Lantern of Knowledge Secondary School

30–36 Lindley Road, Leyton, London E10 6QT Inspection dates 15 June 2017

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraphs 2(2), 2(2)(d)(ii), 2(2)(i) and 3(i)  The school has a curriculum policy in place which is supported by commercial schemes of work. Teachers use these effectively to plan weekly lessons.  Teachers’ planning takes account of the individual needs of pupils and there are regular opportunities for teachers to assess pupils’ progress.  The curriculum policy fails to highlight the Equality Act 2010.  The school plans for a range of speakers to address pupils in school. However, pupils do not feel that they are provided with enough opportunities that help them to learn about people from other faiths and of a similar age on a regular basis. As such, they are not prepared effectively for the experiences of life in British society.  The schemes of work and teaching in the school promote the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and

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Main inspection findings

tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.  The school does not meet the following standards in this part: 2(2), 2(2)(d)(ii) and 2(2)(i). 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) and 5(d)(iii)  Opportunities for pupils to develop their self-esteem are secure. However, younger pupils were of the opinion that their views are not taken into account by the school’s leaders.  Pupils demonstrate a clear understanding of what is right and what is wrong when discussing moral issues.  Pupils understand well the ethos of the school and its academic focus. They have taken part in workshops arranged by national organisations, including the Teenage Cancer Trust.  School visits encourage a broad understanding of public services and institutions in England. For example, pupils in Year 7 visited the Houses of Parliament. The school

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Main inspection findings

has not made the most of this activity to develop pupils’ learning. In discussions with inspectors, pupils were not able demonstrate an in-depth understanding of Parliament and its work.  Discussions with inspectors show that pupils show respect in the observance of the Muslim faith, but have little understanding of other faiths. This is in spite of the fact that they wish for greater contact with young people from a range of backgrounds.  Pupils in key stage 4 are able to talk about Britain’s diversity but this is not well understood in Years 7 to 9.  The school’s policy on pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural (SMSC) development does not reference the Equality Act 2010.  The school encourages respect for democracy by means of the school council, but the council has limited impact.  Pupils in key stage 4 demonstrated a sound understanding of political issues and inspectors did not find any evidence to suggest that teaching promotes partisan

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Main inspection findings

political views.  Pupils in key stage 3 are of the opinion that there are not enough extra-curricular activities.  Examples of the opportunities offered to pupils in order to enhance the curriculum include several visits to the Victoria and Albert Museum, a Year 10 performance of ‘Macbeth’ and a Year 8 ceramic workshop.  The school does not meet the following standards in this part: 5, 5(a), 5(b), 5(b)(v) and 5(b)(vi). Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7, 7(a) and 7(b)  The school has a safeguarding policy on its website. However, the policy shown to inspectors and which was published on the school’s website did not make consistent reference to the most recent guidance issued by the Secretary of State. This was updated at the request of the inspection team during the inspection. However, implementation of the updated policy has not been in place long enough to demonstrate its effectiveness.

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Main inspection findings

 Staff received training on safeguarding in August 2016 during the week before the start of the summer term. Inspectors saw evidence that staff had signed a document to say that they had received, read and understood part 1 of the guidance ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ (September 2016). However, discussions with leaders and staff demonstrated that they do not understand the guidance. Paragraph 12  Inspectors found missing signage relating to fire evacuation. One section of the building on the upper floor had no signage whatsoever. The science laboratory did not have clear evacuation guidance signage on display. Some of the signage did not have the necessary information entered. This could compromise pupils’ safety. Paragraph 16, 16(a) and 16(b)  Risk assessments for school activities are in place and these follow the guidelines set out in the overarching risk assessment policy. However, the potential risks identified

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Main inspection findings

within school are not accurate because they do not consistently reflect the current state of the premises. For example, a ladder, which inspectors were told was usually stored on a roof, was found to be accessible to pupils should they use the recreation courtyard.  Fire risk and generic risk assessments are in place but they are not implemented on a day-to-day basis. Not all of the hazards noted by inspectors had been identified. These include the ladder in the school courtyard, the lack of fire safety signage and the placing of combustible materials in the vicinity of the fire exits. This compromises pupils’ welfare.  The school does not meet the following standards in this part: 7, 7(a), 7(b), 12, 16, 16(a) and 16(b). Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraph 25  Although inspectors were not asked specifically to consider this part during the inspection, they toured the school building to consider the quality of the

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Main inspection findings

accommodation and the extent to which the health, safety and welfare of pupils are ensured.  Inspectors identified a lack of day-to-day routine checking of the premises and identified potential risks to pupils.  As stated in Part 3, not all of the necessary signage to enable appropriate evacuation in case of fire was in place, including in the science laboratory. During the inspection, the science laboratory was found to be unlocked and unsupervised by any member of staff, while chemicals were left on the worktops.  Combustible materials, although not directly obstructing the fire exits, were close enough to present a hazard should they ignite in the event of fire.  The school does not meet the following standard in this part: 25. Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled Paragraph 33, 33(a), 33(b), 33(c), 33(d), 33(e), 33(f), 33(g), 33(h), 33(i), 33(i)(i), 33(i)(ii), 33(j), 33(j)(i), 33(j)(ii) and 33(k)

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Main inspection findings

 The school’s complaints policy is made available to parents in writing and sets out clear timescales for the management of each stage.  The policy invites parents to raise any concern on an informal basis before progressing to putting the complaint in writing. Arrangements for a formal hearing by a panel are clear and the membership of the panel allows for one person to be independent of the leadership and management of the school.

