Advance Education

School pre-registration inspection report

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Advance Education Unit 5, Unimix House, Abbey Road, Park Royal, London NW10 7TR

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided  Leaders, together with trustees, have created schemes of work which set out how they intend pupils to learn and make progress in all areas of learning required by the standards. However, the schemes for history and geography include imprecise information about the progression of subject-specific skills and the knowledge to be acquired.  The curriculum policy is very brief and refers mainly to children in the early years, which is irrelevant to the age range of pupils for which the proprietor is applying to register the school. Therefore, it is not likely to meet the requirements of the standard.  There is a policy for careers guidance. However, this refers mostly to pupils in Key Stage 4, which is not relevant to the age range for which the school is applying for registration. It does make brief mention of guidance for pupils in Key Stage 3. However, leaders have not demonstrated sufficient precision and clarity to convince

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Main inspection findings

the inspector that they are likely to meet the standard related to careers guidance.  Leaders have designed schemes of work and policies which demonstrate that they are aware of the need to promote tolerance and develop pupils’ knowledge of cultures and beliefs other than their own. For example, the schemes for art and religious education include well-considered opportunities to learn about African art and features of Christianity, Buddhism, Judaism and Sikhism.  Schemes of work and school policy documents demonstrate that pupils are likely to have the opportunity to make progress in their personal, social, health and economic education. Leaders have considered how they intend to promote British values and help pupils learn about institutions such as the judicial system.  The arrangements for monitoring the quality of teaching are clearly set out in the policy proposed for the school. The headteacher was able to explain how teaching

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Main inspection findings

would be monitored.  Leaders have not drawn up a systematic plan to demonstrate how they intend to provide the range of resources necessary for teachers to implement the proposed schemes of work effectively. Records of meetings of trustees provide little evidence of this. The chair of trustees was not available to explain the proprietor’s plans for obtaining curriculum resources. Leaders showed the inspector a range of text books intended for use and a room proposed as a science room. However, arrangements for purchase of other resources such as science equipment and reading materials are not set out precisely enough.  Leaders have not ensured that all of the standards in this part are likely to be met, as listed in the annex to this report.

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Main inspection findings

Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils  Leaders have considered provision for pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural education in their proposed curriculum plans and policies.  Leaders propose a code of conduct for staff which sets out clear expectations for promotion of pupils’ spiritual and moral development.  Leaders have ensured that the standard in this part is likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils  The safeguarding policy makes reference to current statutory guidance. It sets out how concerns are to be recorded and what to do about allegations against staff, including the headteacher.  The proprietor intends to appoint a designated safeguarding lead, who will also be working in the separately registered primary school. A deputy safeguarding lead has been identified. However, the proposed safeguarding policy is not clear enough about how this arrangement will provide sufficient capacity for it to be implemented effectively.  The behaviour policy sets out sanctions and rewards; it also makes provision for reporting and recording serious concerns about behaviour, including procedures for the exclusion of pupils.  The anti-bullying policy sets out how the school intends to help pupils learn about and stay safe from different types of bullying, including those related to protected

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Main inspection findings

characteristics. However, it refers to pupils in Key Stages 1 and 2 when the school is applying to admit older pupils.  The first-aid policy is likely to meet the requirements of the standards.  Leaders were initially uncertain about the entrance pupils will use to arrive at and leave the premises. Bolted double doors lead out to a part of the building shared by other users. The headteacher indicated that this exit is not likely to be used by pupils other than in an emergency. She also indicated that the school is not intending to use any parts of the premises beyond these doors. However, this exit is not currently set up as an emergency exit.  At the time of the inspection, the premises were not in an appropriate condition to ensure the safety of pupils. Leaders have not yet carried out a fire risk assessment of the premises. An alarm control panel was in a state of poor repair, and firefighting

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Main inspection findings

equipment was absent from rooms intended to be occupied by pupils. However, leaders were able to explain procedures for evacuation and how the arrangements would take account of the multiple occupancy of the proposed site.  Leaders have appropriate plans for the maintenance of an admissions register. The headteacher demonstrates a secure understanding of its importance in safeguarding pupils from becoming missing from education.  The headteacher explained leaders’ intention that pupils will visit a local community park open to the public for outdoor play and physical education. She told inspectors that the proprietor and leaders have considered the risks associated with this. However, no written risk assessment of the intended use has been created.  Leaders have not ensured that all of the standards in this part are likely to be met, as listed in the annex to this report.

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Main inspection findings

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors  The headteacher told inspectors that the proprietor has not yet formally appointed any staff to the proposed school. However, Leaders demonstrated sufficient skills and knowledge of the required checks.  Leaders have ensured that the standards in this part are likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools  The proprietor intends to construct one toilet with a washing facility as part of the development of the premises. This does not yet exist, though the inspector was able to see the room intended for this purpose. However, as the school intends to admit boys and girls, some pupils would need to use existing toilet facilities on the ground floor, which are part of the separately registered primary school. Similarly, the proprietor intends to rely on the existing primary school facilities for providing medical accommodation.  Leaders intend to install a shower and changing facility on the ground floor at the entrance to the stairwell leading up to classrooms. However, the area which leaders showed the inspector for this was only big enough for a small room to accommodate one pupil at a time. Additionally, the plans for this were not included with the documents submitted as part of their application to the regulating authority.

