Al-Zahra School

School pre-registration inspection report

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Al-Zahra School 134 Salusbury Road, London NW6 6PF

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided All paragraphs  The proposed curriculum policy and associated plans for what pupils are expected to learn are well considered. They describe the sequence in which leaders expect pupils to learn and make clear what is to be learned. They set out how teachers will be able to assess the progress of pupils across all the areas of learning required by the standards.  There are specific arrangements set out for pupils to receive impartial and wide- ranging careers guidance. The school intends to offer a selection of optional subjects for pupils to study to GCSE level in key stage 4, including psychology, French, business studies, history and geography.  Policies and plans for the curriculum show that leaders intend to ensure that pupils show respect for people who have protected characteristics defined in the Equality Act 2010.  Leaders have considered how they intend to monitor the quality of teaching in detail.

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Main inspection findings

In doing so, they demonstrate an awareness of the need to use a wide range of evidence to check the impact of teaching on learning over time, such as through regular scrutiny of pupils’ work.  Leaders also intend to provide regular information about the quality of teaching to representatives of the proprietor.  The range of resources and intended use of curriculum time is precisely described in both the curriculum policy and subject plans. The range of books on offer in the school library seen during the inspection indicates that leaders understand how to appeal to a broad range of pupils’ interests. The literature available reflects a diverse and balanced range of themes, beliefs and cultures.  Leaders have ensured that the standards in this part are likely to be met. Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils All paragraphs  The proprietor has ensured that leaders have considered how to promote pupils’

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Main inspection findings

spiritual, moral, social and cultural development creatively and thoroughly. Their plans demonstrate leaders’ ambitions and high expectations for how they expect pupils to build on prior learning. Examples of activities proposed across the curriculum show that pupils are likely to benefit from a wide range of visits, intended to help them sample and discover cultural experiences in art, theatre and literature, among others.  Leaders have also designed a detailed programme of regular workshops for pupils to help them deepen their understanding of yoga, first aid and issues such as the safe use of the internet.  Each subject plan includes examples of how lessons are intended to help pupils develop their spiritual, moral, social and cultural understanding. The expectations for this grow as pupils move through the school. For example, in religious education, by Year 11 it is expected that pupils will typically be ready to learn and express views

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Main inspection findings

about the ethical considerations connected with euthanasia and abortion.  Leaders have ensured that the standards in this part are likely to be met. Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils All paragraphs  The proposed safeguarding policy makes reference to the current statutory guidance. Records of training of staff who are to be responsible for leading and managing safeguarding arrangements show that this has been recent, thorough and included a suitable range of issues. It is intended that the ‘Prevent’ duty is made familiar to staff and pupils. There are numerous clear references to this in curriculum plans and the safeguarding policy.  The proposed policies related to health and safety, behaviour, first aid and risk assessment are all likely to meet the requirements of the standards. The proprietor has ensured that a fire risk assessment on the premises was completed in April 2019.  The proposed arrangements for checking and recording the fire safety of the premises

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Main inspection findings

are satisfactory.  Leaders have ensured that the standards in this part are likely to be met. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors All paragraphs  Leaders intend to employ existing staff in the school for which they are applying for registration. These checks are recorded in detail and in one place, covering all checks required by the standards.  The chair of the board of trustees, who represents the proprietor, had submitted all of the information required to the regulating authority in order for them to carry out their checks on him. However, the school had not received a response to this at the time of the inspection.  The school does not intend to routinely use supply or agency staff, but has created a record to set out checks on such staff if required in the future.  Leaders have ensured that the standards in this part are likely to be met. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

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Main inspection findings

All paragraphs  The proprietor intends to make a number of adaptations to the existing premises in order to ensure that the proposed school can function safely and effectively. None of the building work had been started at the time of the inspection. However, leaders outlined a timescale and method for seeking the necessary checks and approvals to fulfil their building proposals.  There is appropriate provision for medical accommodation, outdoor play and physical education. Proposed arrangements for toilets, drinking water, showering and changing are likely to meet the requirements of the standards. There is appropriate space, light and acoustic conditions for learning in the classrooms.  Some of the accommodation used to meet the standards in this part of the regulations is intended to be shared with Al Sadiq School. This includes the hall intended for physical education, a school library and the computer suite. Leaders plan

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Main inspection findings

to ensure that these facilities are timetabled so that pupils can use them regularly and effectively.  Leaders have ensured that the standards in this part are likely to be met. Part 6. Provision of information All paragraphs  The proprietor intends to use a website to provide the information required for parents, including the school’s suitable safeguarding policy. The proposed format and frequency of reporting progress of pupils to parents is suitable.  Leaders have ensured that the standards in this part are likely to be met. Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled All paragraphs  The complaints policy includes all the required elements necessary to comply with statutory requirements.  Leaders have ensured that the standards in this part are likely to be met. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools All paragraphs  The proprietor and leaders demonstrate a secure knowledge and understanding of the

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Main inspection findings

independent school standards. Their proposals and the coherent, authoritative way they could explain their plans to the inspector underline this.  There are appropriate proposals for ensuring that the proprietor is kept well informed about how leaders are ensuring that the standards are met if the school is registered.  Leaders have ensured that the standards in this part are likely to be met. Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  The proposals set out by the proprietor take account of how the premises, curriculum and information might be accessible to all.  The school is likely to comply with Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010.

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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

Email address info@al-sadiqal-zahraschools.co.uk

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Proposed school details

Date of previous standard inspection Not previously inspected

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Provider already operating

Number of pupils of compulsory school age 372 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 Total hours operating as a school per week 40

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Provider already operating

Total hours of teaching provided per week 25

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 3–16 8–16 8–16 Number of pupils on the school roll 420 210 210

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Gender of pupils Mixed Girls Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 372 210

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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 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 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 16 10

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Information about this proposed school

 The school is currently registered and in operation as Al-Sadiq and Al-Zahra Schools. This is an independent day school for boys and girls in the London borough of Brent. The school is registered for up to 376 pupils and has an Islamic ethos.  The proprietor submitted an application to the regulating authority in February 2019 to register Al-Zahra School separately. It is proposed that this school will offer education for girls only.  The proprietor intends to make adaptations to the premises such that the school can exist and operate separately from Al-Sadiq school. No other premises are intended to be used. A separate entrance will be used for the school which will be on Salusbury Road, NW6 6PF.  It is proposed that the school will admit up to 210 pupils, all of whom will attend full- time.

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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 headteacher and other senior leaders of the existing co-educational school at the setting. He also met with the chair of the trustees. During these meetings, proposals for changes to the premises, the curriculum and safeguarding were discussed.  The inspector conducted a tour of the premises with leaders, inspected documents related to safety and considered proposals for changes to the building.  The inspector also talked with leaders about resources to be used for learning, and scrutinised arrangements for assessing pupils’ learning. A range of policies were considered. The inspector looked at the arrangements for checking and recording the suitability of staff.

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Inspection team

Andrew Wright, 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

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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