Leicester International School

School progress monitoring inspection report

p.1

Leicester International School 1 Wood Hill, Leicester LE5 3JB

p.1

Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraph 3, 3(a), 3(c), 3(d), 3(e), 3(g)  The previous inspection found that teachers were not planning learning well enough. They did not develop pupils’ knowledge and skills well enough. Teachers did not have high enough expectations of pupils’ work and set work that was too easy for some pupils. Not all teachers showed good knowledge of their subjects. The teaching of mathematics, in particular, was weak.  The school has not implemented the planned actions to improve the quality of teaching. There are ongoing weaknesses in this area of the school’s work.  Learning is poorly planned. It is not always clear why pupils are learning what they are learning, how this follows from their previous learning or addresses the gaps in their understanding.  Teachers’ instructions are sometimes confusing. Pupils do not always understand what they are supposed to do and teachers do not tackle their misconceptions effectively. For

p.1

Main inspection findings

example, in the Year 3 and 4 class pupils were learning about how to structure an argument. However, the purpose of the learning was lost, as pupils had not fully understood the task.  In some classes, standards are too low. Some pupils are working below the standards expected for their age and are not set work that will enable them to achieve these standards. In English, Years 5 and 6 pupils do not routinely structure their writing well. They do not use their knowledge of sentence structure to develop their ideas well enough.  Changes to the teaching staff have left some pupils with significant gaps in their knowledge and understanding. For example, in the Year 1 and 2 class pupils were not able to use their phonic knowledge to decode unfamiliar words. They do not recognise the different sounds that groups of letters can make or blend sounds together well. These pupils have made poor progress in reading, writing and mathematics over the

p.1

Main inspection findings

course of this year. However, it is evident that recent changes to the teaching staff have significantly raised expectations for these pupils.  Some pupils present their work poorly. Teachers do not routinely insist on high standards of presentation or ensure that pupils set their work out correctly. In mathematics, this is leading to work that is inaccurate.  The teaching of mathematics has not improved since the previous inspection. Leaders arranged for training in the teaching of mathematics and, following this training, some improvements were noted. Teachers put in place strategies to ensure that pupils had more opportunities to practise using mathematics in real-life situations. However, these improvements were not sustained. The work that some pupils complete in mathematics is below that expected for their age. For example, pupils in the Year 3 and 4 class have spent time writing out multiplication tables that they have already mastered.

p.1

Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7, 7(a), 7(b), 11, 12, 13  The previous inspection found the standards in this part to be met. However, this inspection found failings in the school’s work to promote the welfare, health and safety of pupils. The school’s safeguarding policy is in keeping with the latest government guidance and is available on the school’s website. However, it is not understood well enough by staff, or followed closely.  Not all staff have been trained in the school’s safeguarding procedures. The training that staff have received did not cover the latest government guidance.  The school has appropriate policies in place to promote pupils’ welfare, health and safety. However, leaders and staff do not follow the policies closely enough.  The school’s policy for health and safety details the checks that leaders should make on this aspect of its work. The inspection found that leaders do not follow their own

p.2

Main inspection findings

guidance and are not sufficiently alert to health and safety hazards. For example, the policy states that leaders will check the outdoor area for rubbish. The inspection found that the outdoor area contained debris and litter.  Leaders do not carry out their checks on first-aid equipment frequently. Some out-of- date items were found in the medicine cabinet.  Leaders have used an external company to check the fire alarm system and the fire extinguishers. However, some aspects of fire safety have been overlooked. During the inspection, some fire doors were propped open, one was blocked with chairs and another did not close properly. Paragraph 15  A high proportion of pupils have left the school during this academic year. Leaders have not checked that these pupils have registered at a new school or made reasonable enquiries to establish their whereabouts. Leaders have not routinely followed the government guidance or the school’s policy before deleting pupils from the school’s

p.2

Main inspection findings

register. They have not always informed the local authority about pupils who have left the school. For example, the local authority did not know about pupils who had left to be educated at home or who had been excluded. In some cases there was a delay of several weeks before the school informed the local authority about pupils who had left. Leaders do not probe the reasons why pupils leave the school or record in sufficient detail the communication they have had from parents and carers. The lack of oversight of this area puts pupils unnecessarily at risk.

p.2

Main inspection findings

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 18(2), 18(2)(c), 18(2)(c)(iv), 18(3) 21(1), 21(3), 21(3)(a), 21(3)(a)(iv)  The previous inspection found the standards in this part to be met in full.  Leaders have not carried out all the necessary checks on staff who have joined the school since the previous inspection. They have not checked that staff have the relevant qualifications.  The single central record does not record that the checks were made.  All other checks are in place and recorded on the single central record.

p.3

Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraph 25  The previous inspection found that the proprietor had not ensured that the school site was secure. Not all the locks on the entrances were secure and the grass play area was not safe to play on.  The entrance doors now have secure locks fitted. The grass play area has been cordoned off so that pupils are not able to play on it.  However, other health and safety failings were noted during this inspection.  Leaders do not follow closely all of the school’s policies relating to health and safety. Their checks are not frequent or careful enough. A bottle of bleach was found in a classroom that is accessible to pupils. Some parts of the outdoor area contained debris and disused items. Pupils told the inspector that some areas of the school need tidying up, and that they sometimes trip over items left on the floor.  The standard remains unmet.