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Main inspection findings

 Leaders have not carried out sufficiently robust or extensive assessments of the local communal park intended for use for physical education and outdoor play.  Leaders have not ensured that all of the standards in this part are likely to be met, as listed in the annex to this report . Part 6. Provision of information  The proprietor proposes to use a website in order to provide the required information. Although the website does not yet exist, leaders demonstrated sufficient knowledge of what should be included.  Leaders have a suitable proposal for informing parents and carers about the progress of pupils and reporting to them annually.  Leaders have ensured that the standard in this part is likely to be met. Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled  The complaints policy provided by leaders covers all aspects of the process of responding to and recording complaints.  Leaders have ensured that the 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  The chair of the board of trustees was not available to meet the inspector on the day of the inspection. As a result, it was not possible to gauge the extent of knowledge and skills of the proprietor in ensuring that the standards would be met should the school be registered.  Leaders have not demonstrated that all the standards in other parts of the regulations are likely to be met. Therefore, the standard in this part is also unlikely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  The proprietor has ensured that an accessibility plan has been created for the part of the premises intended for use for the proposed school. It has suitable proposals for ensuring that information is accessible to parents and pupils. The school is therefore likely to meet the requirements of Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010.

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Compliance with regulatory requirements

The school is unlikely to meet the requirements of the schedule to The Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014 (‘the independent school standards’) and associated requirements, as set out in the annex of this report.

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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 independent school

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Proposed school details

Email address advance.education@hotmail.com

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Proposed school details

Date of previous standard inspection Not previously inspected

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n

Age range of pupils 11–14 None Number of pupils on the school roll 0 40 0

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Gender of pupils Mixed Mixed Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 0 40

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with 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 0 4

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 0 0

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Information about this proposed school

 At the time of the inspection, leaders indicated that the proposed school is not yet open. There were no pupils attending the setting on the day of the inspection.  The proprietor intends to use part of the first floor of a multi-storey building which is occupied by several other users. The proprietor already operates a primary school, which is separately registered, on the ground floor of this building.  The proprietor intends to provide full-time education for up to 40 pupils between the ages of 11 and 14 years. There are no proposals for use of additional premises. However, it is proposed that a local community park is used for outdoor play and physical education, should the school be registered.  The designated headteacher of the provision is also the headteacher of the separately registered primary school. She told inspectors that the proprietor intends that she will adopt the role of head of both schools, should the regulating authority agree to the

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Information about this inspection

 The regulating authority commissioned Ofsted to conduct this inspection as a result of an application for registration by the proprietor.  The inspection was conducted with two days’ notice.  The lead inspector met with the proposed headteacher of the setting. He also met with a member of the board of trustees and a teacher who the proprietor is likely to appoint as the designated leader for safeguarding. During these meetings, the proposed arrangements for assessing risks, providing information and monitoring the quality of teaching were discussed.  The inspector conducted a tour of the premises with leaders. Policies and other documents related to the premises were also scrutinised. These included documents related to safeguarding.  The inspector considered the proposed plans for the curriculum and looked at the resources which have already been purchased, such as textbooks.  The inspector also looked at records of meetings of the board of trustees, which

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Information about this inspection

included reference to the proposed school.

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Inspection team

Andrew Wright, lead inspector Her Majesty’s Inspector

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

 2(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if–

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

– 2(1)(a) the proprietor ensures that a written policy on the curriculum, supported by appropriate plans and schemes of work, which provides for the matters specified in sub-paragraph (2) is drawn up and implemented effectively; and

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

– 2(1)(b) the written policy, plans and schemes of work–

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

– 2(1)(b)(i) take into account the ages, aptitudes and needs of all pupils, including those pupils with an EHC plan; and

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

– 2(2)(e) for pupils receiving secondary education, access to accurate, up-to-date careers guidance that–

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

– 2(2)(e)(i) is presented in an impartial manner;

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

– 2(2)(e)(ii) enables them to make informed choices about a broad range of career options; and

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

– 2(2)(e)(iii) helps to encourage them to fulfil their potential.

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

 3 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that the teaching at the school–

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

– 3(f) utilises effectively classroom resources of a good quality, quantity and range.

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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.

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

 10 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that bullying at the school is prevented in so far as reasonably practicable, by the drawing up and implementation of an effective anti-bullying strategy.

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

 11 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that relevant health and safety laws are complied with by the drawing up and effective implementation of a written health and safety policy.

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

 12 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005[12].

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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 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

 23(1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2), the standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that–

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Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

– 23(1)(a) suitable toilet and washing facilities are provided for the sole use of pupils;

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Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

– 23(1)(b) separate toilet facilities for boys and girls aged 8 years or over are provided except where the toilet facility is provided in a room that can be secured from the inside and that is intended for use by one pupil at a time; and

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Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

– 23(1)(c) suitable changing accommodation and showers are provided for pupils aged 11 years or over at the start of the school year who receive physical education.

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Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

 24(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that suitable accommodation is provided in order to cater for the medical and therapy needs of pupils, including–

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Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

– 24(1)(a) accommodation for the medical examination and treatment of pupils;

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Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

– 24(1)(b) accommodation for the short term care of sick and injured pupils, which includes a washing facility and is near to a toilet facility; and

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Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

– 24(1)(c) where a school caters for pupils with complex needs, additional medical accommodation which caters for those needs.

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Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

 24(2) The accommodation provided under sub-paragraphs (1)(a) and (b) may be used for other purposes (apart from teaching) provided it is always readily available to be used for the purposes set out in sub-paragraphs (1)(a) and (b).

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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 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

 28(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that– – 28(1)(b) toilets and urinals have an adequate supply of cold water and washing facilities have an adequate supply of hot and cold water.

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Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

 29(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that suitable outdoor space is provided in order to enable–

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Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

– 29(1)(a) physical education to be provided to pupils in accordance with the school curriculum; and

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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. 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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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

You can also use Parent View to find out what other parents and carers think about schools in England. You can visit www.parentview.ofsted.gov.uk, or look for the link on the main Ofsted website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted .

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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