Al-Khair Secondary Girls

Al-Khair Secondary Girls’ School 109–117 Cherry Orchard Road, Croydon CR0 6BE

p.1

Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraphs 2–3  The school’s curriculum policy is suitable and supported by schemes of work that cover all the required areas of learning for pupils aged 11 to 16. These show the sequence of knowledge and skills pupils are expected to learn, including pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities.  The school’s assessment policy is suitable.  A suitable personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education programme is in place. Teachers follow a commercial scheme of work and resources to deliver weekly lessons. The school’s PSHE programme encourages pupils’ strong understanding of respect and acceptance of people with different views and beliefs.  The statutory requirements for relationships and sex education are met.  The school provides pupils with impartial careers information, advice and guidance. An external organisation assists in delivering the careers education to pupils. This helps

p.1

Main inspection findings

to prepare pupils for future employment or study.  The school is appropriately staffed and resourced, ensuring the effective delivery of the curriculum and effective quality of education.  The independent school standards in this part continue to be met.

p.1

Main inspection findings

Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils All paragraphs  The school’s PSHE programme promotes the principles of fundamental British values. It encourages respect for all the protected characteristics identified in the Equality Act 2010.  The proprietor ensures that pupils are encouraged to gain an appreciation and respect for other cultures, faiths and religions through assemblies, themed days and outings. Pupils confidently described ways in which other people are similar and different in modern British society.  Pupils are encouraged to appreciate the diversity within their school and modern British society. They spoke about how they use their initiative to contribute positively to society, by raising funds for local and national charities.  A programme of clubs and enrichment activities enables pupils to develop their interests and talents. These include archery, boxing and horse riding.

p.1

Main inspection findings

 Teachers present a balanced portrayal of opposing points of views. They follow clear guidance to avoid promotion of partisan views when discussing political topics.  The independent school standard in this part continues to be met.

p.2

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 fulfil their responsibilities for all pupils on the school’s roll. Safeguarding action is not taken in a timely manner or carefully recorded. Governors were not aware of crucial information, which highlighted weaknesses in the school’s communication systems and mechanisms for verifying the work of safeguarding leaders. These requirements are no longer met.  Staff implement the school’s behaviour and anti-bullying policies consistently. Staff act promptly to resolve any bullying when it occurs. Leaders record any incidents of misbehaviour suitably. These requirements continue to be met.  The school’s health and safety policy is not implemented well. Chemical solutions and cleaning products are stored in unlocked cupboards. This requirement is no longer

p.2

Main inspection findings

met.  Several members of staff are trained in administering first aid and attend to pupils quickly when required. They record any accidents and medical treatment appropriately. The first-aid policy is implemented well, and this requirement continues to be met.  Leaders were not rigorous in their implementation of supervision and risk assessments on a recent school outing, exposing pupils to possible risk of harm. Leaders identified and acknowledged these shortcomings and have amended the school’s policies and provided additional training for staff to strengthen the school’s processes and procedures on educational outings and visits. These requirements continue to be met.  Some of the independent school standards in this part are no longer met.

p.2

Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 23(1), 23(1)(c), 24(1), 24(1)(b), 25 and 28(1), 28(1)(d)  The premises are generally in a good state of upkeep. The school’s CCTV camera policy is suitable and implemented well. However, leaders do not make sure that the building is thoroughly cleaned, including the pupils’ toilets and showers.  The school’s shower facilities are unavailable for pupils to use because they are used to store physical education equipment.  Facilities labelled as toilets and shower cubicles are used for storage and contain cleaning products, such as bottles of sanitiser. These areas are not locked securely and these products were therefore accessible to pupils.  The supply of hot water for handwashing in the medical room, pupils’ toilets and adult toilets is not regulated. This runs the risk of potentially scalding users.  Some of the independent school standards in this part are no longer met.

p.2

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.

p.3

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)  This inspection identified complex weaknesses in leadership, management and governance. The proprietor and governors are involved in overseeing a number of ongoing investigations addressing staff allegations and grievances.  Communication between members of the governing body, the proprietor and senior leaders is not effective. This results in some essential information not being appropriately shared with relevant parties. Members of the governing body and the proprietor are ill-informed and do not have oversight of some of their statutory safeguarding duties.  Leaders have not ensured the full and consistent implementation of all the independent school standards, including safeguarding, premises, and health and safety.  Leaders and the proprietor are over-reliant on external contractors for the

p.3

Main inspection findings

maintenance of the premises, including cleanliness. They are not sufficiently familiar with premises and accommodation independent school standards.  The independent school standard in this part is no longer met.

p.3

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.

p.4

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.

p.5

School details

Type of school Islamic secondary day school for girls

p.5

School details

Headteacher Aisha Chaudhry (executive headteacher)

p.5

School details

Email address secondary@alkhairschool.org.uk

p.5

School details

Date of previous standard inspection 28 to 30 January 2020

p.5

Information about this school

 Al-Khair Secondary Girls is an Islamic independent day school for pupils aged 11 to 16.  The executive headteacher of the school is also the executive headteacher of Al-Khair Secondary Boys’ School. Both schools are in the same building. The girls’ school is on the first floor and the boys’ school is on the ground 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 have the same website.  The school does not make use of any alternative provision.  In the near future, the school 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 January 2020, when its overall effectiveness was judged to be good.

p.5

Information about this inspection

 This emergency inspection was commissioned by the Department for Education in response to information which raised wider concerns about some aspects of the school’s work.  The inspection was conducted in parallel with an inspection of Al-Khair Boys’ 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 considered information provided by 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.

p.7

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.

p.7

Inspection team

Lascelles Haughton, lead inspector Her Majesty’s Inspector

p.7

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.

p.8

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–

p.8

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.

p.8

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 .

p.8

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.

p.10

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 .

p.10

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.

p.10

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open- government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.10

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.10

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.10