Al-Ihsaan Community College

School progress monitoring inspection report

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Al-Ihsaan Community College 1 Kamloops Crescent, Leicester LE1 2HX

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraphs 3, 3(a), 3(c), 3(e), 3(g), 3(h)  The previous inspection found that pupils made uneven progress across the curriculum. Work in pupils‟ books indicated that pupils were not making sufficient progress in the development of their knowledge and learning was often superficial. The inspector found that teachers did not have secure subject knowledge and that this had a negative impact on their ability to support pupils‟ leaning.  Leaders have taken action to improve the quality of teaching. They have sought support from consultants who have worked with staff to help them to develop their skills. Staff have also observed teachers in other schools to learn from best practice. This is beginning to improve the quality of teaching across the school. Nevertheless, the quality of teaching remains inconsistent and in some cases is poor.  Pupils are making better progress than in the past, but they continue to make

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Main inspection findings

inconsistent progress across the curriculum and in different year groups. Progress in mathematics has improved in all year groups. Progress in English is less strong, particularly in Year 8.  The citizenship and the personal, social and health education (PSHE) curriculums ensure that pupils have plenty of opportunities to develop their understanding in these subjects. Pupils learn about a wide range of topics which help to prepare them for life in modern Britain.  Leaders have introduced a shared format for planning which is consistently used. However, this is does not always result in effective teaching. Teachers‟ explanations are not always clear, and sometimes confuse pupils. Time is not always used well. This limits the progress pupils make.  Not all teachers have secure subject knowledge. This was particularly evident in English. Some explanations were confusing and the inspector noted errors in the information the

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Main inspection findings

teacher was sharing with pupils.  Teachers provide challenging subject material. For example, work in Year 8 pupils‟ books shows that they have studied Romantic and First World War poetry. Teachers are beginning to consider how to meet individual pupils‟ needs in lessons. For example, they identify pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) in their planning.  Leaders have introduced a clear framework for assessing pupils‟ work. There are clear expectations of the timing and type of assessment teachers undertake of pupils‟ work. Leaders have provided training to staff and sought support from other schools and consultants to ensure that pupils‟ work is assessed accurately.  Leaders have prioritised improving the quality of teaching to support their work to improve pupils‟ behaviour. Staff have also received training in behaviour management. Pupils understand the school‟s expectations of their behaviour and have responded well.

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Main inspection findings

Leaders‟ tracking information indicates that pupils‟ behaviour has improved. Pupils say behaviour is good.  The school now meets the standards related to an assessment framework being in place and teachers‟ use of effective strategies for managing behaviour. However, the school does not meet the standards related to ensuring that pupils make good progress, that lessons are well planned and that teachers have good subject knowledge.  The school does not meet the requirements of the independent school standards in this part.

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7, 7(a), 7(b)  The previous inspection found that senior leaders were failing to comply with the guidance issued by the Secretary of State in relation to safeguarding pupils.  Leaders have sought advice and received training to enable them to fulfil their duties in relation to safeguarding effectively. They now ensure that safer recruitment practices are followed and all the necessary checks on staff‟s suitability to work with children have been completed.  Leaders have provided training to staff, including in understanding and recognising safeguarding risks pertinent to the local area.  The previous inspection identified weaknesses in the school‟s record-keeping of actions taken when welfare concerns have been raised. Leaders have introduced a new system for recording and monitoring safeguarding concerns. Records are detailed and help staff

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Main inspection findings

to provide support quickly for pupils when concerns arise. The designated safeguarding leader takes prompt action and follows up concerns, checking that agreed actions have been undertaken.  Leaders monitor pupils‟ attendance closely. They take appropriate action when pupils are absent to help to keep pupils safe.  Pupils feel safe in school. They know who they can speak with if they have concerns. The curriculum teaches pupils how to keep themselves safe.  The school‟s safeguarding policy is published on the school‟s website.  The school meets the requirements of the independent school standards in this part. Paragraph 9, 9(b)  The previous inspection found that teachers did not consistently manage pupils‟ behaviour well. Leaders‟ records indicated there were frequent occasions when pupils did not behave well. Furthermore, records did not reflect the actions that leaders took when responding to and managing pupils‟ behaviour.

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Main inspection findings

 Leaders have provided training to staff to help them manage pupils‟ behaviour. They have shared clear expectations of staff and pupils. A code of conduct is displayed in all classrooms. Pupils have responded positively to these raised expectations.  Leaders have introduced a new system of tracking and monitoring pupils‟ behaviour. They have also introduced systems to support pupils to reflect on their behaviour and to understand how to manage well their own behaviour. The number of incidents of poor behaviour has declined in all year groups. Pupils say behaviour is good.  The school meets the requirements of the independent school standards in this part.

