Al-Khair School

School material change inspection report

p.1

Al-Khair School 109–117 Cherry Orchard Road, Croydon CR0 6BE

p.1

Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided All paragraphs  Leaders have developed appropriate curriculum and assessment policies, programmes of study and teaching plans, which consider the needs of boys aged 11 to 16. The curriculum covers all the required areas of learning. Planning takes account of pupils’ different ages, abilities and interests, and includes opportunities for pupils to achieve a wide range of GCSE qualifications.  There are suitable arrangements for British values and information about all the protected characteristics (as identified in the Equality Act 2010) to be taught across the curriculum, as well as through the weekly personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education programme.  The school is likely to continue to be suitably resourced and staffed.  The arrangements for careers education are likely to continue to be appropriate. There are well-considered plans in place to continue to provide pupils with the

p.1

Main inspection findings

impartial information, advice and guidance they need to make informed decisions about their futures.  Suitable arrangements are in place to monitor the consistency and quality of education provided.  Leaders have ensured that the independent school standards in this part are likely to be met if Al-Khair School becomes Al-Khair Boys’ School.

p.1

Main inspection findings

Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils All paragraphs  The school’s PSHE plans and equality policy outline a clear commitment to the promotion of British values and to ensuring that pupils are encouraged to show respect for all groups of people with protected characteristics.  The school has an Islamic ethos and welcomes pupils of all faiths. The planned programme for religious education ensures that pupils learn about a range of religions, cultures and beliefs from around the world. Pupils are likely to develop tolerance and appreciate the diversity of British society.  The school’s staff handbook and code of conduct make 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 if Al-Khair School becomes Al-Khair Boys’ School.

p.1

Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7, 7(a) and 7(b)  Leaders have taken effective action to ensure that the independent school standards judged as unmet in January 2019 are now met. The safer recruitment process, checks on agency staff and the vetting process for visiting speakers are all now compliant with statutory guidance.  The designated safeguarding leader and his deputies have completed an appropriately enhanced level of training. Leaders are knowledgeable and aware of their duties. The school’s system for recording concerns, referrals and any actions taken is fit for purpose. Arrangements for staff induction, training and regular updates are likely to ensure that staff will continue to be provided with the knowledge and skills they need to safeguard pupils.  The school’s child protection policy is appropriate. It is supported by a ‘Prevent’ policy. Both reflect the most recent statutory guidance, including ‘Keeping children safe in

p.2

Main inspection findings

education’ (September 2018) and ‘Working together to safeguard children’ (July 2018). Policies are currently available in hard copy and will be available online when the school’s new website is launched. Paragraphs 11, 12, 14, 16, 16(a) and 16(b)  The school’s health and safety and risk assessment policies are likely to continue to meet the required aspects of health and safety in reducing identified risks. Appropriate risk assessments are in place, including for the premises.  The school is likely to continue to be compliant with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Appropriate actions following an external fire risk assessment undertaken in November 2018 have been taken. 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 are carried out termly.  An appropriate number of staff is likely to be deployed to ensure there is a ratio of at

p.2

Main inspection findings

least one adult for every 20 pupils.  Leaders have ensured that the independent school standards in this part are likely to be met if Al-Khair School becomes Al-Khair Boys’ School. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors All paragraphs  Leaders have a clear understanding of safer recruitment. They also understand the importance of completing all the required checks on new staff before they work with pupils. All the required vetting checks, including for the proprietor, employees, agency staff and volunteers, are recorded accurately on a single central register.  Leaders have ensured that the independent school standards in this part are likely to be met if Al-Khair School becomes Al-Khair Boys’ School.

p.2

Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools All paragraphs  The premises include classrooms, a library, an outdoor play area and a large indoor hall. They are secure, well maintained and clean.  There are suitable toilet, washing, shower and changing facilities.  The medical room is suitably resourced and located near a pupils’ toilet. The facility is likely to continue to meet all requirements.  A chilled drinking water supply is provided at suitably labelled fountains.  The acoustic features, sound insulation, regulated hot water supplies and internal and external lights are all suitable.  The school’s proposed health and safety policy addresses all key areas required. There is strong evidence that the policy is likely to continue to be well implemented.  Leaders have ensured that the independent school standards in this part are likely to be met if Al-Khair School becomes Al-Khair Boys’ School for up to 100 pupils.

p.3

Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools All paragraphs  Leaders have taken robust action in response to the January 2019 inspection, and have paid good attention to detail in planning to separate their school into three schools.  All the independent school standards checked are likely to be met and pupils’ well- being is likely to be assured if Al-Khair School becomes Al-Khair Boys’ School for up to 100 pupils aged 11 to 16.

p.3

Main inspection findings

 The school’s accessibility plan is likely to continue to meet requirements.

p.3

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 that are relevant to the material change.

p.4

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

p.5

School details

Type of school Islamic secondary day school

p.5

School details

Email address secondary@alkhairschool.org.uk

p.5

School details

Date of previous standard inspection 29–31 January 2019

p.5

recommendation

Age range of pupils 4 to 16 11 to 16 11 to 16

p.5

recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 399 100 100

p.5

School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 361 100

p.6

School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 0 No change

p.6

School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 0 No change

p.6

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 No change

p.6

School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 40 16

p.6

School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 9 2

p.6

Information about this school

 Al-Khair School is currently a mixed school for pupils aged 4 to 16 and is located across two sites, primary and secondary, in the London Borough of Croydon.  Following the school’s most recent full standard inspection in January 2019, the school has applied to become three schools: Al-Khair Boys’ School, Al-Khair Girls’ School and Al-Khair Preparatory School. Leaders plan to operate as three separate schools from September 2019.  The school does not have a website, as a new one catering for three separate schools is currently being designed.  The individual proprietor of the current school will be the same for all three schools if registration is granted. The school does not currently have a governing body, but is planning to introduce one from September 2019.  The school makes no use of alternative provision.

p.7

Information about this inspection

 This material change inspection was conducted with two days of notice.  The inspection was conducted at the same time as two pre-registration inspections, following the school’s application to become three separate schools: Al-Khair Boys’ School, Al-Khair Girls’ School, and Al-Khair Preparatory School.  This inspection sought to advise the Secretary of State for Education about the school’s likely compliance with the independent school standards in Parts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 8 relevant to changing the school to a boys’ school for up to 100 pupils aged 11 to 16.  The inspector considered a wide range of evidence, toured the premises, met with all senior leaders including the proprietor, and met with pupils.  The inspector considered the 30 recent responses to Ofsted’s online survey, Parent View.

p.8

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 .

p.8

Inspection team

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.9

Inspection team

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 .

p.9

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.

p.9

Inspection team

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.9

Inspection team

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

p.9

Inspection team

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

p.9