Darul Madinah

School pre-registration inspection report

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Darul Madinah Slough 50 Darvills Lane, Slough SL1 2PH

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraph 2  The school’s curriculum will comprise the areas of learning from the early years foundation stage framework and Islamic studies. The school’s curriculum policy clearly sets out the school’s aim to have ‘an Islamic ethos following British values’.  The curriculum policy and schemes of work clearly take account of the age and aptitude of children attending the school and how they will acquire speaking, listening, literacy and numeracy skills.  Personal, social and health education is at the heart of the proposed curriculum and is reinforced by activities in Islamic studies that promote appropriate manners and respect. The school’s equalities policy shows how all the protected characteristics will be respected in the school and gives staff clear advice about how to do this.  Curriculum policies and plans take effective account of the needs of any children with

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Main inspection findings

special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Paragraph 3, 4  The proprietor has been providing registered early years childcare on the same non- domestic premises since April 2019 for nursery-aged children. The proposed school provision will build on this with the same staff.  Examples of planning, assessments and children’s work seen during my visit indicated that teaching is likely to meet the required standards. The documentation seen indicated that those responsible for teaching had planned well and demonstrated a good knowledge of the subject matter being taught. Children’s work was interesting, appropriately challenging and assessed accurately. Staff have a secure understanding of the early years foundation stage requirements.  The main learning space is well organised and appropriately resourced. There are ample resources for outdoor learning as well.  Children will be assessed against the early years foundation stage, using an electronic

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Main inspection findings

system.  All the relevant standards in part 1 are likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils Paragraph 5  Children’s spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is likely to be well catered for. The school building has many reminders about good manners and posters to remind children to do the right thing.  The ethos of the school includes appropriate Islamic studies that will develop spiritual awareness. The proprietor is also clear that the school has a role to prepare children for life in modern Britain. A range of visitors from different public institutions are invited into the linked nursery and it is intended to do the same in the school.  Staff are given very clear guidance concerning how to talk to children about and encourage respect for the different protected characteristics in the Equality Act 2010.  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 Paragraph 7  The school’s safeguarding policy follows the exemplar material set by Slough local authority but has been adapted to meet the needs of the children. The policy refers to the latest statutory guidance and local procedures. The policy outlines the main types of abuse and risks to children, including peer-on-peer abuse.  The headteacher has completed training as a designated safeguarding lead, and all staff are required to complete online training in safeguarding and specific additional training in the ‘Prevent’ duty and on female genital mutilation.  The proprietor knows about the requirement to report any concerns about the headteacher or other staff to the local authority designated officer.  The directors understand the most prevalent risks that Reception-age children in the community may be exposed to. For example, although they were mindful to look out

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Main inspection findings

for any form of radicalisation, the directors were sure that children were more likely to be at risk of emotional or physical abuse or domestic violence.  The curriculum will be enhanced by opportunities to help children to learn how to keep themselves safe. This is likely to include visits from the police and fire service.  The standards in this paragraph are likely to be met. Paragraph 9, 10  The current nursery behaviour policy will be appropriately extended into the Reception class. Examples of behaviour tracking forms seen from the nursery show that the policy is likely to be implemented effectively.  A simple anti-bullying policy that is suitable for Reception children has been drawn up and is likely to reduce the already small likelihood of bullying taking place.  The standards in these paragraphs are likely to be met. Paragraph 11, 12  Daily checks of the premises and equipment are already an established part of the

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Main inspection findings

health and safety policy within the nursery provision and will extend to the school. The health and safety policy is suitable for this type of school.  A fire safety plan and evacuation policy have been drawn up by an external fire safety company. Fire extinguishers have been serviced regularly and logs are in place to record alarm tests and evacuation drills.  The standards in these paragraphs are likely to be met. Paragraph 13  There is a suitable first-aid policy in place. Some staff are already trained in paediatric first aid. There are systems to record the administration of first aid should it be required.  The standard in this paragraph is likely to be met Paragraph 14  Directors have thought carefully about staffing and will ensure that all necessary ratios are met to provide suitable supervision of children. Directors have a range of ‘bank’ staff available should any staff member be absent.

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Main inspection findings

 The standard in this paragraph is likely to be met. Paragraph 15  The school has an attendance register and admissions register that contain all the required information.  The standard in this paragraph is likely to be met. Paragraph 16  The risk assessment strategy and policy are included within the school’s health and safety policy. Daily risk assessments of the premises take place and the ‘supervision of pupils’ policy refers to risks that staff should consider.  Directors understand that the headteacher will need to draw up additional risk assessments for specific events, such as when children go on a school trip or outing.  The standards in this paragraph are likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraph 18, 20, 21  All necessary checks have been carried out on staff and directors. These include enhanced checks with the Disclosure and Barring Service and Section 128 checks for leaders and directors to check their suitability to operate a school.  There are checklists in each staff member’s file to ensure that all checks are completed before the member of staff begins work. This includes a declaration of medical fitness.  Directors have recorded all the required checks on a single central record that complies with the minimum requirements set out in the statutory guidance ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’. They plan to talk to the local authority to adopt their model of recording these checks.  All the relevant standards in this part are likely to be met. Paragraph 19  Directors do not intend to use supply staff from agencies. Therefore, the standards in

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Main inspection findings

this paragraph are not likely to be applicable.

