Al-Falah Primary School

School progress monitoring inspection report

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Draft and confidential - Not for disclosure or publication Al-Falah Primary School 48 Kenninghall Road, Clapton, London E5 8BY

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7, 7(a), 7(b), 32(1) and 32(1)(c)  At the previous inspection, the school’s systems to manage the safeguarding of pupils were not thorough enough, especially in relation to the completion of vetting checks on staff.  This inspection confirmed that leaders have completed all the proposed actions identified in their action plan. Leaders have transformed the way they complete and record vetting checks on staff, which now meet all the requirements. The school’s compliant safeguarding and child protection policies pay due regard to the latest statutory guidance and are available on the school’s website. However, the system for recording safeguarding concerns does not reflect a strong enough safeguarding culture. The handwritten safeguarding logs show a lack of rigour in following up concerns and recording referrals made and actions taken.  As a result, paragraph 7(b) is now met and paragraph 32(1)(c) continues to be met.

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Main inspection findings

 However, paragraph 7(a) continues to be not met. Paragraphs 11, 12, 16, 16(a), 16(b) and 25  At the previous inspection, the arrangements for health and safety, including fire safety and risk assessment, were poor. For example, the day-to-day checking of the suitability of the building and associated risks was unsatisfactory, fire doors were bolted, there was a lack of fire evacuation signage, no fire risk assessment had been carried out within the required time frame and there was no weekly testing of the fire alarm system.  This inspection confirmed that leaders have completed all the proposed actions identified in their action plan. The premises are now safe and well maintained. The arrangements for fire safety now meet the regulatory requirements. Risk assessments are robust and implemented well.  As a result, the paragraphs listed above are now met.  Leaders have not ensured that all the standards in this part are now met because

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Main inspection findings

paragraph 7(a) remains not met. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff and proprietors Paragraphs 18(2)(b), 20(6), 20(6)(a), 20(6)(a)(i), 20(6)(a)(ii), 20(6)(b), 20(6)(b)(i), 20(6)(b)(ii), 20(6)(b)(iii), 20(6)(c), 21(1), 21(3), 21(3)(a)(iii), 21(3)(a)(viii), 21(3)(b), 21(6), 21(7), 21(7)(a) and 21(7)(b)  At the previous inspection, the single central record of vetting checks was incomplete because not all of the necessary vetting checks on staff had been carried out.  This inspection confirmed that leaders have completed all the proposed actions identified in their action plan. The single central record of vetting checks now meets requirements.  As a result, the paragraphs listed above are now met.  Leaders have ensured that the standards in this part are now met. Part 6. Provision of information Paragraphs 32(3), 32(3)(b) and 32(3)(f)  At the previous inspection, the school did not indicate how it provided for pupils who

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Main inspection findings

have an education, health and care (EHC) plan and for pupils who speak English as an additional language. Leaders also did not provide information about the number of complaints they had registered under their formal procedure.  This inspection confirmed that leaders have completed the proposed actions identified in their action plan. All of the required information is now provided in the school’s special educational needs and English as an additional language policies. Leaders also now publish the number of complaints they have registered under their formal procedure on their website.  As a result, the paragraphs listed above are now met.  Leaders have ensured that the standards in this part are now met. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b) and 34(1)(c)  Leaders have taken effective action since the previous full inspection in July 2017. At

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Main inspection findings

that time, they had not been effective in ensuring that the independent school standards were met fully.  This inspection confirms that much has improved and the vast majority of independent school standards previously judged as not met are now met.  However, leaders have more work to do to ensure that their recording of safeguarding concerns, referrals and actions taken reflect the consistently strong safeguarding culture they are aspiring to realise.  As a result, the paragraphs listed above continue to be not met.  Leaders have not ensured that the standards in this part are now met. Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010

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Main inspection findings

 Leaders have now written and are implementing an appropriate three-year accessibility plan which meets the requirements of Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010.

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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, as set out in the annex of this report. 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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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

Date of previous standard inspection 4–6 July 2017

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Information about this school

 Al-Falah Primary School is an independent Muslim day school.  The school provides an Islamic curriculum, in addition to all subjects of the national curriculum.  The school’s most recent inspection was a full standard inspection in July 2017.

