Al-Khair Secondary Girls

School material change inspection report

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109–117 Cherry Orchard CR0 6BE Inspection date 7 September 2021

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7, 7(a), 7(b) and 32(1)(c)  The previous standard inspection in January 2020 judged that the arrangements for safeguarding were effective.  This inspection found that leaders continue to ensure that the arrangements for safeguarding pupils are effective. The school’s child protection and safeguarding policy is comprehensive and takes account of the most up-to-date government advice. It is available on the school’s website for parents and carers. The designated safeguarding lead and staff have appropriate, up-to-date safeguarding training. Leaders ensure that all staff have copies of, and know, the most recent guidance, such as Part 1 of ‘Keeping children safe in education’ (2021).  Procedures for implementing the school’s child protection and safeguarding policy are robust. Record-keeping is secure and transparent.  The school is likely to meet the independent school standards listed above if the

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Main inspection findings

Department for Education (DfE) approves the material change. Paragraph 11, 12, 14, 16, 16(a) and 16(b)  The previous inspection found that the proprietor had established efficient and effective systems for ensuring the welfare, health and safety of pupils.  This inspection found that this continues to be the case. Risk assessments are thorough, and appropriate action is taken to rectify any identified weaknesses. Outcomes are detailed and carefully recorded. For example, leaders have used external contractors to carry out gas and electrical safety checks, as well as a Legionella audit.  An external contractor has carried out a fire risk assessment, identifying potential risks. Leaders carry out regular reviews to ensure that any potential risks are tackled quickly. This ensures that the school is compliant with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.  There is a comprehensive health and safety policy, which takes account of the

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Main inspection findings

relevant legislation. The policy makes clear reference to other policies, such as those for safeguarding and safer recruitment. There are suitable arrangements for supervision around the school at break- and lunchtimes.  The school is likely to meet the independent school standards listed above if the DfE approves the material change.

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Main inspection findings

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors All paragraphs  The previous inspection judged that the checks on the suitability of new staff to work with children were thorough.  This inspection found that the proprietor and leaders continue to ensure that the arrangements to check on the suitability of staff are rigorous. There is a detailed policy for safe recruitment, which is linked closely to the child protection and safeguarding policy. Staff and governors responsible for appointing new staff have received appropriate training.  The single central record is well maintained and complies with current requirements. It records all staff, including those who are temporary, and governors and volunteers. Where appropriate, checks under section 128 of the 2008 Act are carried out on those staff and governors with management responsibilities.  The school is likely to meet the independent school standards in this part if the DfE

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Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools All paragraphs  The previous inspection judged that the school’s premises and accommodation met the independent school standards.  This inspection found that this remains the case. The premises are well maintained and have been recently painted. Classrooms and other areas in the school provide sufficient space for an additional 20 pupils. Ventilation is appropriate, with air- conditioning in classrooms.  Drinking fountains are provided in the common areas of the school. The dedicated medical room is close to suitable toilet facilities. Showers are available for pupils to use after physical education (PE) lessons.  Lighting, both inside and outside, is suitable, as are the acoustics in classrooms. Fire protection equipment is well maintained and provided throughout the school. Fire evacuation procedures are clear and displayed in classrooms.  The school has a small outside area for pupils to use during break- and lunchtimes. It

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Main inspection findings

includes a range of outdoor exercise equipment. Leaders use an external organisation to provide PE instructors and teachers. These lessons take place at the local leisure centre.  The school is likely to meet the independent school standards if the DfE approves the material change.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools All paragraphs  The previous inspection judged that leadership and management were good. It found that the headteacher’s high aspirations were shared by staff, governors and parents. Leaders’ work was sharply focused on ensuring that pupils receive a high-quality education.  This inspection found that the proprietor, leaders and governors continue to promote their strong vision for the school. Leaders are ambitious to expand and develop the school. Written policies and procedures have been amended to take account of up-to- date government guidance. This helps to ensure that the independent school standards are met consistently.  Leaders ensure that the safeguarding arrangements, including the appointment of new staff, remain effective.  The school is likely to meet the independent school standards if the DfE approves the material change.

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Main inspection findings

Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  The proprietor ensures that there is an accessibility plan that meets the requirements of Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010.

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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 that are relevant to the material change.

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School details

This inspection was carried out under section 162(4) of the Education Act 2002, the purpose of which is to advise the Secretary of State for Education about the school’s likely compliance with the independent school standards relevant to the material change that the school has applied to make.

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School details

Email address secondary@alkhairschool.org.uk

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 28–30 January 2020

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 11 to 16 11 to 16 11 to 16

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 80 100 100

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 80 100 Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 1 5

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 0 1

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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 9 9

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision 1 1

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Information about this school

 Al-Khair Secondary Girls’ School was previously part of Al-Khair School, a mixed school for Muslim pupils aged four to 16 and located across two sites, for primary and secondary phases, in the London Borough of Croydon.  Following the school’s full standard inspection in January 2019, leaders applied for Al- Khair to become three schools. Leaders applied to change Al-Khair School to Al-Khair Secondary Boys’ School, and to open two new schools: Al-Khair Secondary Girls’ School and Al-Khair Preparatory School. The application was successful, and the three separate schools have been operating since September 2019. The proprietor is the same for all three schools.  The current inspection was for Al-Khair Secondary Girls’ School, a Muslim all-girls school for pupils aged 11 to 16. A new governing body was appointed for the school in September 2019.  The headteacher of Al-Khair Secondary Girls’ School is also the leader of Al-Khair

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Information about this school

Secondary Boys’ School. Both schools are in the same building. The boys’ school is on the ground floor and the girls’ school is on the first floor. Both schools share specialist facilities, such as the science laboratory and sports hall, using them at different times. They also share staff, including heads of department, who teach in both schools.  The school does not make use of any alternative provision.

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Information about this inspection

 This material change inspection was conducted by Ofsted at the request of the DfE to consider the school’s application for a material change to increase the number of pupils from 80 to 100. This was the school’s first material change inspection related to this change.  This inspection was conducted at one day’s notice.  The focus of the inspection was to consider whether the independent school standards in Parts 3, 4, 5 and 8 are likely to be met if the material change is approved.  The inspector considered a wide range of written policies, including those for safeguarding, safer recruitment, staff training, health and safety, and risk assessments. The inspector toured the building with the headteacher and met with the proprietor.

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Inspection team

Brian Oppenheim, 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 1231, 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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