Al Risalah Boys' School

School pre-registration inspection report

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Al-Risalah Boys School 145 Upper Tooting Road, London SW17 7TJ

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided All paragraphs  The current suitable arrangements for boys’ education at Al-Risalah Secondary School are likely to continue to be in place when the provision becomes a separate school for boys in September 2019.  Leaders intend to implement appropriate curriculum and assessment policies, which are likely to ensure coverage of all the required areas of learning for boys aged 11 to 16. Teaching plans are appropriately detailed and are likely to take accounts of boys’ varying interests, aptitudes and abilities. Pupils’ starting points in all areas of learning will continue to be identified when they join the school. Their progress will then be reviewed and reported on a termly basis and teachers will use this information to plan accordingly.  The planned curriculum for all pupils includes study of English, drama, mathematics, science, Arabic, history, geography, Islamic studies, art, computing, personal, social,

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Main inspection findings

health and economic (PSHE) education, computing and physical education (PE). Pupils in Years 10 and 11 will study for GCSEs in English language and literature, mathematics, the sciences, history, Arabic, computer science and religious education.  There are suitable arrangements for the promotion of British values and all forms of equality, including respect for people with protected characteristics, as identified in the Equality Act 2010. These are to be taught through the PSHE education programme and in assemblies.  The arrangements for careers education are likely to continue to be appropriate. There are well-established plans in place to provide pupils with the impartial information, advice and guidance they will need to make informed decisions about their futures. This provision includes, for example, careers fairs, visiting speakers and sixth-form visits.  The school is likely to continue to be suitably resourced. The same subject-specialist

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Main inspection findings

teachers will continue to teach at Al-Risalah Boys School. Suitable arrangements are in place to monitor the quality of their planning, teaching and assessment.  Leaders have ensured that the independent school standards in this part are likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils All paragraphs  The school’s plans for PSHE education outline a clear commitment to the promotion of fundamental British values and to ensuring that pupils are encouraged to show respect for all people with protected characteristics.  The school has an Islamic ethos. The planned programme for religious education ensures that pupils will continue to learn about a range of religions, cultures and beliefs from around the world. Pupils are likely to develop tolerance and appreciate the diversity of modern Britain.  Leaders will continue to offer all pupils in all year groups a ‘four trips per year guarantee’, which was agreed following recommendations from the current school’s active student council. These educational trips, themed assemblies and a calendar of events which celebrate diversity are all likely to contribute positively to pupils’

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Main inspection findings

spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.  The school’s staff code of conduct makes it clear that no member of staff may promote partisan views, and that balanced viewpoints must always be presented in the teaching of all subjects.  Leaders have ensured that the independent school standard in this part is likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils All paragraphs  Leaders are knowledgeable and aware of their safeguarding duties. The school’s child protection policy is suitable and reflects the latest statutory guidance, including ‘Keeping children safe in education’ (September 2018) and ‘Working together to safeguard children’ (July 2018). It is available online. The school’s proposed system for recording concerns, referrals and any actions taken is fit for purpose. Leaders’ commitment and ability to implement the ‘Prevent’ duty are likely to continue to be strong. Arrangements for staff induction and training are suitable. It is likely that staff will continue to be provided with the knowledge and skills they need to keep pupils as safe as possible.  The school’s proposed behaviour and anti-bullying policies are likely to continue to meet requirements. Incidents of serious misbehaviour and the sanctions imposed as a

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Main inspection findings

result are likely to continue to be suitably recorded.  Arrangements for the implementation of the first aid policy are likely to continue to meet requirements. There are many trained first aiders and plans for the recording of accidents and the provision of first aid are appropriate.  The school is likely to be compliant with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Leaders understand the importance of completing and logging all the required checks on electrical equipment, fire-safety equipment, emergency lighting and the alarm system. Evacuation drills will continue to be carried out termly.  The school’s health and safety and risk assessment policies are likely to meet the required aspects of health and safety in reducing identified risks. Appropriate risk assessments are in place, including for the premises and trips.  An appropriate number of staff will be deployed to ensure that there is a minimum