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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 inspection was the school’s first progress monitoring inspection and was conducted without notice.  In July 2017, a full standard inspection of the school judged it to be inadequate. The school submitted an action plan. Ofsted’s review of this plan in December 2017 judged it to be acceptable. As a result, the Department for Education wrote to the school to confirm the action plan had been approved in January 2018.  The inspection focused on the school’s progress against specific requirements within Parts 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8 of the independent school standards. The inspector also checked

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Information about this inspection

the school’s compliance with Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010.  The inspector conducted the inspection in collaboration with the headteacher.  The inspector toured the premises and scrutinised a range of relevant documentation, including that relating to safeguarding, health and safety and risk assessment. He also met the designated safeguarding leader, a group of pupils in Year 6 and spoke by telephone with the local authority’s designated officer for safeguarding.  The inspector considered the 24 recent responses to Ofsted’s online survey, Parent View.

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Inspection team

James Waite, lead inspector Ofsted Inspector

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

 7 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that-  7(a) arrangements are made to safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils at the school.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

 34(1) The standard about the quality of leadership and management is met if the proprietor ensures that persons with leadership and management responsibilities at the school-  34(1)(a) demonstrate good skills and knowledge appropriate to their role so that the independent school standards are met consistently;  34(1)(b) fulfil their responsibilities effectively so that the independent school standards are met consistently; and  34(1)(c) actively promote the well-being of pupils.

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

 7 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that-  7(b) safeguarding arrangements have regard to any guidance issued by the Secretary of State.  11 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that relevant health and safety laws are complied with by the drawing up and effective implementation of a written health and safety policy.  12 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005[12].  16 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that-  16(a) the welfare of pupils at the school is safeguarded and promoted by the drawing up and effective implementation of a written risk assessment policy; and  16(b) appropriate action is taken to reduce risks that are identified.

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Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff and proprietors

 18(2) The standard in this paragraph is met if-  18(2)(b) no such 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.  20(6) The standard in this paragraph is met in relation to 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, if-  20(6)(a) MB-  20(6)(a)(i) 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; and

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Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff and proprietors

 20(6)(a)(ii) 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;  20(6)(b) subject to sub-paragraphs (7) to (8), the chair of the school makes the following checks relating to MB-  20(6)(b)(i) where relevant to the individual, an enhanced criminal record check;  20(6)(b)(ii) checks confirming MB’s identity and MB’s right to work in the United Kingdom; and  20(6)(b)(iii) where, by reason of MB’s living or having lived outside the United Kingdom, obtaining an enhanced criminal record certificate is not sufficient to establish MB’s suitability to work in a school, such further checks as the chair of the school considers appropriate, having regard to any guidance issued by the Secretary of State;

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Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff and proprietors

 20(6)(c) subject to sub-paragraph (8), where the Secretary of State makes a request for an enhanced criminal record check relating to MB countersigned by the Secretary of State to be made, such a check is made.  21(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor keeps a register which shows such of the information referred to in sub-paragraphs (3) to (7) as is applicable to the school in question.  21(3) The information referred to in this sub-paragraph is-  21(3)(a) in relation to each member of staff ("S") appointed on or after 1 May 2007, whether-  21(3)(a)(iii) a check was made to establish whether S 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;  21(3)(a)(viii) checks were made pursuant to paragraph 18(2)(e);  21(3)(b) in relation to each member of staff ("S"), whether a check was made to

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Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff and proprietors

establish whether S is subject to a prohibition order or an interim prohibition order, including the date on which such check was completed.  21(6) The information referred to in this sub-paragraph is, in relation each member ("MB") of a body of persons named as the proprietor appointed on or after 1 May 2007, whether 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.  21(7) The information referred to in this sub-paragraph is, in relation to each member of a body of persons named as the proprietor in post on 1 August 2007 who was appointed at any time before 1 May 2007-  21(7)(a) whether each check referred to in sub-paragraph (6) was made; and  21(7)(b) whether an enhanced criminal record certificate was obtained, together with the date on which any check was completed or certificate obtained.

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Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

 25 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures 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, safety and welfare of pupils are ensured.

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Part 6. Provision of information

 32(3) The information specified in this sub-paragraph is-  32(3)(b) particulars of educational and welfare provision for pupils with EHC plans and pupils for whom English is an additional language;  32(3)(f) details of the complaints procedure referred to in paragraph 33, and the number of complaints registered under the formal procedure during the preceding school year. 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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Part 6. Provision of information

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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Part 6. Provision of information

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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Part 6. Provision of information

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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Part 6. Provision of information

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Part 6. Provision of information

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Part 6. Provision of information

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