Darul Hadis Latifiah

School progress monitoring inspection report

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Darul Hadis Latifiah 1 Cornwall Avenue, London E2 0HW

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7, 7(a), 7(b) and 32(1)(c)  At the full standard inspection, the safeguarding policy met requirements and was available on the school‟s website. However, leaders did not put it into practice effectively. Systems to help pupils, when there were child protection concerns, were not working. For example, the recording, sharing and tracking of information was poor. Leaders did not regularly attend child protection meetings.  At the time of the last inspection, leaders‟ work to protect pupils from radicalisation and extremism was effective. They had worked well in partnership with the local authority to train themselves, staff and pupils. Leaders had put in place a detailed and comprehensive risk assessment in relation to the „Prevent‟ duty. Pupils were confident about how to stay safe, including when online. Leaders planned pupils‟ spiritual, moral,

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Main inspection findings

social and cultural development effectively so that pupils were well prepared for life in modern Britain.  The action plan submitted by the school to the Department for Education (DfE), detailed the changes in the leadership of safeguarding, including a new designated safeguarding lead (DSL) and deputy DSL. A range of training for leaders, staff and governors was planned and/or recorded in the action plan, together with safeguarding audits and consultancy to support leaders‟ work. The plan included actions with timescales that had been identified because of these audits, for example ensuring that the recording of child protection information follows good practice.  Leaders have completed the actions outlined in the action plan and, as a result, they have developed a strong culture of safeguarding. The school‟s safeguarding policy meets requirements and is published on the website.  The DSL and his deputy have comprehensively overhauled the system for responding to

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Main inspection findings

concerns and for follow-up support when pupils are referred to the local authority (LA). Leaders‟ record-keeping is robust and detailed. Each case has a clear chronology and, for each event, follow-up actions and outcomes are clearly recorded. Leaders ask for advice from the local authority officers, and act on it promptly. Leaders attend all relevant meetings with children‟s services, when required.  Leaders check visiting speakers thoroughly; references are taken, their social media is checked, and presentations are scrutinised in advance. Potential speakers must sign and comply with the school‟s speakers‟ agreement, which places promotion of British values at the heart of its message.  Partnership work has been sustained to promote the „Prevent‟ duty agenda, and leaders reach out to a variety of reputable organisations through the LA to enhance safeguarding education for pupils. Pupils learn how to stay safe, including from

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Main inspection findings

radicalisation and extremism, in assemblies, through the pastoral programme and personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education.  Pupils are clear about what to do if they have concerns. They know the DSLs, and what safeguarding means. They are confident in their teachers and know how to stay safe on the internet.  The requirements of this paragraph are met.  The school meets all the requirements for this part. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraph 20(1), 20(2), 20(3), 20(3)(a), 20(3)(a)(i), 20(3)(a)(ii), 20(3)(b), 20(3)(b)(i), 20(3)(b)(ii), 20(3)(b)(iii), 20(5), 20(5)(a), 20(5)(a)(i), 20(5)(a)(ii), 20(5)(b), 20(5)(b)(i), 20(5)(b)(ii), 20(5)(b)(iii)  The proprietor, at the time of the full standard inspection, did not have the required background checks to meet the requirements of the statutory guidance. The proprietor was resident outside the United Kingdom.

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Main inspection findings

 The action plan submitted by the school to the DfE detailed the chronology of leaders‟ actions, and their communication with the DfE. The actions indicated that the school had moved swiftly to change the proprietorship from the individual proprietor to the governing body. The plan showed that the required checks on all members of the governing body, including the chair of governors, were under way with timescales for completion.  Leaders completed the actions outlined in the action plan. They changed the proprietor from an individual who was permanently resident outside the United Kingdom to the school‟s governing body. They have responded to communications from the DfE and made all the checks requested. At the time of the inspection, the proprietor section on Get Information About Schools (GIAS) was blank, indicating that the DfE were in the process of changing the details.  The requirements of this paragraph are met.

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Main inspection findings

Paragraph 21(1), 21(6), 21(7), 21(7)(a) and 21(7)(b)  At the full standard inspection, the single central record of staff vetting checks did not meet requirements because the checks on the proprietor had not been completed or recorded.  The action plan stated that all details of the relevant checks on the chair of the governing body were recorded on the single central record.  The single central record is well organised, and all governors and trustees, including the chair of governors, are accounted for.  The requirements of this paragraph are met.  The school meets all the requirements for this part. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b) and 34(1)(c)  At the full standard inspection, leaders had not ensured that all the independent school standards were met. In addition to the unmet standards, leaders did not evaluate deeply enough whether their strategies to improve the school were working. As a result, they

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Main inspection findings

had an overgenerous view of the quality of teaching and pupils‟ progress. Teachers did not apply school policies consistently; for example, the assessment and literacy policies.  The action plan was comprehensive and detailed. It directly addressed the standards that were not met at the previous inspection, and areas that were judged as requires improvement during the inspection, such as teaching, learning and assessment.  Governors took swift action following the last inspection and made key changes and additions to the school‟s leadership. The principal, the headteacher and the safeguarding leaders have ensured that the school‟s work to safeguard pupils is effective, and the independent school standards are met.  Leaders have started to improve teaching, learning and assessment, and strive for greater consistency across subjects. Pupils have target grades in all subjects and know what they need to do to improve. Leaders have introduced literacy programmes to

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Main inspection findings

improve pupils‟ reading and writing.  Governors are pleased with the improvements but are not complacent. They are working more effectively together as a team of governors and hold leaders to account more rigorously.  The requirements of this paragraph are met.  The school meets all the requirements for this part.