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Main inspection findings

ratio of one adult for every 25 pupils.  The admission and attendance registers are likely to meet requirements.  Leaders have ensured that the independent school standards in this part are likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors All paragraphs  The required vetting checks on all those involved with the school, including trustees, governors, leaders and staff, are likely to continue to be recorded accurately on a compliant single central register, in line with statutory requirements.  Leaders have ensured that the independent school standards in this part are likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools All paragraphs  The proposed school will continue to use the current premises which are secure, well maintained and safe.  The premises, formerly a cinema, have been converted and include eight classrooms, a science laboratory, a study area, library, sports hall and computer suite. The area of the premises dedicated to boys can comfortably accommodate 130 pupils.  There are suitable toilet, washing, shower and changing facilities.  The medical room for boys is suitably located near to a pupils’ toilet. It is likely to meet all requirements.  Drinking water supplies are readily available and suitably marked.  The acoustic features, sound insulation, regulated hot water supplies and internal and external lights are all suitable.  There is no outdoor space. However, appropriate arrangements are in place for pupils to use local sports fields for physical education and outdoor play.

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Main inspection findings

 The school’s proposed health and safety policy addresses all key areas required. It is likely to continue to be implemented fully.  Leaders have ensured that the independent school standards in this part are likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 6. Provision of information All paragraphs  All the required policies and information are appropriate and currently available in both hard copy and on the Al-Risalah Secondary School website. Leaders’ plans indicate that all required policies, including the child protection policy, will be made available on a new sub-website for the Al-Risalah Boys School, which is currently being developed.  The school’s termly report template for parents and carers identifies pupils’ progress and attainment in all the required areas of learning; it is therefore likely to continue to meet requirements.  Leaders have ensured that the independent school standard in this part is likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled All paragraphs  The school’s complaints policy and complaints log are likely to meet all the requirements. Leaders have ensured that they will keep separate records of complaints made for Al-Risalah Boys School from September 2019.  Leaders have ensured that the independent school standard in this part is likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools All paragraphs  Leaders are well organised, proactive and have paid good attention to detail in planning to separate their existing school into two single-sex schools.  All the independent school standards are likely to be met and pupils’ well-being is likely to be assured if Al-Risalah Boys School is registered as an independent school.

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Main inspection findings

Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  The school’s accessibility plan is likely to meet requirements.

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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.

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Proposed school details

This inspection was carried out under section 99 of the Education and Skills Act 2008, the purpose of which is to advise the Secretary of State for Education about the school’s likely compliance with the independent school standards that are required for registration as an independent school.

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Proposed school details

Type of school Islamic secondary day school

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Proposed school details

Annual fees (day pupils) £3,450 to £3,600

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Proposed school details

Email address admin@alrisalahschool.co.uk

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Proposed school details

Date of previous standard inspection 16–17 December 2015

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Provider already operating

Number of pupils of compulsory school age 217 Number of pupils of compulsory school age for whom a statement is maintained under section 324, or who is looked after by a local authority None

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Provider already operating

Total hours operating as a school per week 39

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Provider already operating

Total hours of teaching provided per week 25

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proposal

Inspector’s recommendation Age range of pupils 3–4 and 11–16 11 to 16 11 to 16 Number of pupils on the school roll 295 130 130

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Gender of pupils Mixed Boys Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 217 130

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time pupils 78 (in the Nursery) None

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities None None

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan None None

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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 None None

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 18 No change

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time teaching staff 4 No change

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision None No change

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Information about this proposed school

 Al-Risalah Boys School will continue to occupy the current premises of Al-Risalah Secondary School in the London Borough of Wandsworth. Leaders intend to change Al- Risalah Secondary School into a school for girls, and therefore operate two separate single-sex schools from the same premises.  The school intends to operate from September 2019.  The school’s proprietor will be Al-Risalah Education Trust. The school will be governed by a governing body and overseen by a director of education and an executive headteacher.  The proposed school does not intend to make use of any alternative provision.

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Information about this inspection

 This is the school’s first pre-registration inspection following the school’s application to separate Al-Risalah Secondary School into separate schools for boys and girls. The inspection was conducted with three days’ notice. It took place during the final day of Al-Risalah Secondary School’s full standard inspection.  The inspection was carried out under section 99 of the Education and Skills Act 2008, the purpose of which is to advise the Secretary of State for Education about the school’s likely compliance with the independent school standards that are required for registration as an independent school.  The inspector met with the chair of the proprietorial body, the chair of governors, the director of education and the headteacher. He also met with the lead administrator and a senior leader responsible for the curriculum and standards.  The inspector considered a wide range of evidence to check the likelihood of the

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Information about this inspection

school meeting all of the independent school standards. As examples, he toured the premises, reviewed key documents and policies and considered the school’s proposed curriculum.

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Inspection team

James Waite, 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

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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