Rida Girls High School

School material change inspection report

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Rida Girls’ High School The Perseverance, Forge Lane, Dewsbury WF12 9EJ

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraphs 1 and 2  School leaders have developed an appropriate curriculum for the school which is enabling pupils to make good progress. Evidence in current pupils’ books demonstrates this clearly.  Most of the curriculum plans leaders have developed for older pupils contain the relevant level of detail and define learning effectively. However, curriculum plans for mathematics are less well written. Leaders are aware of this and are working with a leader from a mainstream secondary school to improve their planned provision in mathematics.  The proposed curriculum for older pupils covers all areas of learning required in the independent school standards. The planned curriculum for older pupils is broad and balanced. It is likely to meet the independent school standards as well as meet the needs of individual pupils.  The current system used by leaders to check on the progress made by pupils is to be

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Main inspection findings

extended to include older pupils. This system was in place at the time of the previous inspection and was considered to be well organised and to give staff clear guidance. Discussions with senior leaders during the inspection showed they have been effective at developing the system to meet the needs of older pupils.  Personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education plans show proposed effective coverage of a range of subjects including, healthy living, sex and relationships, and online safety. The school currently has a very open approach to developing pupils’ understanding of fundamental British values and how pupils will learn to respect the protected characteristics identified within the Equality Act 2010. This approach is to continue and be further developed for older pupils.  At the start of the inspection, school leaders were not as clearly focused on how they would teach unbiased careers education to pupils. However, by the end of the

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Main inspection findings

inspection, this had been resolved and school leaders had organised external careers advice for older pupils. Paragraph 3  The school currently does not employ qualified teachers. However, teaching staff work closely with a member of the governing body who is a qualified teacher. This system ensures that planned work meets the needs of individual pupils. Leaders plan to further develop this system for older pupils. Paragraph 4  The proposed assessment system is likely to meet requirements. Pupils’ academic starting points will be established through a range of baseline assessments when they join the school. It is planned that pupils’ progress will be tracked at termly intervals and this information will be used by staff to plan further work.  All independent standards in this part are likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 6 and 7  School leaders have made effective arrangements to safeguard and promote a culture of ensuring the welfare of all pupils. Clear safeguarding policies and procedures have been drawn up and are currently in place. The safeguarding policy displayed on the website meets requirements and reflects the latest governmental guidance.  Leaders have ensured that risk assessments and safeguarding plans take into account the change in premises and the proposed increase in the numbers of pupils.  Strict and effective protocols are to be followed to ensure that staff recruitment is carried out safely. Leaders intend to ensure that pre-appointment checks are carried out on all new members of staff in accordance with statutory guidance. Paragraph 9  School leaders have already put in place an effective behaviour policy which clearly sets out the consequences and sanctions for pupils’ misbehaviour. A sanctions book is

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Main inspection findings

in place but has no entries as current pupils’ behaviour is often exemplary. The policy also defines the high expectations leaders and staff have overall of pupils’ behaviour. Paragraph 10  School leaders have already put in place an anti-bullying policy. This is comprehensive and recognises the different forms that bullying can take. The policy describes well a range of planned strategies should bullying occur. Paragraphs 11 and 12  Leaders have drawn up a health and safety policy which includes a comprehensive fire risk assessment. Fire exits are clearly identifiable, a fire detection system is in place and a fire evacuation plan has been compiled for the school’s current building. Paragraph 13  The proprietor has ensured that a first aid policy is in place which includes provision for the administration of first aid. Sufficient staff have received first aid training. First aid boxes are situated in relevant places around the school in readiness for pupils and

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Main inspection findings

staff. Paragraph 14  Proposed timetables show that older pupils will have access to an organised curriculum which will be bespoke to their needs. This is in line with the school’s current practice. Paragraph 15  The proprietor has ensured that attendance and admissions registers are completed in line with current regulatory requirements. Staff and leaders are aware of the need to report on the destination of all leavers, so as to minimise the risk of pupils being deemed to be missing from education. Paragraph 16  A comprehensive risk assessment policy is currently in place. Risk assessments seen during the inspection clearly identify risks to pupils, both inside and outside school.  School leaders have ensured that standards are likely to be met in his part.

