Cambridge Street School

School progress monitoring inspection report

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Cambridge Street School Cambridge Street, Batley, West Yorkshire WF17 5JB

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraph 3, 3(a), 3(f)  The progress monitoring inspection in July 2017 identified that teaching did not enable pupils to acquire new knowledge and make good progress in the subjects taught. At the time of the last inspection, teaching did not make effective use of resources of good quality, quantity and range.  The Department for Education (DfE) required the school to produce an action plan to address these unmet standards. The action plan notes a programme of staff training, and investment in a range of resources to meet the different needs of pupils, particularly in science, mathematics and reading. The action plan also specifies the steps that the headteacher and other leaders are taking to monitor the quality of lesson planning and delivery to ensure that pupils make good progress.  The actions taken by leaders to improve staff members’ planning has brought a sharp

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Main inspection findings

focus to the quality of learning. Staff make effective use of a range of teaching resources, including digital resources, to plan lessons that build on previous learning and enable pupils to make good progress. They have good subject knowledge for the levels at which they teach. Staff make good use of questioning to check for any misunderstanding by pupils and move them forward in their learning. They have high expectations of pupils, who conduct themselves well and apply themselves positively to their learning.  Records of pupils’ achievement show that almost all pupils make good progress across a wide range of subjects, and especially in English, mathematics and science. A sample of pupils’ work across all their subjects showed that improvement in literacy is having a positive impact on the quality of their work. Pupils value the additional lessons they receive to improve their learning if they are struggling to make all the progress that is

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Main inspection findings

expected of them.  As a result of the focus on improving literacy and reading, pupils show good progress in their work across a range of subjects. In a key stage 4 mathematics lesson, for example, a focus on key vocabulary enabled pupils to begin to grasp and articulate their understanding of different forms of fractions.  Pupils apply their knowledge of spelling, punctuation and grammar effectively in other subjects. For example, pupils are able to write extended passages accurately in their religious studies lessons comparing and contrasting religious beliefs in Christianity and Islam in preparation for their GCSE examination. In an English lesson, pupils in key stage 3 improved the quality and accuracy of their writing by developing the use of pronouns effectively to write more fluently.  The school library has been developed recently to provide pupils with a much wider range of texts, including literary texts. These supplement the range of reading materials

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Main inspection findings

pupils use at their weekly visits to the local library, where they work with the librarian.  Attainment in external examinations in summer 2017 showed that at the end of key stage 4 a high proportion of pupils achieved well across range of subjects at GCSE. Pupils are well prepared for the next steps in education or training. Pupils in key stage 4 are ambitious for their futures.  The proprietorial body and senior leaders have ensured that standards 3, 3(a) and 3(f) are now met. Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7, 7(a), 7,(b)  The previous inspection confirmed that the independent school standards about the school’s arrangements to safeguard pupils were met. They continue to be met at this inspection.  The school’s safeguarding policy is available on the school’s website and paper copies are available. It complies with the current guidance of the Secretary of State for Education.

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Main inspection findings

 Arrangements to carry out and record all the required checks on staff to ensure that only suitable adults work with pupils are carried out thoroughly. The designated safeguarding lead ensures that personnel files are complete and well organised, demonstrating attention to detail and the school’s keen focus on keeping pupils safe. The headteacher is fully aware of the ‘Prevent’ duty, and the proprietorial board ensures safer recruitment practices are carried out.  The proprietorial board and the headteacher ensure that all staff have suitable training for child protection and safeguarding and know what to do if they have a concern about a pupil. They carefully check that all staff complete basic child protection training and have regular update training.  Training records confirm that the designated safeguarding lead and his deputy have up- to-date training, and that members of the proprietorial body have training in safer

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Main inspection findings

recruitment.  School leaders ensure that pupils learn about how to keep themselves safe, for example, when they use the internet or other digital technologies. Staff establish positive relationships with pupils. As a result, pupils are confident that they will always get help from a trusted adult if they have a worry or a concern.  The headteacher ensures that the appropriate local authority team is informed in a timely manner if a pupil is missing from education or leaves the school other than at the end of key stage 4.  The school site is secure. Pupils say that they feel safe and well cared for.  The proprietorial body and school leaders have ensured that these standards continue to be met. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraph 20, 20(6), 20(6)(a), 20(6)(a)(i), 20(6)(a)(ii) , 20, 20(6)(b), 20(6)(b)(i), 20(6)(b)(ii), 20(6)(b)(iii), 20(6)(c ), 21, 21(1), 21(2), 21(6)

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Main inspection findings

 The previous inspection confirmed that the independent school standards about the school’s arrangements to carry out appropriate checks on staff and the proprietorial body to safeguard pupils were met. The DfE required the inspector to consider if this was still the case in this inspection.  Leaders maintain a single central register (SCR) of the checks made on all members of staff. The SCR records all the required checks made on members of the proprietorial body. The SCR is complete, with no gaps or omissions. The personnel files sampled during the inspection confirm that safer recruitment practices are followed. They are kept in an orderly manner and reflect leaders’ firm focus on keeping children safe.  The proprietorial body and school leaders have ensured that these standards continue to be met. Part 6. Provision of information Paragraph 32, 32(1)(c)  The previous inspection confirmed that the standards relating to the provision of

