Al Mumin Boys Secondary School

School pre-registration inspection report

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Al Mu’min Boys Secondary School Clifton Street, Bradford BD8 7DA

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraph 2(1), 2(1)(a), 2(1)(b), 2(1)(b)(i), 2(1)(b)(ii), 2(2)(a), 2(2)(b), 2(2)(d), 2(2)(d)(i), 2(2)(d)(ii), 2(2)(e), 2(2)(e)(i), 2(2)(e)(ii), 2(2)(e)(iii), 2(2)(h), 2(2)(i)  The school currently operates as Al Mu’min Primary and Secondary Schools under its existing registration as a co-educational independent school. Following the 2017 legal judgement regarding segregation by sex in mixed schools, the proprietor applied to register a single-sex boys’ school.  There is a curriculum policy in place that sets out the long-term aims of the school. For each subject there is a scheme of work that provides some detail of what will be covered. Samples of lesson plans show that these schemes are adapted to meet pupils’ needs and abilities.  The school has a programme in place for personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education. The majority of this programme is delivered from an Islamic

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Main inspection findings

perspective, with opportunities to weave in fundamental British values and information about life in modern Britain.  The careers lead has a suitable programme in place. Pupils will have careers lessons as part of PSHE education and citizenship lessons. Pupils have the opportunity to find out about numerous careers and to visit providers of post-16 education. Pupils will benefit from a range of external speakers, and an external careers adviser will have a one-to-one appointment with each pupil in Year 11. Leaders also intend to build in opportunities for work experience when pupils reach Year 10.  These standards are likely to be met. Paragraphs 3, 3(a), 3(b), 3(c), 3(d), 3(e), 3(f), 3(g), 3(h), 3(i), 3(j), 4  The teachers will be shared across both schools. In the most recent Ofsted inspection of Al Mu’min Primary and Secondary Schools, teaching was judged to be good.  Leaders have ensured that the resources necessary to teach the curriculum are in

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Main inspection findings

place for pupils and teachers to use.  In the new school, staff will continue with current practice. They will plan, teach and carry out assessment in the same way.  These standards are likely to be met. Paragraph 2(2), 2(2)(g)  The proprietor applied to open the school for boys aged 11 to 18 years. At the time of the pre-registration inspection, there was no post-16 curriculum prepared. During the inspection, leaders changed their minds to proposing opening the school for pupils aged 11 to 16 years.  These standards are unlikely to be met if the school were to operate any post-16 provision.

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Main inspection findings

Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils Paragraph 5, 5(a), 5(b), 5(b)(i), 5(b)(ii), 5(b)(iii), 5(b)(iv), 5(b)(v), 5(b)(vi), 5(b)(vii), 5(c), 5(d), 5(d)(i), 5(d)(ii), 5(d)(iii)  Leaders have a clear and shared vision that the school will prepare pupils to be strong Muslim role models who are fully prepared for life in modern Britain.  Leaders plan that, through PSHE education, citizenship, Islamic studies and across the curriculum, pupils will learn about the protected characteristics set out in the 2010 Equality Act, British values, how to keep themselves safe and how to accept responsibility for their behaviour and actions.  A visiting speaker policy is in place that details the checks to be made when an external speaker visits the school. This will make sure that pupils receive a balanced view of topics discussed.  These standards are likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7a  Leaders are knowledgeable about safeguarding and are clear about how they train staff and how they record and report concerns that they have about pupils. There is a culture of safeguarding in the existing school that would be continued in the new school. Leaders work closely with the ‘Prevent’ duty coordinators at Bradford local authority.  This standard is likely to be met. Paragraph 9, 9(a), 9(b), 9(c)  The proprietor has ensured that a behaviour policy is in place. Behavioural incidents will be recorded on an electronic system that is shared with parents and carers. Although this electronic system is not referenced in the policy, staff, pupils and parents are aware of this system.  These standards are likely to be met. Paragraphs 13, 14, 15  There is an appropriate first-aid policy in place that details how pupils will be assisted if there is a medical emergency. There is an effective system for recording when

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Main inspection findings

treatment has been administered or an accident has occurred.  There are sufficient staff to ensure that pupils are well supervised during breaktimes and lunchtimes.  The school will base the admissions and attendance registers on those already in operation at Al Mu’min Primary and Secondary Schools. These are compliant with legal requirements.  These standards are likely to be met. Paragraph 7, 7b  At the time of inspection, the safeguarding policy and the online safety policy were not fully up to date with the latest government guidance, for example ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ (2019). Policies intended to be used in the new school have not been thoroughly reviewed and fully updated.  These standards are unlikely to be met. Paragraph 10  The proprietor has ensured that there is an anti-bullying policy in place at the school. However, there has been no consideration of potential bullying that could occur across