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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 ensures that arrangements are made to safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils at the school; and such arrangements have regard to any guidance issued by the Secretary of State. Arrangements for meeting the standard contained in paragraph 7 are published on the school‟s internet website or, where no such website exists, are provided to parents on request; (paragraph 7, 7(a), 7(b) and 32(1)(c)).  The proprietor 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 to that Act; and 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

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The school now meets the following independent school standards

takes effect as if contained in either such direction (paragraph 20(1), 20(2), 20(3), 20(3)(a), 20(3)(a)(i), 20(3)(a)(ii)).  The Secretary of State makes the following checks relating to the individual before the school is entered in the register or, in the case of a registered school, before or as soon as practicable after the individual takes over as proprietor: an enhanced criminal record check, countersigned by the Secretary of State where an application for such a check is made under section 113B(1) of the 1997 Act; checks confirming the individual‟s identity and their right to work in the United Kingdom; and in the case of an individual for whom, by reason of that individual living or having lived outside the United Kingdom, obtaining an enhanced criminal record certificate is not sufficient to establish the individual‟s suitability to work in a school, such further checks as the Secretary of State considers

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The school now meets the following independent school standards

appropriate (paragraph 20(3)(b), 20(3)(b)(i), 20(3)(b)(ii) and 20(3)(b)(iii)).  The standard in this paragraph is met in relation to an individual who is the chair of the school if the individual 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 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(5), 20(5)(a), 20(5)(a)(i), 20(5)(a)(ii)); where relevant to the individual, an enhanced criminal record check, countersigned by the Secretary of State where an

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The school now meets the following independent school standards

application for such a check is made under section 113B(1) of the 1997 Act; checks confirming the individual‟s identity and their right to work in the United Kingdom; and in the case of an individual for whom, by reason of the individual living or having lived outside the United Kingdom, obtaining an enhanced criminal record certificate is not sufficient to establish the individual‟s suitability to work in a school, such further checks as the Secretary of State considers appropriate (paragraph 20(5)(b), 20(5)(b)(i), 20(5)(b)(ii) and 20(5)(b)(iii)).  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. 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 1st 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

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The school now meets the following independent school standards

resulting certificate was obtained. 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 1st August 2007 who was appointed at any time before 1st May 2007 – whether each check referred to in sub-paragraph (6) was made; and whether an enhanced criminal record certificate was obtained, together with the date on which any check was completed or certificate obtained (paragraph 21(1), 21(6), 21(7), 21(7)(a) and 21(7)(b)).  The proprietor ensures 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(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b) and 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

Of which, number on roll in sixth form 21

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School details

Headteacher Principal Muhammad Hasan Chowdhury Headteacher Foezul Ali Annual fees (day pupils) £3,000 (£1,750 in the sixth form)

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 6–8 February 2018

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Information about this school

 The school is an independent day school for boys. The school has a Muslim ethos.  The school occupies the site of a former further education college in Bethnal Green. The premises have been adapted for school use. The school uses the facilities in Bethnal Green Gardens for outdoor recreation.  The school is registered for up to 300 boys between the ages of 11 to 20. There are currently 93 pupils on roll.  The previous full standard inspection took place in February 2018, where the overall judgement was inadequate.  Since the previous inspection, there have been several changes in leadership. A new headteacher has been appointed and has been in post since April 2018. Two members of the senior leadership team have taken over responsibility for leading the school‟s safeguarding work. The governing body has taken over the role of proprietor. The school is in the process of finalising the change of proprietorship with the DfE.

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Information about this school

 The school does not use any alternative provision.

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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 first monitoring inspection since the full standard inspection in February 2018.  The inspection took place without notice.  The inspection focused on Parts 3, 4 and 8 of the independent school standards.  The inspector made a tour of the building and accompanied pupils to Bethnal Green Gardens at breaktime.  The inspector talked informally with pupils at breaktime, and met with two groups of pupils, including those representing the school council and sixth-form students.  The inspector met with a group of governors, including the chair of governors. Meetings were also held with the principal, the headteacher and senior leaders, including the

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Information about this inspection

schools safeguarding lead and deputy. The inspector held a telephone conversation with the „Prevent‟ education officer for Tower Hamlets.  The inspector scrutinised a range of documentation, including the single central record of staff pre-employment checks and other documentation relating to safeguarding.

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Inspection team

Janet Hallett, 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

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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Inspection team

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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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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