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Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools All paragraphs  The school has a main learning room, which will be shared with the existing nursery children at certain times of the day. This is of a good size, well organised and well maintained. The linked outside area is suitable for learning, physical education and play and is furnished with artificial grass.  A current office will be used as a part-time classroom for the Reception children. Although there is no natural light in this room, it is well lit artificially. Acoustics are appropriate, and it will be equipped with suitable tables and chairs to allow groups of children to work. However, it is not large enough for 20 children, as requested by the proprietor, and will be better suited to a maximum of 12 Reception children using it part time.  Drinking water is always available in the main room and is clearly labelled.  Toilets, for use by children only, have separate cubicles and washing facilities. The

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Main inspection findings

water is not too hot.  There is outside lighting at the entrance to the school and in the car park.  The medical facilities are in the staffroom. There is a portable bed, first-aid kit and running water. There is a toilet close by.  All the standards in this part are likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 6. Provision of information Paragraph 32  During the pre-registration preparation and visit, the school’s website was undergoing maintenance. The directors know they are required to publish the safeguarding policy on this website.  Although the school’s website was not available, all relevant documentation was provided for the inspector and would be made available to parents and carers, as required by the independent school standards.  It is not intended for the local authority to place any children at the school; however, directors are aware of the requirement to contribute to any review of education, health and care plans for children with SEND.  All standards in this part are likely to be met. Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled Paragraph 33  The recently agreed complaints policy gives parents the opportunity to raise issues informally before making a formal complaint in writing to one of the directors.

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Main inspection findings

 Directors have added a final stage to the policy, in which a complaint would be heard by a panel that would include at least one member who is not connected with the school. Such a panel is likely to be chaired by whichever director was not involved with investigating the complaint originally. Parents would be welcome to be accompanied to such a panel hearing, and the outcomes would be shared and made available, in line with guidance about publication and confidentiality.  The standards in this part are likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34  The directors are well informed about and have a sound understanding of the independent school standards and their safeguarding responsibilities that will contribute towards children’s well-being.  Directors have demonstrated suitable leadership potential in the set-up and running of the childcare provision on the same premises. The school has a very clearly defined ethos that is understood by all involved.  External visitors are used appropriately to advise directors. Strong appraisal systems have been put in place to hold the headteacher and staff to account.  The standards in this part are likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  The school has an accessibility plan that is likely to comply with the above requirement. The school is all on one floor and is easily accessible.

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Main inspection findings

Statutory requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage  The curriculum plans outlined in Part 1 are likely to meet the learning and development aspects of the early years foundation stage framework.  Staff are well trained, including in paediatric first aid, and have relevant childcare qualifications. Supervision ratios are in line with guidance. The welfare requirements of the early years foundation stage are likely to be met.

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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

Date of previous standard inspection Not previously inspected

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recommendation

Age range of pupils N/A 5-6 4-5 Number of pupils on the school roll N/A 20 12

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recommendation

Reason for inspector’s recommendations  The proprietor proposes to open a school with a Reception class to complement the registered childcare they run on the same non-domestic premises. Reception classes are for children aged four and five.  The school will share most spaces with the childcare provision on the same site. The new classroom for the use of Reception children at certain times of the day is not appropriate for more than 12 children.

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Gender of pupils N/A Mixed Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age N/A 20

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities N/A TBC

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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 N/A 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 N/A 0

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff N/A 2

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time teaching staff N/A 0

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision N/A 2

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Information about this proposed school

 The school is proposed to be co-located with the registered childcare on non-domestic premises with the same name. The childcare provision is already operating and has the same proprietor.  The school is located in the rear part of the community centre shared with the Pakistan Welfare Association in Slough, Berkshire. The school and childcare provision will share a separate entrance to the rest of the building.  The school will have an Islamic religious character.  The school will be for Reception-aged children only and will be for boys and girls.

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Information about this inspection

 This was the first pre-registration inspection commissioned by the Department for Education.  Her Majesty’s Inspector met with two directors who represent the proprietor. The headteacher was not in the school, as the inspection took place during the summer holidays.  The inspector toured the proposed premises and discussed plans to convert an existing office into additional teaching space.  The inspector scrutinised a wide range of documentation relating to the independent school standards.

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Inspection team

Lee Selby, 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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