Al-Furqan Community College (Boys)

School progress monitoring inspection report

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Al-Furqan Community College (Boys) 1021 Warwick Road, Solihull B91 3HG

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraphs 2(1), 2(1)(a), 2(1)(b), 2(1)(b)(i)  These standards were met during the compliance check in 2017. Inspectors looked at these standards because the school has applied to make a material change to its registration.  The proprietor has a plan for the curriculum. It is basic, and does not consider pupils’ needs, including the needs of those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). A small number of pupils have education, health and care (EHC) plans. Leaders have considered the subjects that they will study, but they have not ensured that the schemes of work for each subject have been adapted appropriately.  Leaders have not ensured that these standards are met. Therefore, they are unlikely to be met by the school if the Department for Education (DfE) decides to approve implementation of the material change. Paragraph 2(1)(b)(ii)  This standard was met during the compliance check in 2017. Inspectors looked at this

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Main inspection findings

standard because the school has applied to make a material change to its registration.  Although the schemes of work do not have much detail in them, leaders do intend to teach pupils about British values. For example, there are plans to teach pupils about democracy through weekly personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education lessons.  Leaders have ensured that the school continues to meet this standard. Paragraphs 2(2), 2(2)(a)  These standards were met during the compliance check in 2017.  Leaders have created a timetable that includes weekly physical education (PE) lessons. But, because there were no pupils in school to talk to, or lessons to visit, it is not possible to say whether the provision is now suitable. Therefore, there is insufficient evidence to say whether this standard is now met. Paragraphs 2(2)(e), 2(2)(e)(i), 2(2)(e)(ii), 2(2)(e)(iii)  These standards were met during the compliance check in 2017.

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Main inspection findings

 Leaders have reviewed the PSHE curriculum and updated the school’s careers policy. However, because it was not possible to speak to pupils or visit lessons during the inspection, it is not possible to determine whether the policy, or schemes of work, are effectively implemented. There is insufficient evidence to say whether these standards are now met. Paragraphs 2(2)(b), 2(2)(c), 2(2)(d), 2(2)(d)(i), 2(2)(d)(ii), 2(2)(h), 2(2)(i), 3(b), 3(c), 3(d), 3(e), 3(g), 3(h), 3(i), 3(j)  These standards were met during the compliance check in 2017. Inspectors looked at these standards because the school has applied to make a material change to its registration.  During this inspection we were unable to speak to teachers or pupils, and it was not possible to visit lessons or review pupils’ work.  There is insufficient evidence to say whether these standards relating to the quality of education continue to be met, or whether it is likely that these standards would be met if

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Main inspection findings

the DfE decides to approve implementation of the material change. Paragraphs 3, 3(a), 3(f)  These standards were not met during the previous monitoring inspection on 3 May 2018. The monitoring inspection found that teaching did not enable pupils to acquire new knowledge and skills in all subject areas and to make good progress according to their needs and ability.  No pupils were on site during the inspection and there were no pupils’ workbooks available. In addition, the classrooms visited did not have examples of pupils’ work displayed. Resources seen in classrooms are of reasonable quality and appropriate to the courses of study being followed by pupils.  Schemes of work, for subjects, relate to the academic year 2018. Plans for the current year are contained in an overall curriculum plan, which sets out the broad areas for study.  There is insufficient evidence to say whether these standards would be met if the DfE

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Main inspection findings

decides to approve implementation of the material change. Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils Paragraphs 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)  These standards were met during the compliance check in 2017. Inspectors looked at these standards because the school has applied to make a material change to its registration.  During this inspection we were unable to speak to teachers or pupils, and it was not possible to visit lessons or look at pupils’ work. Therefore, it is not possible to say whether the standards in this part continue to be met, or whether it is likely that these standards would be met if the DfE decides to approve implementation of the material change. Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7, 7(a), 7(b)  These standards were not met at the time of the previous monitoring inspection on 3

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Main inspection findings

May 2018. The previous monitoring inspection found that the safeguarding policy provided clear guidance for staff on the identification of abuse and was linked with several other policies including anti-bullying, peer-on-peer abuse, female genital mutilation, allegations against staff, sexting and e-safety. However, it was not fully compliant with statutory guidance. For example, the policy did not provide suitable arrangements to safeguard pupils as it failed to ensure that all staff had read documentation related to ‘Keeping children safe in education’.  In May 2018, safeguarding guidance displayed around the school was out of date and pupils were unclear about who was the designated safeguarding lead. Fire alarm systems were not fit for purpose because they were inaudible in some parts of the school.  Leaders have updated the safeguarding policy and it now includes all the information that it should.

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Main inspection findings

 No actions have been taken to address the inaudibility of the fire alarms, particularly in the outside buildings. In addition, the school does not accurately record the details of pupil admissions and attendance registers do not meet requirements. As a result, the school does not ensure the safeguarding and welfare of pupils.  This standard remains unmet. Paragraph 10  This standard was not met during the previous monitoring inspection on 3 May 2018. The previous monitoring inspection found that the school had a suitable anti-bullying policy. Incidents of bullying and the actions taken in response were documented. However, the records lacked contextual detail and did not follow up concerns raised by pupils.  The school’s current anti-bullying policy is up to date and relevant. It identifies several forms of bullying and provides guidance for staff in their response to issues. It was not possible to speak with pupils or staff about the implementation of the policy.