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Main inspection findings

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 18, 18(2)(d), 18(2)(e), 18(3), 21(1), 21(3)(a), 21(3)(a)(v), 21(3)(a)(vi), 21(3)(a)(viii)  The last inspection found that leaders did not carry out all the necessary checks on staff‟s suitability to work with children. In addition, they did not understand how to undertake certain checks. The school‟s record of recruitment checks was inaccurately completed.  Following the last inspection, leaders took prompt action to ensure that all the necessary checks were complete. They commissioned support from consultants who carried out a review and provided training to leaders and governors.  Leaders now follow the guidance issued by the Secretary of State. They follow safer recruitment practices. All staff recruitment checks are complete. The school‟s single central record of recruitment checks is compliant.  The school meets the requirements of the independent school standards in this part.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34, 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b), 34(1)(c)  The last inspection found that in his capacity as the school‟s proprietor, the headteacher had not ensured that he and other senior leaders had a secure understanding of the independent school standards. He has since taken advice and guidance from other school leaders and consultants to ensure that he and other leaders understand the requirements.  Leaders have taken effective action to bring about improvements to many aspects of the school, including the quality of teaching. They are seeking advice and guidance to provide them with the skills and knowledge necessary to ensure that the standards are met. Despite these improvements, there remain unmet standards in Part 1.  The last inspection found that leaders had not taken effective action to ensure that they were actively promoting pupils‟ well-being.

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Main inspection findings

 The headteacher has prioritised pupils‟ well-being and safety. Staff have received training in safeguarding matters and the curriculum promotes pupils‟ personal development and well-being. For example, pupils learn how to keep themselves safe in a variety of situations. They learn about mental health issues and local safeguarding risks. Pupils are happy at school. They experience positive relationships with each other and with staff. They enjoy their work and activities, such as visits to the local park.  The school does not meet the requirements of the independent school standards in this part.

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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.

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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.

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 3–5 October 2017

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Information about this school

 The school is an independent Muslim day school for boys and girls aged 11 to 16. There have been no boys on roll to date.  The school is registered to provide full-time education for 80 pupils. It currently has 38 pupils on roll. The school is subject to restrictions on admissions and is currently restricted from admitting new pupils.  There are no pupils with an education, health and care plan. The proportion of pupils who speak English as an additional language is well above the national average.  The school does not make use of any off-site, alternative provision.  The school‟s headteacher is also the proprietor. The deputy headteacher took up his post in September 2018.  The school‟s last standard inspection took place on 3–5 October 2017. This inspection found that it did not meet all of the independent school standards. A follow-up additional inspection took place on 11–12 April 2018. This inspection found that the school did not

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Information about this school

meet all of the independent school standards which were not met at the previous inspection, and it no longer met some of the standards that were previously met. A further additional inspection took place on 4–5 February 2019. This inspection found that the school did not meet all of the standards which were previously unmet, and it no longer met some of the standards which were previously met.

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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 school‟s third monitoring inspection. The previous monitoring inspections took place on 11–12 April 2018 and 4–5 February 2019.  Inspectors visited nine lessons from all year groups. All teaching staff were observed.  Inspectors held meetings with senior leaders and spoke with members of staff.  Inspectors spoke with pupils informally, during lessons and at breaktime.  An inspector spoke with some parents and carers by telephone.  Inspectors examined a range of policies and documents, including those in relation to safeguarding, behaviour, the curriculum and attendance.  Inspectors looked at pupils‟ books in lessons and a large sample of books from different

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Information about this inspection

subjects and year groups.  The lead inspector checked the school‟s single central record and the systems for recruiting staff.  The inspection was unannounced.

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Inspection team

Deborah Mosley, lead inspector Her Majesty‟s Inspector

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The school does not meet the following independent school standards

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

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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: – 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(e) demonstrates good knowledge and understanding of the subject matter being taught.

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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: – 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.

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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: – 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(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; – 3(h) utilises effective strategies for managing behaviour and encouraging pupils to act responsibly.

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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: – 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.  9 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor promotes good behaviour amongst pupils by ensuring that: – 9(b) the policy is implemented effectively.

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

 18(2) The standard in this paragraph is met if: – 18(2)(d) the proprietor ensures that, where relevant to any such person, an enhanced criminal record check is made in respect of that person and an enhanced criminal record certificate is obtained before or as soon as practicable after that person‟s appointment; – 18(2)(e) in the case of any person for whom, by reason of that person living or having lived outside the United Kingdom, obtaining such a certificate is not sufficient to establish the person‟s suitability to work in a school, such further checks are made as the proprietor considers appropriate, having regard to any guidance issued by the Secretary of State; and  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

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

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)(v) an enhanced criminal record certificate was obtained in respect of S; – 21(3)(a)(vi) checks were made pursuant to paragraph 18(2)(d); – 21(3)(a)(viii) checks were made pursuant to paragraph 18(2)(e).

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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: – 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

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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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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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