Al-Khair School

109–117 Cherry Orchard Road, Croydon CR0 6BE

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraphs 2, 3  The school’s curriculum and assessment policies are suitable.  There are schemes of work covering all the required areas of learning for pupils aged 11 to 16. These show the knowledge and skills that pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, are expected to learn as they progress through the school.  A suitable personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education programme is delivered on a weekly basis to all pupils. It is based on a commercial scheme of work and resources. Pupils are encouraged to respect the range of differences that people have.  All the requirements for relationships and sex education are met.  A broad programme of careers education helps to prepare pupils for their future. An external organisation is commissioned to provide pupils with impartial careers information, advice and guidance.

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Main inspection findings

 The school is suitably staffed and resourced. This inspection identified no concerns about the quality of education.  The independent school standards in this part continue to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils All paragraphs  The school’s PSHE education curriculum is suitable. It promotes fundamental British values and pays regard to the full range of differences people have, including all the protected characteristics identified in the Equality Act 2010. Pupils spoke of their learning about mental and physical health, online safety and healthy relationships.  The PSHE education programme is complemented by a programme of assemblies, themed days and outings. Pupils are taught about a range of religions, faiths and cultures. Tolerance and appreciation of the diversity of modern British society are actively promoted.  An extracurricular programme of clubs provides pupils with a range of additional creative and sporting opportunities.  Teachers follow clear guidance to avoid the promotion of partisan views. They know to offer a balanced presentation of opposing points of view in the teaching of any

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Main inspection findings

political topic.  The independent school standard in this part continues to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7-7(b), 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 16  This inspection identified concerns about the school’s safeguarding arrangements. Leaders do not meet their obligations for all pupils on the school’s roll. The recording of actions taken in the light of safeguarding concerns is not thorough enough. There are systemic weaknesses in how well the proprietor and governors communicate with, and check the work of leaders with responsibility for safeguarding. These requirements are no longer met.  The school’s behaviour and anti-bullying policies are implemented well. Bullying is dealt with effectively should it occur. Rare incidents of serious misbehaviour, and any sanctions imposed, are suitably recorded. These requirements continue to be met.  The school’s health and safety policy is not implemented well. Unlocked cupboards containing cleaning chemicals are accessible to pupils. This requirement is no longer

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Main inspection findings

met.  The school’s first-aid policy is implemented well. There are a number of qualified first- aiders who administer first aid when required. Any accidents and provision of first aid are recorded appropriately. This requirement continues to be met.  During a recent school outing, pupils were not properly supervised. The implementation of the planned risk assessment was not good enough. As a result, pupils were put at risk. However, serious lessons have been learned. Staff have had further training and the risk assessment process has been strengthened. These requirements continue to be met.  Some of the independent school standards in this part are no longer met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 23(1), 23(1)(c), 24(1), 24(1)(b), 25, 28(1), 28(1)(d)  The premises are in a generally good state of repair. The school’s suitable closed- circuit television (CCTV) camera policy is implemented well. However, leaders do not pay enough attention to detail in ensuring that the building is cleaned thoroughly, including the pupils’ toilets and showers.  The school’s shower facility is not available for pupils to use because it is being used as a storeroom for physical education equipment.  Some shower cubicles have been converted into storerooms for cleaning products, such as bottles of sanitiser. These rooms were unlocked and these products were therefore accessible to pupils.  The medical room washing facility had no hot-water supply and no soap.  The hot-water supplies in the washing facilities in staff and pupils’ toilets are not regulated. These present a scalding risk.

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Main inspection findings

 Some of the independent school standards in this part are no longer met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 6. Provision of information Paragraph 32(1), 32(1)(c)  The school’s safeguarding policy is available on the school’s website.  This requirement continues 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)  This inspection identified complex weaknesses in leadership, management and governance.  The proprietor and members of the governing body are involved in overseeing a number of ongoing investigations arising from concerns and grievances.  There is not enough communication between members of the governing body, the proprietor and senior leaders. Consequently, members of the governing body and the proprietor are not aware of some important safeguarding information.  Leaders and the proprietor have failed to ensure that all the independent school standards are met consistently, including in relation to safeguarding, health and safety, and premises.  Leaders and the proprietor are over-reliant on external contractors for the maintenance of the premises, including cleanliness. They are not sufficiently familiar

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Main inspection findings

with the independent school standards in relation to premises and accommodation.  The independent school standard in this part is no longer met.

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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. Not all of the standards and associated requirements were checked during this inspection.

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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.

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School details

Type of school Islamic secondary day school for boys

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School details

Headteacher Aisha Chaudhry (Executive Headteacher)

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School details

Email address secondary@alkhairschool.org.uk

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 5 to 7 October 2021

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Information about this school

 Al-Khair School is an Islamic independent day school for boys aged 11 to 16.  The executive headteacher of the school is also the executive headteacher of Al-Khair Secondary Girls School. These schools are in the same building. The boys’ school is on the ground floor and the girls’ school is on the first floor. The schools have the same proprietor. They share facilities, such as the science laboratory and sports hall. They also share members of staff who teach in both schools, and the same website.  The school does not make use of any alternative provision.  In the near future, the proprietor intends to extend the school’s premises into the neighbouring building, but has no plans to increase the number or the age range of pupils.  The school’s most recent inspection was a full inspection in October 2021, when its overall effectiveness was judged to be good.

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Information about this inspection

 This emergency inspection was commissioned by the Department for Education in response to information that raised wider concerns about some aspects of the school’s work.  The inspection was conducted in parallel with an inspection of Al-Khair Secondary Girls School, which shares the same site.  The inspection was conducted without notice.  The inspector was asked to report against some of the requirements contained within parts 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 and 8 of the independent school standards.  The inspector met with the executive headteacher, the chief executive officer, the proprietor and three members of the governing body. He also met with two groups of pupils and a group of staff.  The inspector also spoke by telephone with the local authority’s designated officer for safeguarding.  The inspector toured the premises and reviewed key documentation, including documents related to safeguarding, health and safety, and risk assessment.

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Information about this inspection

 There were not enough recent responses to Ofsted’s online survey for parents and carers, Parent View, to consider as part of this inspection.

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Inspection team

James Waite, lead inspector Ofsted Inspector

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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(a) arrangements are made to safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils at the school; and – 7(b) such arrangements have regard to any guidance issued by the Secretary of State.  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.

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Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

 23(1) Subject to sub-paragraph (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 physical education.  24(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that suitable accommodation is provided in order to cater for the medical and therapy needs of pupils, including– – 24(1)(b) accommodation for the short-term care of sick and injured pupils, which includes a washing facility and is near to a toilet facility.  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.  28(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that–

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Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

– 28(1)(d) the temperature of hot water at the point of use does not pose a scalding risk to users.

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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; – 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 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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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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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