Blackstone Secondary School

School progress monitoring inspection report

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Blackstone Secondary School Middleton Road, Oldham, Lancashire OL9 6JN

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7, 7(a), 7(b)  The previous inspection judged safeguarding arrangements to be inadequate. Aspects of online security for staff and pupils gave serious cause for concern. The single central record was missing vital information. Leaders had not undertaken all of the required suitability checks on teachers, leaders and proprietors.  In the school’s action plan, leaders said that they would put a rigorous system in place to protect all pupils and staff while using computers. Since the previous inspection, leaders have installed new equipment which enables leaders to filter and monitor access to the internet.  Leaders can now filter web content to a high level and they are able to identify if individuals have attempted to access any blocked sites. This is checked daily. Teachers closely supervise pupils when using computers. Pupils are taught how to stay safe while

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Main inspection findings

using the internet, both in school and at home. Pupils talk confidently about how to stay safe on the internet. For example, they are aware of the dangers of disclosing personal information and sending inappropriate content to others.  Since the previous inspection, leaders have overhauled the school’s approach to ensuring the suitability of staff and proprietors. All the appropriate pre-employment checks have now been carried out on staff in accordance with requirements. Leaders have sought references for all staff and have carried out prohibition checks and identity and criminal record checks on everyone involved with the school.  The headteacher/proprietor ensures that a strong safeguarding ethos runs throughout the school. Two senior staff, including the headteacher, have undertaken the training necessary for leading safeguarding. The deputy safeguarding lead is due to undertake this training shortly.

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Main inspection findings

 All staff have completed relevant and recent safeguarding training, including in the ‘Prevent’ duty. All staff are vigilant and know the school procedures to follow if they have any concerns.  Good relationships between staff and pupils contribute to pupils feeling safe in school. Pupils trust staff and are confident that there are staff in school who they could talk to if they have any worries.  The school’s safeguarding policy is up to date and reflects the Secretary of State’s latest guidance. The policy is usually published on the school’s website. At the present time, however, the website is unavailable, so copies of the required documentation are available on request.  The requirements for this paragraph are met. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraph 18, 18(2), 18(2)(b) Paragraph 20, 20(6), 20(6)(a)(ii), 20(6)(b)(i), 20(6)(b)(ii) Paragraph 21, 21(3), 21(3)(a)(iii), 21(3)(b)

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Main inspection findings

 At the previous inspection, leaders failed to carry out the necessary checks on the suitability of staff. No prohibition checks had been carried out on proprietors, teachers and leaders. In addition, checks had not been done to ascertain the suitability of leaders and proprietors to manage a school.  Leaders have successfully carried out a series of actions to address this unmet standard. Leaders now ensure that all necessary safeguarding checks are completed. The single central register is compliant with statutory requirements.  All appropriate pre-employment checks on the suitability of staff have now been carried out. The checks, including prohibition orders, are now in place. The inspector scrutinised the single central register and ensured that the personnel files accurately reflected the information held on the register.  All necessary checks on members of the proprietary body are complete. These checks

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Main inspection findings

include prohibition orders, enhanced criminal record checks, the right to work in the United Kingdom and checks to ensure their suitability to manage a school. Leaders are aware that checks need to be made on individuals prior to them starting work with children.  As leaders now ensure that they take appropriate measures to ensure the suitability of people working with pupils, the requirements for all paragraphs in this part are met. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraph 24, 24(1), 24(1)(a), 24(1)(b)  This standard was not met at the previous inspection. This was due to the unsuitability of the medical room as it was not deemed fit for purpose.  Leaders have reviewed the space available in the school and are now using an allocated room for medical use. The room has been made suitable and includes easy access to a toilet and its own washing and showering facilities. Paragraph 29, 29(1), 29(1)(b)

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Main inspection findings

 The premises have a secure outside area for pupils. There is adequate space for pupils to engage in social activities and play at breaktime. The playground is of an appropriate size and the perimeter is secure.  Leaders have ensured that the standards in this part are likely to be met. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34, 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b), 34(1)(c)  The previous inspection found that leaders did not fully implement the independent school standards. As a result, the well-being of pupils was not assured and the school’s overall effectiveness was judged inadequate.  Since this inspection, the proprietors, headteacher and leaders have successfully carried out a series of actions to address the identified weaknesses. Collectively, the headteacher and senior leaders work closely together to improve the school.  Leaders have improved vetting and checking procedures to ensure that staff or any

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Main inspection findings

person involved in the running of the school are suitable to work with children. Clear systems are in place to ensure that all required checks are undertaken before a member of staff begins work at the school. Senior leaders now show a good understanding of the processes needed to undertake safeguarding checks and ensure compliance of the single central register.  Leaders have assessed the suitability of the premises and have secured the outside grounds so that pupils have a safe area outside in which they can play and socialise. During these times, staff supervise pupils adequately and ensure their continued safety.  Leaders have furnished a new medical room for the use of pupils. This meets statutory requirements.  The headteacher and leaders have acted swiftly and effectively to address the weaknesses identified at the last inspection. Leaders have been successful in resolving the previous failings. As a result, the standards that were unmet at the last inspection

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Main inspection findings

are now met.  During this inspection, a request for a material change to the school was considered. Leaders have requested a material change to increase the age range of pupils for which the school is registered. There is capacity within the current buildings to manage the increase in numbers in classrooms, dining facilities, outdoor provision and around the school. Leaders provided detailed curriculum plans to show the continued provision of programmes of study for key stage 4 pupils as appropriate. This material change is recommended to be approved, as the school is suitable to be registered to take pupils aged from 11 to 16 years.

