Al Kauthar Girls Academy

School progress monitoring inspection report

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New Horizon Community School Newton Hill House, Newton Hill Road, Leeds, West Yorkshire LS7 4JE

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7, 7(a), 7(b)  In the previous monitoring inspection, safeguarding standards were found to be unmet. This was because the safeguarding policy was not appropriate, and the single central record could not be accessed at the time of the inspection.  The safeguarding policy has since been updated and is now compliant with government guidance. It is available for parents on the school‟s website.  At the beginning of the inspection, an incomplete single central record was presented to the inspector. Towards the end of the inspection, it was revealed that the single central record had been presented in error and the correct one was later presented. Some issues remain with the latest version of the single central record.  During the inspection, a fire door was found to be propped open. This means that anyone could gain access to the school building and access classrooms. This presents a

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Main inspection findings

risk to pupil and staff safety.  The proprietor does not ensure that a designated safeguarding lead is available in school at all times. This means that should pupils have a problem, or make a disclosure, there is not always someone available with the appropriate training to take the necessary action. Staff signing in records show this to be the case.  At the time of this inspection, no one was available to speak with the inspector in detail about safeguarding in the school. The acting deputy headteacher, in her role as designated safeguarding lead, lacked sufficient knowledge of systems and records in the school to provide appropriate information.  Safeguarding records are extremely weak. While there is some evidence that staff record incidents, they do not use the incident forms that are part of the safeguarding policy. There is little evidence of appropriate action being taken following disclosures. There is

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Main inspection findings

little substantial evidence of action taken following leaders‟ application of the Children Missing in Education policy. These records are not stored securely.  Staff files, including for those staff recently recruited to the school, show that the proprietor does not ensure that safer recruitment practices are followed. For example, a member of staff employed earlier this year does not have any references on file. Other staff files show a lack of thorough checking of employment history, including checking of gaps in employment. Open references have been accepted. One file contains references from a previous employer that the staff member did not list on their work history and one member of staff had not recorded any previous employment history despite having a reference from a previous employer and a previous profession being identified on their DBS certificate. There was no evidence that further checks had been taken to verify

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Main inspection findings

employment history.  These standards remain unmet. Paragraph 15  During this inspection, the attendance and admission logs were checked as part of safeguarding checks. The proprietor is not ensuring that these are maintained in accordance with the Education Regulations 2006. Attendance registers are not always written in ink and the admissions log is incomplete. For example, leaders do not record gender and pupils who leave the school and are readmitted are not recorded appropriately.  This standard is unmet. Paragraph 16, 16(a), 16(b)  In the previous progress monitoring inspection in November 2017, these standards were met because the proprietor ensured an appropriate risk assessment was in place and implemented.  During this inspection, risk assessments were found not to be fully implemented. For example, when considering fire risk, the risk assessment states that exits will be kept clear. Two fire exits were found to be partially blocked, one by a printer and one by a

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Main inspection findings

lawnmower. Building materials were left out at the front of the building and were not appropriately marked or risk assessed, presenting a hazard for staff and pupils. The advisory deputy headteacher took action to rectify this during the inspection.  This standard is unmet. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraph 18(2)(a), 18(2)(c), 18(2)(c)(i), 18(2)(c)(ii), 18(2)(c)(iii), 18(2)(c)(iv), 18(2)(d), 18(2)(f), 18(3), 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(2), 21(3)(a)(i), 21(3)(a)(ii), 21(3)(a)(iv), 21(3)(a)(v), 21(3)(a)(vi), 21(3)(a)(vii), 21(3)(b), 21(4), 21(6).  In the previous standard inspection and in the previous progress monitoring inspection, these standards were unmet.  At the beginning of the inspection, the single central record presented to the inspector was incomplete. Towards the end of the inspection, it was revealed that the incorrect

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Main inspection findings

single central record had been shared.  The later version of the single central record shows that the proprietor has ensured that most checks have been carried out to ensure that staff are safe to work with children.  These standards are now met. Paragraph 18(2), 18(2)((b), 18(2)(e), 21(3), 21(3)(a), 21(3)(a)(iii), 21(3)(a)(viii)  The proprietor has not ensured that appropriate checks have taken place on all staff who have leadership responsibility and those who have previously worked overseas.  These standards remain unmet. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraph 25  At the previous monitoring inspection, this standard was found to be unmet due to various hazards on the school site, including windows on the second and third floor being able to fully open. The issues identified in this previous monitoring inspection have been rectified.  During this inspection, the site was found to remain unsafe because of building materials

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Main inspection findings

in the front area of the school which pose a potential hazard to pupils and staff and two fire exits being partially blocked.  This standard remains unmet. Paragraph 27, 27(a), 27(b)  At the previous monitoring inspection in November 2017, the inspector found that the lights were not in good working order.  During this inspection, all lights were checked and found to now be in good working order.  These standards are now met. Part 6. Provision of information 32(2), 32(2)(b), 32(2)(b)(ii), 32(2)(c)  During the previous progress monitoring inspection, there was lack of clarity around who the proprietors were and who the governors were.  This has since been resolved and is now clear on the school website. There is appropriate contact information available for parents to contact the proprietor and the chair of the governing body.  These standards are now met. Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled