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Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 22 to 28  Since the previous inspection, the school has relocated to a new address. The building, a former public house and more recently a study centre, has a large car park and grassed area outside the building, as well as adequate floor space inside the building for the number of pupils requested.  This building is designed to be an interim provision for the school, which is planning to move to purpose-built premises owned by the Indian Muslim Patel Society, a registered charity. There has been a delay in finishing the building, but leaders are hopeful that the school will move to its final destination by November 2018.  The current building comprises four classroom areas, including a home technology area, which also has a dual role as a science room. A further room has information and communication technology equipment, much of which remained in boxes at the

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Main inspection findings

time of the inspection. A larger room has been designated as a refectory and hall, but leaders plan this could also be used as a further classroom.  The building is finished to a high standard. All lighting, including outside lights, meet the required standard. The building also meets the acoustic requirements of the independent school standards.  A tour of the premises showed that there are sufficient toilet and showering facilities for the sole use of pupils. A medical room is also in place which is close to a set of toilets and contains a wash basin.  Drinking water coolers are in place, ensuring that pupils have adequate access to fresh drinking water at all times. Paragraph 29  Outside the building, adjacent to the car park, is a grassed area. Leaders are planning to develop this further with the addition of a marquee-like structure to offer pupils a more versatile area for physical education in inclement weather conditions.

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Main inspection findings

 The proprietor and school leaders have ensured that standards are likely to be met in this part.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34  It is planned that the headteacher will continue to oversee the day-to-day running of the school, including the provision for older pupils.  The headteacher is an experienced leader who also manages several other education- related businesses. The effectiveness of the leadership of the headteacher, governors and proprietor was graded as outstanding in the previous inspection report.  The proprietor is knowledgeable about the requirements of the independent school standards and has a clear vision for the future of the school.  During the inspection, the leadership team demonstrated effective knowledge and understanding of the welfare and educational needs of prospective pupils.  Systems in place to recruit staff safely meet current requirements.  The proprietor and school leaders have ensured that standards are likely to be met in

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Main inspection findings

Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  School leaders have made sure that arrangements made to meet paragraph 3 of schedule 10 of the Equalities Act are effectively in place.  The leaders have drawn up an effective accessibility plan for the school.

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Compliance with regulatory requirements

The school is likely to meet the requirements of the schedule to the Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014 (‘the independent school standards’) and associated requirements that are relevant to the material change.

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School details

This inspection was carried out under section 162(4) of the Education Act 2002, the purpose of which is to advise the Secretary of State for Education about the school’s likely compliance with the independent school standards relevant to the material change that the school has applied to make.

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School details

Proprietor Zakaria Education Dewsbury Ltd

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 6–8 March 2018

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 11 to 13 11 to 14 11 to 14

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 8 42 42

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 8 42

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils who have special educational needs and/or disabilities 0 0

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with a statement of special educational needs or an education, health and care plan 0 0

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils paid for by a local authority with a statement of special educational needs or an education, health and care plan 0 0

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 4 5

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Information about this school

 Rida Girls High School is an independent Muslim day school for girls. The school opened in September 2017 following registration with the Department for Education in July 2017.  The school received its first standard inspection in March 2018.  The school currently holds registration status for pupils aged 11 and 13 years.  The school has requested a material change inspection to increase the age range of pupils to 11–14 years. The school has also asked for the number of pupils to be increased to 42.  The school is currently residing in temporary premises until the purpose-built school, which is currently under construction, is ready. This is expected to be in the autumn term of the 2018/19 academic year.  Since the previous inspection, the school has changed its proprietorial board from Indian Muslim Patel Association to Zakaria Education Dewsbury Ltd. Emails shared with the inspector during the inspection showed that the proprietor had informed the

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Information about this school

Department for Education of this change but, as yet, no change has been made to the Get information about schools (GIAS) entry.  The school does not use alternative provision.

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Information about this inspection

 This was the first visit to the school since school leaders requested a material change to the number and age of pupils attending the school.  The inspector scrutinised a range of documents provided by the school, including safeguarding documentation, documents relating to the school’s proposed curriculum and pupils’ progress.  Discussions were held with the headteacher and the proprietor.

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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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Inspection team

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