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Main inspection findings

information were met at the previous progress monitoring inspection. The DfE required the inspector to check compliance with the requirement to publish the school’s safeguarding policy on its website.  The safeguarding policy is available to parents and guardians on the school’s website. The school makes paper copies of its policies available on request.  The proprietorial body and school leaders have ensured that this standard continues to be met. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34, 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b)  The progress monitoring inspection in July 2017 identified that leaders had not ensured that all the independent school standards were met consistently.  The DfE required the school to produce an action plan to address these unmet standards. The action plan notes that leaders will check more rigorously the quality of teaching, learning and assessment to ensure that pupils make good progress. The action

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Main inspection findings

plan notes, too, that leaders will invest in resources of good quality, range and quantity.  Leaders have aligned checks on pupils’ progress and the quality of teaching, learning and assessment to a significant programme of staff training. This underpins pupils’ good progress in learning across a wide range of subjects, and particularly in literacy and reading. Leaders have also created a library to promote reading further and have put in place a programme of additional lessons to make sure pupils, who might fall behind otherwise, catch up and make good progress.  Leaders have continued to ensure that the arrangements to safeguard pupils are fit for purpose. They ensure all relevant checks are carried out on staff and the proprietorial body. Leaders consult and take advice from appropriate teams and agencies to support them in keeping pupils safe. Leaders make the school’s policy available to parents.

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Main inspection findings

 The proprietorial body and school leaders have ensured that these standards are now met.

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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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Part 1 Quality of education provided

Paragraph 3, 3(a), 3(f)  The proprietorial body has ensured that investment in resources of good quality, quantity and range support effective teaching.  Regular monitoring of the quality of teaching, learning and assessment shows that improved resources and training for staff enable pupils to make good progress  The whole-school focus on developing pupils’ skills in literacy contributes to the progress they make across a wider range of subjects.

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Part 3 Welfare, health and safety of pupils

Paragraph 7, 7(a), 7(b)  The school has a written safeguarding policy, which takes account of the current statutory guidance.  Safeguarding leaders and staff are well trained to recognise the signs of abuse and neglect.  Pupils feel safe and know they can turn to a trusted member of staff for help if they are worried or concerned. Pupils learn about how to keep themselves safe, especially when using the internet.  Leaders are proactive in contacting suitable teams to consult with, seek advice from and share concerns with. This helps to keep pupils safe.

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Part 4 Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors

Paragraph 20, 20(6), 20(6)(a), 20(6)(a)(i), 20(6)(a)(ii) Paragraph 21, 21(1), 21(2), 21(6)  All the required checks on staff and the proprietorial body are carried and recorded carefully.  The single central register (SCR) that records the outcomes of safeguarding checks is kept accurately.  Personnel files are kept in an orderly manner and confirm the school’s adherence to safer recruitment protocols.

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Part 6 Provision of information

Paragraph 32, 32(1)(c)  Leaders ensure that the safeguarding policy is published on the school’s website and that a paper copy can be provided by the school.

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Part 8 Quality of leadership and management of schools

Paragraph 34, 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b)  Leaders have successfully addressed the unmet standards identified at the previous progress monitoring inspection. Leaders demonstrate a good understanding of how they will work to ensure that they continue to meet all the independent school standards consistently.  The proprietorial body has continued to ensure the standards relating to safeguarding pupils, including standards about the suitability of staff, supply staff and proprietors, continue to be met.

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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

Email address admin@cambridgestreetschool.co.uk

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 20–22 September 2016

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Information about this school

 Cambridge Street School is a Muslim independent day school for boys aged 11 to 16. There are currently 26 pupils on roll. No pupils have a statement of special educational needs and/or disabilities, or an education, health and care plan currently.  The school received its first standard inspection in September 2016. At that point there were unmet independent school standards. A first progress monitoring inspection was carried out in July 2017, during which a small number of remaining unmet standards were identified. This inspection is the second consecutive progress monitoring inspection.  The school is based on a single site and no other alternative providers are used. Pupils attending the school come from local and surrounding towns, including Bradford, Leeds and Dewsbury, as well as Batley itself.  The governing body, formed in the summer term 2017, is currently the proprietorial board.

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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 was the second progress monitoring inspection following the school’s first standard inspection in September 2016. It was conducted without notice.  The school’s action plan to address the remaining unmet standards found at the first progress monitoring inspection in July 2017 was accepted by the DfE in November 2017.  The inspector held discussions with the headteacher, the proprietorial board, and with pupils and members of staff. The inspector conducted a learning walk in classrooms, considered the resources available and noted the range of displays and evidence of a wide range of learning activities

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Information about this inspection

 The inspector scrutinised pupils’ work across key stages and a range of subjects.  The DfE asked the inspector to review the school’s arrangements for safeguarding.  The inspector considered a wider range of other documents including records of planning to support pupils’ progress and achievement.

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Inspection team

Chris Campbell, lead inspector Ofsted 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

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

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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