p.3

Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34, 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b), 34(1)(c)  The previous inspection found that leaders had not improved the quality of leadership effectively. This remains the case.  Leaders are not demonstrating the capacity to ensure that all of the independent school standards are met consistently. The standards have not been met in full at any inspection since 2015.  Following the inspection leaders drew up an action plan that aimed to remedy the weaknesses in teaching. An external consultant delivered training to staff on how to plan learning, and on teaching mathematics.  Leaders had planned to follow up this training with bespoke development plans for all teachers and with ongoing monitoring of the quality of teaching, learning and assessment to ensure that improvements were sustained. Following the decision to close the school, leaders have not implemented all of the planned actions to improve teaching.

p.3

Main inspection findings

 The headteacher in post at the time of the previous inspection left the school at the start of the autumn term. The proprietor is also the principal and has too many responsibilities to be able to carry out all of them effectively.  There are significant gaps in the school’s work to promote the welfare, health and safety of pupils. These gaps leave pupils at risk.

p.4

Compliance with regulatory requirements

The school does not meet 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, as set out in the annex of this report. 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.

p.5

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.

p.6

School details

Email address nizam.hussein@lisch.org.uk

p.6

School details

Date of previous standard inspection 4–6 July 2017

p.6

Information about this school

 Leicester International School is an independent Islamic school.  The school currently provides education for pupils aged five to 11 years but will close in June 2019.  The headteacher who was in post at the previous monitoring inspection has now left the school.  The principal is also the proprietor. There are no other leaders in the school. The school does not have a governing body.  There are no pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

p.6

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 second monitoring inspection following the school’s standard inspection on 4 to 6 July 2017. A previous monitoring inspection took place on 16 May 2018. This inspection found that the school was not meeting all of the independent school standards. Following this inspection, the Department for Education required the school to produce a statutory action plan. Ofsted evaluated this plan on 19 December 2018 and deemed it acceptable.  The inspection was conducted without notice.  The inspector met with the principal, who is also the proprietor and the designated safeguarding lead. The inspector observed learning in all three classes and looked at a

p.7

Information about this inspection

sample of pupils’ work in English, mathematics, science and geography. The inspector looked at documentation relating to safeguarding and toured the school site. She spoke with a group of pupils from different classes and with a representative from the local authority.

p.7

Inspection team

Deirdre Duignan, lead inspector Her Majesty’s Inspector

p.7

The school does not meet the following independent school standards

Standards that were not met at the previous inspection and remain un-met at this inspection

p.8

Part 1. Quality of education provided

 3 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that the teaching at the school– – 3(a) enables pupils to acquire new knowledge and make good progress according to their ability so that they increase their understanding and develop their skills in the subjects taught – 3(c) involves well planned lessons and effective teaching methods, activities and management of class time – 3(d) shows a good understanding of the aptitudes, needs and prior attainments of the pupils, and ensures that these are taken into account in the planning of lessons – 3(e) demonstrates good knowledge and understanding of the subject matter being taught – 3(g) demonstrates that a framework is in place to assess pupils’ work regularly and thoroughly and use information from that assessment to plan teaching so that pupils can progress.

p.8

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.

p.8

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– – 34(1)(a) demonstrate good skills and knowledge appropriate to their role so that the independent school standards are met consistently – 34(1)(b) fulfil their responsibilities effectively so that the independent school standards are met consistently.

p.8

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

Standards that were met at the previous inspection, but are now judged to not be met at this inspection

p.8

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

 7 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that– – 7(a) arrangements are made to safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils at the school; and – 7(b) such arrangements have regard to any guidance issued by the Secretary of State.  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.  12 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.  13 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that first aid is administered in a timely and competent manner by the drawing up and effective implementation of a written first aid policy.  15 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that an admission and attendance register is maintained in accordance with the Education (Pupil Registration)

p.9

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors

 18(2) The standard in this paragraph is met if– – 18(2)(c) the proprietor carries out appropriate checks to confirm in respect of each such person– – 18(2)(c)(iv) where appropriate, the person’s qualifications  18(3) The checks referred to in sub-paragraphs (2)(c) and (except where sub-paragraph (4) applies) (2)(e) must be completed before a person’s appointment.  21(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if 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.  21(3) The information referred to in this sub-paragraph is– – 21(3)(a) in relation to each member of staff ("S") appointed on or after 1st May 2007, whether– – 21(3)(a)(iv) checks were made to ensure, where appropriate, that S had the relevant qualifications.

p.9

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– – 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 .

p.10

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.

p.11

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 visitwww.parentview.ofsted.gov.uk, or look for the link on the main Ofsted website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted .

p.11

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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.

p.11

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open- government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.11

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.11

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk

p.11