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Main inspection findings

 The recording of formal complaints takes place. Inspectors reviewed a case study of a formal complaint made against the headteacher which was investigated by the chair of the governing body. This scrutiny showed that a detailed investigation had taken place and that the complainant had been notified of the outcomes in writing.  Although not a requirement, the school does not systematically record the number of complaints which are raised at the initial informal stage.  The school meets the standard in this part. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b) and 34(1)(c)  The school’s leaders have not ensured that they know and check that they are compliant with all the independent school standards. As a result, they have not ensured that these standards are met consistently or that the well-being of pupils is actively promoted.  The school does not meet the standard in this part.

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Compliance with regulatory requirements

The school does not meet 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. Not all of the standards and associated requirements were checked during this inspection.

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The school does not meet the following independent school standards

 Ensure that the curriculum encourages respect for other people, paying particular regard to the protected characteristics set out in the 2010 Equality Act (paragraph 2(2), 2(2)(d)(ii)).  Ensure that the curriculum enables effective preparation of pupils for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of life in British society (paragraph 2(2)(i)).  Ensure that the school actively promotes the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs, and encourages further tolerance and harmony between different cultural traditions by enabling pupils to acquire an appreciation of and respect for their own and other cultures, and encourages respect for other people, paying particular regard to the protected characteristics set out in the 2010 Equality Act (paragraph 5, 5(a), 5(b), 5(b)(v), 5(b)(vi)).

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The school does not meet the following independent school standards

 Ensure that arrangements are made to safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils at the school and that these arrangements have regard to guidance issued by the Secretary of State (paragraph 7, 7(a), 7(b)).  Ensure compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (paragraph 12).  Ensure that the welfare of the pupils at the school is safeguarded and promoted by the drawing up and effective implementation of a written risk assessment policy and take appropriate action to reduce risks that are identified (paragraph 16, 16(a), 16(b)).  Ensure that the school premises and the accommodation and facilities provided therein are maintained to a standard such that, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of pupils are ensured (paragraph 25).  Ensure that those with leadership and management responsibilities demonstrate good skills and knowledge appropriate to their role so that the independent school

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The school does not meet the following independent school standards

standards are met consistently; that they fulfil their responsibilities effectively so that the independent school standards are met consistently; and that they actively promote the well-being of pupils (paragraph 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b), 34(1)(c)).

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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

Proprietor Lantern of Knowledge Educational Trust

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School details

Email address info@lanternofknowledge.org.uk

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 24–26 November 2015

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Information about this school

 Lantern of Knowledge Secondary School is located in the Leyton area of east London. It is a small independent Islamic school for boys and opened in 2006. The school caters for pupils aged 11 to 16 years.  The school is the only school in the Lantern of Knowledge Educational Trust. The trustees of this are the proprietors of the school.  The vast majority of boys are from Black African or Asian heritage. There are no pupils who have special educational needs and/or disabilities. The school receives no additional funding for disadvantaged pupils.  The last standard inspection of the school in November 2015 found the overall effectiveness of the school to be outstanding. An emergency inspection was conducted in October 2016 following a complaint about safeguarding, pupils’ behaviour and the school’s promotion of fundamental British values. This inspection found that the school was compliant with the independent school standards that were checked.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was carried out 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.  The Department for Education commissioned the inspection due to concerns about safeguarding, pupils’ welfare, health and safety, and the promotion of fundamental British values.  The inspectors were asked to report against the requirements contained within parts 1, 2, 3, 7 and 8 of the independent school standards.  The inspection was conducted without notice and was quality assured by one of Her Majesty’s Inspectors.  The inspectors toured the school site with the headteacher and visited a number of lessons. They met with the headteacher and the chair and one other member of the governing body. They also reviewed key documents and policies, including those relating to safeguarding, pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development and

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Information about this inspection

the school’s facilities.  There were no responses to the Ofsted online survey (Parent View).  At the time of the inspection, pupils in Year 11 were on study leave.

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Inspection team

John Daniell, lead inspector Her Majesty’s Inspector

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Inspection team

John Lambern 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

Parent View 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.

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Inspection team

You can also use Parent View to find out what other parents and carers think about schools in England. You can visitwww.parentview.ofsted.gov.uk, or look for the link on the main Ofsted website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted .

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Inspection team

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, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspection team

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, 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 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 .

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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

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