citizens.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was conducted by Ofsted 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. 1  The inspection was commissioned by the Department for Education to consider the school’s application to become co-educational by accepting girls.  The Department for Education requested that the inspector consider whether as a result of the proposed changes to admit girls the independent school standards contained within Parts 1, 3, 5 and 8 will be met.  The inspector met with the headteacher, the vice-chair of governors and a senior leader. He toured the school site, visiting all classrooms. He also reviewed key documents and policies, including those related to safeguarding, health and fire safety, and scrutinised a range of risk assessments.

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Inspection team

David Scott, lead inspector Ofsted Inspector

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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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Inspection team

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