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Main inspection findings

two different schools on the same site.  This standard is unlikely to be met. Paragraphs 11, 12  There is a health and safety policy that all staff are required to read. This policy sets out expectations and responsibilities. However, this pre-registration inspection found that the health and safety policy was not implemented fully. An electricity box was left unlocked and materials were stored inappropriately in the showers and the hall. These are two places that the proposed school will share with the existing school.  The proprietor has not assessed the fire risks associated with an increased number of pupils on the school site should the boys’ school be registered. For example, the current fire risk assessment, carried out in 2016, only considered 250 people on site.  These standards are unlikely to be met. Paragraph 16, 16(a), 16(b)  A risk assessment policy is in place but not all risks are assessed and not all risk

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Main inspection findings

assessments are implemented fully. For example, the premises risk assessment details a fire risk assessment being carried out every year but this has not been the case.  Leaders have not effectively risk-assessed having two schools on the same site. For example, there is no risk assessment in place for the suitability of sharing facilities such as the showers.  These standards are unlikely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff and proprietors Paragraphs 18(2), 18(2)(a), 18(2)(b), 18(2)(c), 18(2)(c)(i), 18(2)(c)(ii), 18(2)(c)(iii), 18(2)(c)(iv), 18(2)(d), 18(2)(e), 18(3), 21(1), 21(2), 21(3), 21(3)(a), 21(3)(a)(i), 21(3)(a)(ii), 21(3)(a)(iii), 21(3)(a)(iv), 21(3)(a)(v), 21(3)(a)(vi), 21(3)(a)(vii), 21(3)(a)(viii), 21(3)(b), 21(4)  The proprietor has ensured that all appropriate checks have been carried out on staff who will be working at the proposed school.  These checks are recorded appropriately on the single central register, including the date the checks were made and by whom.  These standards are likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 23(1)(a), 23(1)(b), 24(1), 24(1)(a), 24(1)(b), 24(2), 26, 27, 27(a), 27(b), 28(1), 28(1)(a), 28(1)(b), 28(1)(c), 28(1)(d), 28(2), 28(2)(a), 28(2)(b), 29(1), 29(1)(a), 29(1)(b)  There are sufficient toilets available for the proposed 150 pupils at the school. Suitable handwashing facilities are available and the temperature of the hot water does not pose a scalding risk.  There is a medical room available for the sole use of pupils in the proposed boys’ school that contains equipment for the medical examination and treatment of pupils. This is close to a toilet facility and only used as a medical room. The school does not intend to cater for pupils with complex medical needs.  The sound and lighting conditions in the classrooms are appropriate. There are blinds on windows for particularly sunny days.  Drinking water is available on the ground floor via a water cooler for pupils and is

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Main inspection findings

clearly labelled as drinking water.  There is sufficient outdoor space available for physical education (PE) and for pupils to socialise and play outside. This space will be shared with the school already operating on this site. Leaders say that there is a public park within walking distance that they may use.  These standards are likely to be met. Paragraphs 23(1), 23(1)(c), 25  At the time of the inspection, the showers were unsuitable. There was a leak that caused water to pool on the floor, the electricity box was left open and was covered in cobwebs and spiders, and thick plastic sheets were stored in the shower block. In addition, the shower block was not clean enough. During the inspection, the proprietor had the leaks fixed and a padlock was placed on the electricity box.  In the hall, there is an area that has been sectioned off with screens that contains cleaning equipment and equipment for the night classes that run after school. This is

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Main inspection findings

not appropriate storage of this equipment and it could cause harm to pupils, for example if knocked over.  These standards are unlikely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 6. Provision of information Paragraph 32(1), 32(1)(a), 32(1)(b), 32(1)(c), 32(1)(f), 32(1)(g), 32(1)(j), 32(2), 32(2)(a), 32(2)(b), 32(2)(b)(i), 32(2)(d), 32(3), 32(3)(a), 32(3)(b), 32(3)(c), 32(3)(d), 32(3)(e), 32(3)(f), 32(3)(g)  Leaders do not intend that the school will have a website. Therefore, all information as required by this part of the independent school standards will be made available to parents upon request. Policies are available from the school office and can also be shared with parents by email.  There is a prospectus that is currently for Al Mu’min Secondary School. Leaders intend to adapt this for Al Mu’min Boys Secondary School, although this has not happened in preparation for this pre-registration inspection. The prospectus contains information about the headteacher and proprietor and how they can be contacted.  These standards are likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled Paragraph 33, 33(a), 33(b), 33(c), 33(d), 33(e), 33(f), 33(g), 33(h), 33(i) 33(i)(i), 33(i)(ii), 33(j), 33(j)(i), 33(j)(ii), 33(k)  The proprietor has ensured that a written complaints policy is in place and available to parents upon request.  The complaints policy sets out how parents can complain and the timescales for the complaints process. The policy is compliant with the requirements of the independent school standards.  These standards are likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b), 34(1)(c)  Policies relating to the new school have not been thoroughly reviewed or sufficiently personalised to the proposed new school. For example, the fire evacuation policy has not been changed to reflect the staff and pupils who will be based in the proposed school.  This inspection found that some of the premises’ standards, such as the showers, had not been sufficiently well maintained since the previous inspection of Al Mu’min Primary and Secondary Schools. This means that the independent school standards have not been met consistently by leaders who will be leaders in the proposed new school.  Pupils’ welfare, for example when using the showers, has not been considered well enough. The showers are unsuitable because they are not clean enough.  The headteacher confirmed that he intends to teach boys and girls separately until the