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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 arrangements are made to safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils at the school, and such arrangements must have regard to any guidance issued by the Secretary of State. (Paragraph 7, 7(a), 7(b))  The proprietor must ensure that no person carries out work, or intends to carry out work, at the school in contravention of a prohibition order, an interim prohibition order, or any direction made under section 128 of the 2008 Act or section 142 of the 2002 Act, or any disqualification, prohibition or restriction which takes effect as if contained in either such direction. (Paragraph 18, 18(2), 18(2)(b))  The proprietor, where the proprietor is a body of persons corporate or unincorporate, must ensure that: – an individual (‘MB’), not being the Chair of the school, who is a member of a body of persons corporate or unincorporate named as the proprietor of the school in the

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The school now meets the following independent school standards

register or in an application to enter the school in the register is not barred from regulated activity relating to children in accordance with section 3(2) of the 2006 Act where that individual is or will be engaging in activity which is regulated activity within the meaning of Part 1 of Schedule 4 of that Act. (Paragraph 20, 20(6), 20(6)(a), 20(6)(a)(i)) – an individual (‘MB’), not being the Chair of the school, who is a member of a body of persons corporate or unincorporate named as the proprietor of the school in the register or in an application to enter the school in the register does not carry out work, or intend to carry out work, at the school in contravention of a prohibition order, an interim prohibition order, or any direction made under section 128 of the 2008 Act or section 142 of the 2002 Act or any disqualification, prohibition or restriction which takes effect as if contained in either such direction. (Paragraph 20,

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The school now meets the following independent school standards

20(6), 20(6)(a)(ii)) – subject to sub-paragraphs (7) to (8), the Chair of the school makes the following checks relating to MB: where relevant to the individual, an enhanced criminal record check; and checks confirming MB’s identity and MB’s right to work in the United Kingdom. (Paragraph 20, 20(6), 20(6)(b)(i),(ii))  The proprietor must keep a register which shows: – in relation to each member of staff appointed on or after 1st May 2007, whether a check was made to establish whether such member of staff is subject to any direction made under section 128 of the 2008 Act or section 142 of the 2002 Act or any disqualification, prohibition or restriction which takes effect as if contained in such a direction. (Paragraph 21, 21(3), 21(3)(a)(iii)) – in relation to each member of staff, whether a check was made to establish whether such member of staff is subject to a prohibition order or an interim prohibition order,

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The school now meets the following independent school standards

including the date on which such check was completed. (Paragraph 21, 21(3), 21(3)(b)) – in relation to each member (‘MB’) of a body of persons named as the proprietor appointed on or after 1st May 2007, the checks referred to in paragraph 20(6)(b) were made, the date they were made and the date on which the resulting certificate was obtained. (Paragraph 21, 21(6))  The proprietor must ensure that suitable accommodation is provided in order to cater for the medical and therapy needs of pupils, including accommodation for the medical examination and treatment of pupils; and accommodation for the short-term care of sick and injured pupils, which includes a washing facility and is near to a toilet facility. (Paragraph 24, 24(1), 24(1)(a) and paragraph 24, 24(1), 24(1)(b))  The proprietor must ensure that suitable outdoor space is provided in order to enable pupils to play outside. (Paragraph 29, 29(1), 29(1)(b))

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The school now meets the following independent school standards

 The proprietor must: – ensure that 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; – fulfil their responsibilities effectively so that the independent school standards are met consistently; and – actively promote the well-being of pupils. (Paragraph 34, 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 Blackstone Academy – Mr Siddiqur Rahman

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 28–30 March 2017

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Information about this school

 Blackstone Secondary School is an independent Muslim day school for boys and girls aged from 11 to 14 years.  The school has been open since September 2016, and was registered by the Department for Education (DfE) for up to 120 pupils. It presently has six pupils on roll. No pupils currently have special educational needs and/or disabilities.  The school was previously inspected in March 2017 when, following a full standard inspection, it was judged to be inadequate.  The school does not use any alternative provision or operate on any other sites.  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.

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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.  The inspection took place over one day and was unannounced. It was the school’s first progress monitoring inspection since the school was judged inadequate in March 2017.  The school submitted an action plan to the DfE, which was evaluated as unacceptable in April 2017.  The inspector carried out a detailed tour of the site.  Meetings were held with the proprietor/headteacher, the deputy headteacher, other senior leaders and staff.  The inspector undertook learning walks and looked at pupils’ work in books.  The inspector spoke to pupils, both informally and formally, to gather their views of the

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Information about this inspection

school.  The inspector scrutinised a range of school documentation, including policies, planning documentation, information relating to staff training and information about the progress, behaviour and attendance of pupils in the school. The school’s single central record of employment checks was also scrutinised in detail.  As part of the inspection, the inspector considered the school’s request for a material change to increase the age range of pupils from 11 to 14 years to 11 to 16 years.

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Inspection team

Helen O’Neill, lead inspector 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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Inspection team

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