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Main inspection findings

Paragraph 33(h)  The proprietor ensures that an appropriate policy is in place, which is available to parents on the school website.  The proprietors, however, have failed to ensure that the policy is implemented appropriately.  This standard is unmet. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b), 34(1)(c)  There is currently no headteacher or deputy headteacher in place in the school. The headteacher and deputy headteacher from Islamia Girls‟ High School are currently carrying out these roles on a part-time advisory basis.  The proprietor and leaders do not ensure that the school consistently meets the independent school standards. Despite making progress with some standards, standards unmet at the full standard inspection in March 2017 remain unmet. Additional standards were also found to be unmet during this inspection.  The proprietor does not ensure that leaders have the knowledge and skills to fulfil their

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Main inspection findings

roles successfully.  Pupils‟ well-being is not actively promoted, because safeguarding is weak. The school policy is not applied fully, recording of actions taken is weak and, at the time of the inspection, there were a number of issues with safety on the school site.  These standards remain unmet.

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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

Proprietor Ejaz Hussain, Zulfiqar Ahmed, Parviz Hussain, Jamil Ahmed, Rasheed Ali, Shazad Ilyas. Chair Shazad Ilyas

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School details

Email address info@newhorizonschool.co.uk

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 21–23 March 2017

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Information about this school

 New Horizons Community School is a Muslim girls‟ day school, catering for pupils between the ages of 11 and 16 years.  The previous standard inspection took place in March 2017, and there was a further progress monitoring inspection which took place in November 2017.  The school does not use any alternative provision.  The number of pupils on roll has decreased since the previous inspection.  The previous headteacher, currently listed on the government‟s „Get Information About Schools‟ site is no longer working at the school. There has also been a school manager in post this academic year who left the school in April 2018. There is currently no headteacher or school manager in post at the school.  In the previous standard inspection, there was uncertainty about who the proprietors and governors were. This has been clarified and this information is available on the school‟s website.

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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 inspector met with staff, pupils, the chair of governors and a proprietor. A meeting was held with the acting deputy headteacher, who is working in the school on an advisory basis. The inspector toured the premises, inside and out. She checked the single central record and documents associated with the independent school standards.  The inspector also considered a number of complaints about the school.  This was the second progress monitoring inspection. The previous progress monitoring inspection took place in November 2017 and the full standard inspection took place in March 2017.

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Information about this inspection

 The DfE required the school to produce an action plan which was subsequently rejected by the DfE. A further action plan has been submitted.

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Inspection team

Debbie Redshaw, lead inspector Her Majesty‟s Inspector

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The school does not meet the following independent school standards

Standards that were not met at the previous inspection and remain unmet at this inspection

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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–

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

7(a) arrangements are made to safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils at the school; and

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

7(b) such arrangements have regard to any guidance issued by the Secretary of State.

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Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors

 18(2) The standard in this paragraph is met if–

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Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors

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;

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Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors

18(2)(e) in the case of any person for whom, by reason of that person living or having lived outside the United Kingdom, obtaining such a certificate is not sufficient to establish the person‟s suitability to work in a school, such further checks are made as the proprietor 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

 21(3) The information referred to in this sub-paragraph is–

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Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors

21(3)(a) in relation to each member of staff (“S”) appointed on or after 1st May 2007, whether–

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Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors

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;

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Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors

21(3)(a)(viii) checks were made pursuant to paragraph 18(2)(e).

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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 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–

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

34(1)(a) demonstrate good skills and knowledge appropriate to their role so that the independent school standards are met consistently;

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

34(1)(b) fulfil their responsibilities effectively so that the independent school standards are met consistently; and

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

34(1)(c) actively promote the well-being of pupils.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

Standards that were met at the previous inspection, but are now judged to not be met at this inspection

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

 15 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that an admission and attendance register is maintained in accordance with the Education (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2006[13].

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

 16 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that–

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

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

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

16(b) appropriate action is taken to reduce risks that are identified.

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Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled

 The standard about the manner in which complaints are handled is met if the proprietor ensures that a complaints procedure is drawn up and effectively implemented which deals with the handling of complaints from parents of pupils and which–

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Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled

33(h) allows for a parent to attend and be accompanied at a panel hearing if they wish.

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standards

 27 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that–  27(a) the lighting in each room or other internal space is suitable, having regard to the nature of the activities which normally take place therein; and

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standards

27(b) external lighting is provided in order to ensure that people can safely enter and leave the school premises.

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standards

 32(2) The information specified in this subparagraph is–

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standards

32(2)(b)(ii) where the proprietor is a body of persons, the address and telephone number of its registered or principal office;

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standards

32(2)(c) where there is a governing body, the name and address for correspondence of its Chair. 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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standards

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standards

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standards

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standards

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standards

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standards

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