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Main inspection findings

Department for Education (DfE) agrees to the opening of a separate boys’ school. He has informed the DfE of these intentions. Boys and girls are taught separately and may suffer detriment as a result of not having the opportunity to work with girls or boys if they choose to do so At Al Mu’min Primary and Secondary Schools. The headteacher intends to remain the sole headteacher of both of the schools.  These standards are unlikely to be met. Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010

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Main inspection findings

 There is an accessibility plan in place that was prepared for Al Mu’min Primary and Secondary Schools. Leaders have not personalised this plan to the section of the school that they intend the boys’ school to occupy. They have also not considered well enough how they will increase access for disabled pupils to the building. This is particularly important as the proprietor has included pupils with physical disabilities in his application to open the school.  This standard is unlikely to be met.

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Compliance with regulatory requirements

The school is unlikely to meet the requirements of the schedule to The Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014 (‘the independent school standards’) and associated requirements, as set out in the annex of this report.

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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

Annual fees (day pupils) £1,650 to £2,000

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Proposed school details

Email address sec@almumin.bradford.sch.uk

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Proposed school details

Date of previous standard inspection Not previously inspected

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 13–14 11–18 11–16 Number of pupils on the school roll 8 210 150

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recommendation

 At the time of the inspection, the proprietor did not have a curriculum ready for pupils aged 16–18 years. During discussions, leaders said that they would prefer to apply to open a school for boys aged 11–16 years.  The application form states that the proprietor wishes to open a school for 210 boys. During discussions, leaders felt an error had been made and reduced the number they wish to have on roll to 150.

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Gender of pupils Mixed Boys Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 191 150

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 0 Up to 15

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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 3 5

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Information about this proposed school

 The school is currently operating as Al Mu’min Primary and Secondary Schools under its existing registration as a co-educational independent school.  Al Mu’min Boys Secondary School will operate from the existing premises in Clifton Street, Bradford. The boys who will attend the school initially are already on the school roll for Al Mu’min Primary and Secondary Schools.  Al Mu’min Boys Secondary School will have areas of the school designated for its own use but will share areas, such as the science laboratory, hall, showers and playground, with the existing school.  The proprietor took the decision to create a single-sex boys’ school following the 2017 legal judgement regarding segregating in schools. However, it is intended that the same staff, policies and routines will be in place, in the same premises. This raises questions about whether segregation is still in force.  The school will cater for boys of Islamic faith between the ages of 11 and 16 years.

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Information about this proposed school

The school proposes to cater for a wide range of special educational needs.  Pupils will follow a curriculum that covers a range of subjects and will take GCSE examinations in key stage 4.

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Information about this inspection

 This pre-registration inspection was commissioned by the DfE in order to assess the school’s readiness to open. The inspection checked whether the school is likely to meet the independent school standards should it be registered.  This was the school’s first pre-registration inspection.  The inspector met with the headteacher, senior leaders and the proprietor. A tour of the premises took place.  Documents and policies, including the school’s safeguarding policy, were evaluated.

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Inspection team

Debbie Redshaw, lead inspector Her Majesty’s Inspector

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

 2(2) For the purposes of paragraph (2)(1)(a), the matters are- – 2(2)(g) where the school has pupils above compulsory school age, a programme of activities which is appropriate to their needs.

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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(b) such arrangements have regard to any guidance issued by the Secretary of State.  10 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that bullying at the school is prevented, in so far as reasonably practicable, by the drawing up and implementation of an effective anti-bullying strategy.  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[12].  16 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that- – 16(a) the welfare of pupils at the school is safeguarded and promoted by the drawing up and effective implementation of a written risk assessment policy; and

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

– 16(b) appropriate action is taken to reduce risks that are identified.

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Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

 23(1) Subject to subparagraph (2), the standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that- – 23(1)(c) suitable changing accommodation and showers are provided for pupils aged 11 years or over at the start of the school year who receive PE.  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.

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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 roles 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; and – 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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