Al-Noor Primary School

School material change inspection report

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Al-Noor Primary School Newton Industrial Estate, Eastern Avenue, Romford, Essex RM6 5SD

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The school meets the independent school

standards relevant to the material change.

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7, 7(a), 7(b) and 32(1), 32(1)(c)  Safeguarding is effective. There is a safeguarding policy which meets requirements and is made available to parents on the school’s website.  Leaders have developed a strong culture of safeguarding. Leaders are trained and knowledgeable across a wide range of types of risk and aspects of child protection. Staff training, including for the ‘Prevent’ statutory duty, is effective. Staff have a strong sense of responsibility and can talk confidently about how they respond to concerns. Leaders keep meticulous records and respond to concerns in a timely manner. Documentary evidence shows that leaders engage with external agencies effectively.  Notices around the school and in every classroom make clear to pupils who they should talk to if they are worried. Pupils know that adults are responsible for keeping them safe and have confidence in adults to respond to their concerns and keep them

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Main inspection findings

safe.  Pupils can explain how to stay safe online. They know about internet filters, keeping passwords safe and always logging out correctly.  Pupils feel safe from bullying and can talk about the work they have done in class to support an anti-bullying ethos.  Pupils learn how to travel safely on foot and by bicycle. ‘Junior travel ambassadors’ develop this work across the school.  The process for vetting of speakers is robust; trustees have full oversight and decide whether to issue an invitation to speak. Leaders check the proposed speaker’s social media, websites and publications. This is recorded in the minutes of trustees’ meetings, showing due diligence. A new speakers’ agreement is about to be discussed and ratified by the trustees.  School leaders have ensured that standards are likely to be met by the school if the Department for Education (DfE) decides to approve implementation of the material

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Main inspection findings

change. Paragraph 11, 12, 16, 16(a) and 16(b)  Leaders have ensured that the health and safety and risk assessment policies are fit for purpose and are implemented effectively. Leaders have commissioned an external health and safety audit to help them improve their practice. Staff training and actions to address any concerns identified in the audit have been completed.  Procedures for ensuring that the building is safe and that issues are dealt with promptly are clear and robust. Oversight by senior leaders and governors is effective. The building is brand new, so some health and safety concerns remain the responsibility of the contractor, while others are the responsibility of the school. Leaders manage these different approaches well and take advice where necessary. Risk assessments include detailed accounts of risk and control measures. They are reviewed regularly.  The fire signage is in place and effective. Checks, such as those regarding alarm call

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Main inspection findings

points and emergency lighting, are completed regularly and recorded in line with the fire risk assessment. Fire drills are practised once every half term. Pupils find the building safe. They understand what to do in a fire drill, where the assembly point is and why it is important to stay calm.  School leaders have ensured that standards are likely to be met by the school if the DfE decides to approve implementation of the material change.

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Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraph 23(1), 23(1)(a), 23(1)(b), 23(1)(c), 23(2), 24(1), 24(1)(a), 24(1)(b), 24(2), 25, 26, 27, 27(a), 27(b), 28(1), 28(1)(a), 28(1)(b), 28(1)(c), 28(1)(d), 28(2), 28(2)(a), 28(2)(b), 29(1), 29(1)(a) and 29(1)(b)  The new school building provides an inspiring and supportive learning environment for pupils. The design makes good use of natural daylight so that classrooms and corridors are bright, light and airy. Classroom facilities and furniture are safe and suited to pupils’ learning needs.  The provision of toilets and washing facilities meets requirements. There is hot and cold water at suitable temperatures. The medical facilities for pupils who are unwell are welcoming and easily supervised, with a sink and easy access to toilets next door.  There is labelled drinking water in all classrooms and water fountains in the corridors and playground.

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Main inspection findings

 Pupils have access to suitable outside space for play and physical education. There is a large playground at ground level and an outdoor play deck on the second floor of the building. The ground and floor surfaces are suitable. The play deck is safe, with substantial fencing to the side and netting at above ceiling height.  The building is well maintained and spotlessly clean. Signage throughout the school is effective. This includes information about health and safety, first aiders and fire notices.  Pupils are proud of their new building and were keen to talk to inspectors about it.  School leaders have ensured that standards are likely to be met by the school if the DfE decides to approve implementation of the material change.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b) and 34(1)(c)  Governors and trustees have demonstrated the vision and imagination to plan and deliver high-quality new premises for pupils and the local community.  The headteacher and other senior and middle leaders demonstrate effective leadership skills. They are highly organised and promote strong systems and procedures so that the school runs smoothly. The headteacher has ensured that the independent school and the maintained voluntary-aided school operate seamlessly as one institution, for the benefit of pupils, staff and parents, some of whom have children in both schools. For example, joint staff training and staff meetings take place. Pupils socialise together in the playground, have lunch together and use the same school entrance.  The school moved into its new premises for the start of term in September 2018, prior

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Main inspection findings

to the material change inspection taking place. Leaders said that this was so the move could take place in the summer holidays without disrupting pupils’ education.  School leaders have ensured that standards are likely to be met by the school if the DfE decides to approve implementation of the material change.

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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 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 compliance with the independent school standards relevant to the material change that the school has applied to make.

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School details

Email address office@al-noorprimary.co.uk

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 7–9 December 2016

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 4 to 11 Not applicable Not applicable

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 145 Not applicable Not applicable

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Gender of pupils Mixed Not applicable Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 145 Not applicable

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time pupils 0 Not applicable

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 10 Not applicable

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 1 Not applicable

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils paid for by a local authority with an education, health and care plan 0 Not applicable

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 10.34 Not applicable

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time teaching staff 8 Not applicable

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision Not applicable Not applicable

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Information about this school

 Al-Noor School is an independent day school in Redbridge. The school has a Muslim ethos. The school is registered to provide places to 200 pupils, boys and girls between the ages of three and 11. There are currently 145 pupils on roll between the ages of six and 11 and will reduce by a year group every year and close in 2023. No younger cohorts of pupils are being admitted to the independent school. The voluntary-aided school currently has pupils in Reception and Year 1.  The school occupies new purpose-built premises in Green Lane, Goodmayes. The premises belong to the new Al-Noor maintained voluntary-aided school. The independent school leases part of the building and occupies the classrooms on the second floor. Also, pupils and staff use the facilities on the ground floor such as the main hall, prayer hall and outside space. The two schools have the same headteacher and several trustees and governors. Several senior leaders work across both schools.

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Information about this school

 The school does not use any alternative provision.  The school’s last full standard inspection was in December 2016, when it was judged to be good.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was conducted by Ofsted at the request of the Department for Education to consider the school’s application for a material change to the location of the school’s premises and registered address to 619–629 Green Lane, Ilford, Essex, IG3 9RP.  The focus of the inspection was to consider whether the independent school standards in Parts 3, 5 and 8 were likely to be met if the proposed material changes were approved.  The inspector met with the headteacher and other senior leaders. The inspector met with governors and trustees representing the proprietor.  The inspector undertook a tour of the school with the headteacher.  The inspector spoke to pupils and staff.  The inspector scrutinised a wide range of documentation, including records relating to safeguarding, risk assessment and health and safety.

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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

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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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