Darul Uloom London School

School and boarding emergency inspection report

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Foxbury Avenue, Off Perry Street, Chislehurst, Kent BR7 6SD

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during this inspection

Boarding provision outcome The school meets all of the national

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7, 7(a), 7(b), 16  This emergency inspection was triggered by an anonymous safeguarding allegation. The allegation was subsequently withdrawn. Nevertheless, leaders have dealt with allegation effectively, carrying out an investigation that found the concerns to be baseless.  The previous standard inspection, in June 2019, found that the arrangements for safeguarding were effective. This included checking the suitability and training of staff, risk assessments and safeguarding procedures, and taking prompt action about concerns. Pupils could identify a trusted adult to confide in and share concerns.  The arrangements to safeguard pupils continue to be effective. Leaders check the suitability of staff and maintain up-to-date records. In a few cases, some vetting checks are more than three years old. However, leaders carry out annual debarring checks. This ensures the suitability of staff to work with children. Staff training is

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Main inspection findings

appropriate and up to date. Staff know the signs of abuse and the procedures to follow if they have a concern. Leaders act swiftly to investigate concerns and take appropriate action.  Risk assessments identify concerns appropriately and the actions taken to rectify weaknesses. For example, the fire safety risk assessment, carried out by an external expert, is thorough. Concerns, such as the need for new fire doors, have been addressed effectively.  The independent school standards checked in this part are met by the school. Paragraph 8, 8(a), 8(b) 11  The previous inspection judged that the arrangements to safeguard and promote the welfare of boarders at the school were not effective. The arrangements did not have regard to the national minimum standards for boarding schools. This was because the accommodation was not consistently clean or maintained to a high enough standard. Inspectors found toilets, showers, wash basins and bedrooms to be dirty and needing

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Main inspection findings

updating in some places. There were insufficient shower facilities for boarders, and they did not give enough privacy.  This inspection finds that leaders have made improvements to the maintenance of the accommodation, and to the toilet and shower facilities. Updated showers provide sufficient privacy for pupils. Boarders say that they feel safe in the boarding section. They know whom to turn to if they are worried and feel that the boarding staff are approachable. Boarders are adamant that they have not experienced any abuse or bullying.  The school’s revised health and safety policy is thorough and meets the legal requirements.  The independent school standards checked in this part are met by the school.

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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) and 34(1)(c)  The previous inspection found that leaders and managers were failing to carry out their responsibilities effectively. This was because some of the independent school standards and national minimum standards for boarding schools were unmet.  The school now meets the independent school standards and the national minimum standards checked during this inspection. Leaders take their responsibilities for ensuring pupils’ and boarders’ safety and welfare seriously. Safeguarding procedures are clearly documented and understood by staff. Arrangements to maintain the building are effective.  The independent school standards in this part are met by the school.

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Main inspection findings

Boarding provision Compliance with the national minimum standards that were assessed during this inspection Standard NMS 6.1  The school has an up-to-date health and safety policy that addresses any areas of concern appropriately.  Improvements to the school accommodation and facilities mean that this standard is now met. For example, the boarding accommodation is suitably maintained and clean. Upgraded showers give boarders privacy.  Risk assessments are carried out and appropriate action is taken to address any concerns. This helps to ensure the safety of boarders.  The school meets this national minimum standard. Standard NMS 11  Pupils feel safe and happy in the boarding provision. The accommodation is safe and meets their needs. Pupils know which member of the boarding staff they can talk to if they have a concern or worry.  Pupils have been provided with the contact numbers of appropriate external agencies

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Main inspection findings

who can provide advice and advocacy. For example, the main notice board in the reception area includes contact details for Childline. The boarding provision benefits from regular visits from an independent visitor.  Boarding staff are aware of how to report any incidents of concern and take appropriate action when required.  This national minimum standard is met.

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Main inspection findings

Standard NMS 13.1, 13.2, 13.3. 13.4, 13.5, 13.6, 13.7, 13.8, 13.9  Leaders have a clear understanding of their responsibilities and have ensured that standards are met. The headteacher maintains effective oversight of the boarding provision. A member of the board of trustees has responsibility for boarding and visits regularly. The head of boarding is the school’s designated safeguarding lead and works closely with the headteacher.  A number of the boarding staff also work as teachers in the school and this helps to maintain effectives links between academic and residential staff.  The well-being of pupils is promoted throughout the boarding. Staff are aware of how to meet the needs of boarders and provide appropriate support and guidance. Senior boarding staff, including the head of boarding, have attended appropriate training. They have the required skills and experience to undertake their roles.

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Main inspection findings

 All the required policies and procedures are in place and followed by the school. Records are kept well so that leaders can ensure that appropriate action is taken when required.  The school meets the national minimum standards above.

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standards for boarding schools

The school meets the requirements of the schedule to the Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014 (‘the independent school standards’), the national minimum standards for boarding schools and associated requirements that were checked during this inspection. Not all of the standards and associated requirements were checked during this inspection.

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School details

Social care unique reference number SC006927

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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 inspection of boarding provision was carried out under the Children Act 1989, as amended by the Care Standards Act 2000, having regard to the national minimum standards for boarding schools.

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School details

School status Independent boarding school

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School details

Of which, number on roll in sixth form 22

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School details

Email address education@darululoomlondon.com

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 18–20 June 2019

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Information about this school

 Darul Uloom London is an independent boarding school for boys. It is registered for 159 pupils aged 11 to 19. There are currently 122 pupils on roll. All pupils are of Muslim faith.  All pupils board in accommodation that is located on the school premises. Most pupils return home every other weekend.  There are no pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities who have an education, health and care plan.  There are no pupils who speak English as an additional language.  Pupils follow a religious curriculum in the morning and a secular curriculum in the afternoon.  The school does not use any alternative provision.  The school’s last inspection was a standard inspection in June 2019. The inspection judged that the overall effectiveness of the school required improvement. The school did not meet all of the independent school standards or all of the national minimum standards that were checked during the inspection.

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Information about this inspection

 The inspection was carried out at no notice.  Discussions were held with senior leaders, trustees, teachers, boarding staff and pupils.  Inspectors reviewed records, policies and procedures relating to safeguarding.  A range of documentation and policies were scrutinised, including the school’s health and safety and complaints policies.  Inspectors carried out a tour of the school buildings, including the boarding accommodation.

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Inspection team

Patrick Sullivan Her Majesty’s Inspector

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Inspection team

Social Care Regulatory 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

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.

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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/ofsted .

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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.

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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