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Main inspection findings

 The most recent records of bullying incidents scrutinised relate to 2018. They do not include information about the school’s response or any actions taken. There are no records of incidents for the current school year. The proprietor is not ensuring that bullying is effectively prevented.  The standard remains unmet. Paragraph 12  This standard was not met during the previous monitoring inspection on 3 May 2018. At the time of the previous inspection fire alarm systems were not suitable for purpose because alarms were inaudible in some parts of the school. The leadership of the school had not trained staff or engaged an external expert to adequately assess fire risks.  Fire-fighting equipment was not regularly checked, and records of checks were incomplete.  An external company has provided an assessment of fire risks and staff have undertaken training. While checks of equipment have been undertaken and recorded it is evident

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Main inspection findings

that electrical safety checks of equipment have not been undertaken in the last 12 months. The most recent recorded checks were undertaken in April 2018.  No progress has been made to improve the audibility of fire alarms, particularly in the outside buildings. Occupants of the buildings do not have the opportunity to raise an alarm.  This standard remains unmet. Paragraph 14  This standard was met during the compliance check in 2017. Inspectors looked at this standard because the school has applied to make a material change to its registration.  During this inspection we were unable to speak to teachers or pupils, or observe pupils during breaktimes and lunchtimes. Because of this, there is not enough evidence to say whether pupils are properly supervised during the school day, or whether the school is likely to meet this standard if the DfE decides to approve implementation of the material change.

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Main inspection findings

Paragraph 15  This standard was met during the compliance check in 2017.  However, leaders do not keep accurate attendance registers. They are not always completed correctly. Inspectors noted some pupils with missing marks and sometimes registers are not taken at all. This is sloppy practice and presents a significant health and safety risk.  Leaders have not ensured that this standard is met. It is unlikely, therefore, that the standard will be met if the DfE decides to approve implementation of the material change. Paragraphs 16, 16(a), 16(b)  This standard was not met during the previous monitoring inspection on 3 May 2018. The previous monitoring inspection found that the suitable risk assessment was implemented inconsistently. Risk assessments were undertaken for trips and visits. However, there were no written risk assessments for the building and accommodation. Issues related to access to a public mosque within the school’s main site had not been

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Main inspection findings

addressed. The risks related to fire safety had not been addressed.  The school has an appropriate up-to-date risk assessment policy. However, it is still not implemented effectively. There continue to be appropriate risk assessments undertaken for trips and visits. But this is not the case for the school premises. There are still areas of the school that do not have appropriate risk assessments. For example, there is a fire risk in the wooden cabins, and there is a risk of falling from the first-floor roof because of wide-opening windows. There are no risk assessments in place that cover these risks, and leaders have not taken any action to reduce them. This standard remains unmet. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 23(1), 23(1)(a), 23(1)(b), 23(1)(c), 23(2)  Inspectors looked at these standards because the school has applied to make a material change to its registration.  The proprietor is proposing to change the school from single-sex to co-educational.

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Main inspection findings

There are appropriate toilet facilities for boys and girls and there is a separate shower room. Although there are no changing facilities on site, leaders have arranged for pupils to come to school in their PE kit on the day that they have PE.  Leaders have ensured that these standards are met. These standards are likely to be met by the school if the DfE decides to approve implementation of the material change. Paragraph 25  The previous report found that the main buildings on the school site were suitably maintained. The teaching accommodation, which is away from the main building but within the school grounds, is not maintained to a standard which ensures the health, welfare and safety of pupils. The heating of the cabins is inadequate in colder weather, sometimes requiring relocation to other parts of the school.  The two cabins remain extremely cold with no adequate form of heating. The school

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Main inspection findings

plans to discontinue their use. Currently, resources for pupils with special educational needs are stored in one of the cabins and it appears that the room remains in use.  Neither of the cabins has a fire alarm point and any alarm signal from the main building is inaudible in the cabins.  The science room, in the main building, contains the main electricity boxes which are accessible and not closed in. This results in a hazard to pupils and staff. This has not been identified by leaders.  This standard remains unmet. Part 6. Provision of information Paragraphs 32(1)(d), 32(1)(g)  The previous progress monitoring inspection that took place on 3 May 2018 found that several items of information were not available for inspection. During this inspection, leaders provided the information that inspectors requested  At the time of the inspection a copy of the school’s most recent inspection was not available to parents. The school has satisfactory plans in place to offer a copy of its most

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Main inspection findings

recent inspection report to parents.  This standard is now met. These standards are likely to continue to be met if the DfE decides to approve the implementation of the material change. Paragraph 32(1)(c)  There is a safeguarding policy in place that now reflects statutory guidance and is up to date. The school has a website, but it is currently not working. Leaders have made parents aware that the school’s safeguarding policy is available on request.  Leaders have ensured that this standard is met, and it is likely to continue to be met if the DfE decides to approve implementation of the material change. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34, 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b) and 34(1)(c)  These standards were not met during the previous monitoring inspection on 3 May 2018. Leaders had not made sure that the independent school standards were met consistently.  Leaders have responded to some of the unmet standards identified during the previous

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Main inspection findings

inspection. They have produced an action plan that has been partially completed. For example, leaders did provide us with the information we requested during this inspection, and they have amended the school’s safeguarding policy so that it complies with current requirements.  However, there are some standards that remain unmet. For example, leaders have not completed thorough risk assessments of the school premises, and they are not doing enough to ensure that the site is safe if there was a fire.  There are other standards that were met previously but are now not met. For example, leaders do not ensure that teachers take accurate attendance registers. Sometimes attendance marks are missing, and this leaves pupils vulnerable. As a result, leaders cannot be sure which pupils are in school.  Leaders have not ensured that the independent school standards are met consistently. They are not fulfilling their responsibilities effectively. They do not ensure that pupils are

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Main inspection findings

safe, and they are not actively promoting the well-being of pupils.  Therefore, the standards in this part are not met, and are unlikely to be if the DfE decides to approve implementation of the material change.

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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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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

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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–

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

– 7(a) arrangements are made to safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils at the school; and

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

– 7(b) such arrangements have regard to any guidance issued by the Secretary of State.

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

 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.

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

 12 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005[12].

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

 16 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that–

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

– 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

 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 role so that the independent school standards are met consistently;

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

– 34(1)(b) fulfil their responsibilities effectively so that the independent school standards are met consistently; and

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

– 34(1)(c) actively promote the well-being of pupils.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

 2(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if–

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

– 2(1)(a) the proprietor ensures that a written policy on the curriculum, supported by appropriate plans and schemes of work, which provides for the matters specified in sub- paragraph (2) is drawn up and implemented effectively; and

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

– 2(1)(b) the written policy, plans and schemes of work–

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

– 2(1)(b)(i) take into account the ages, aptitudes and needs of all pupils, including those pupils with an EHC plan.

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

 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) (England) Regulations 2006[13].

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standards

 32(1) The standard about the provision of information by the school is met if the proprietor ensures that–

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standards

– 31(1)(d) following an inspection under section 108 or 109 of the 2008 Act, a copy of the report of the inspection (if it has been sent to the proprietor) is published and maintained on the school’s internet website, and provided to the parents of each registered pupil, by any date specified by the body who conducted the inspection – 32(1)(g) any information reasonably requested in connection with an inspection under section 109 of the 2008 Act which is required for the purposes of the inspection is provided to the body conducting the inspection and that body is given access to the school’s admission and attendance registers.

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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. The school has applied to the Department for Education (DfE) to make a material change to its registration. At the DfE’s request, we checked whether the school is likely to meet the relevant independent school standards if the DfE decides to approve the change. This part of the inspection was carried out under section 162(4) of the Education Act 2002.

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School details

Of which, number on roll in sixth form 1

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School details

Annual fees (day pupils) £2,000 to £6,900

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection Previously inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate

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Information about this school

 Al Furqan Community School (Boys) is an independent day school for boys aged 11 to 19 years old.  As the result of falling rolls, the proprietor made a request to the registration authority to close the school on 30 August 2019 and to amalgamate with Al Furqan Community School (Girls) to accommodate girls and boys in the one school.  The co-educational school began operating on 1 September 2019, under the unique reference number (URN) of the girls’ school. The school has an Islamic ethos.  The sole proprietor is also headteacher of the school.  The school operates on a single site. The school’s address is 1021 Warwick Road, Solihull, B91 3HG. The school does not use any alternative provision.

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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. The inspection was conducted without notice.  The inspection was also commissioned by the Department for Education (DfE) because the school has applied to the DfE to make a material change to its registration. The school has applied to amalgamate the school with Al Furqan Community School (Girls) on the same site. The school has already implemented the material change. This was the school’s first material change inspection.  The school was previously inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) on 3 May 2018. This was a monitoring inspection to check if the school’s action plan had been

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Information about this inspection

implemented, following the compliance check by ISI in September 2017.The school did not meet all of the independent school standards at that time. The school’s previous standard inspection was in November 2015. This inspection was also carried out by ISI.  Evaluation of the school’s action plan, on 5 May 2019, found that the proposed actions were satisfactory, subject to checking by a visit to the school.  The inspection was carried out in parallel with the inspection of Al Furqan Community school (Girls).  During the inspection, the inspector met with the proprietor and toured the school. The inspector reviewed the school’s procedures for keeping pupils safe and scrutinised school documents, including risk assessments and pupils’ attendance records.  The inspector was unable to speak to pupils, visit lessons or review pupils’ work. This is because there were no pupils on site. The inspector was unable to meet with a wide

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Information about this inspection

range of staff. This is because the proprietor had taken the decision to close the school to pupils and staff on the day of the inspection due to a faulty heating system. This was done before inspectors arrived at the school.

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Inspection team

Mike Onyon, 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 .

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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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