Darul Uloom London School

School emergency inspection and boarding progress monitoring inspection report

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this inspection

Boarding provision outcome The school meets all of the national

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Main inspection findings

Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils Paragraph 5, 5(a), 5(b)–5(b)(vii)  The previous standard inspection in March 2022 judged that the school met all the independent school standards (the standards) in this part. This continues to be the case.  The school has a well-organised programme for pupils’ personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education. Plans are structured carefully to ensure that pupils develop their understanding of taking responsibility for their own behaviour. The programme promotes pupils’ awareness of British institutions and values. It encourages respect for others, including different faiths and cultures, the rule of law and the protected characteristics set out in the Equality Act 2010. Pupils spoke knowledgeably about these ideas.  The school meets the standards listed above.

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7, 7a, 7b, 8, 8(a), 8(b), 32(1), 32(1)(c)  Procedures to safeguard pupils are effective. There is a clear policy that provides comprehensive and up-to-date guidance on safeguarding matters. The policy is available to parents and carers on the school’s website or on request at the school office.  The school has eight suitably trained designated safeguarding leads (DSLs). All DSLs have completed specific training on safeguarding pupils, including from harmful sexual behaviour and harassment. All staff, including those responsible for boarding, receive regular training and updates about safeguarding. Leaders maintain up-to-date records of this training. Pupils are taught how to keep themselves safe, how to recognise risks and what to do if they have any concerns.  All pupils spoken to said that they feel safe. They said that bullying or harassment

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Main inspection findings

happens rarely, if at all. Pupils are confident that the school’s leaders will take firm actions to resolve any concerns and keep everyone safe. Leaders and staff make sure that the school is a safe community and that pupils are kept safe.  The school meets the standards listed above. Paragraph 9, 9(a), 9(b), 10  Leaders have implemented an appropriate behaviour policy that sets out clearly the rewards available for behaving well and the sanctions for unacceptable behaviour. Pupils understand what is, and is not, acceptable behaviour.  Leaders ensure that bullying is not tolerated. Pupils are taught about the importance of anti-bullying through the PSHE education programme and assemblies. The school’s ethos promotes the importance of treating others with respect.  The school meets the standards listed above. Paragraph 11, 13, 14, 16, 16(a), 16(b)  The school has appropriate arrangements for ensuring that health and safety

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Main inspection findings

requirements are met. There is a thorough health and safety policy and suitable procedures to check that it is being applied consistently. For example, regular checks are made on the cleanliness and state of repair of the building.  Leaders have ensured that there are appropriate arrangements for providing first aid. Named staff are trained first-aiders, and policy documents give clear guidance, including for the administration of medicines.  Staff are appropriately deployed to ensure that pupils are supervised effectively. For example, leaders have drawn up a staff rota for supervision at break- and lunchtimes. Pupils behave well at these times, often helping to serve food or say prayers.  There is a well-defined risk assessment policy that is used to ensure that pupils’ safety and welfare are given proper emphasis. Leaders take appropriate action to address any issues identified. For example, leaders have closed the games room for refurbishment

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Main inspection findings

because they deemed that it presented an unacceptable health and safety risk.  The school meets the standards listed above.  Leaders have ensured that the standards in this part are met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraph 18(1)–18(4)(c)  The previous standard inspection judged that the checks on the suitability of staff to work with pupils met the requirements of the standards.  This inspection found that the proprietor and leaders continue to ensure that the arrangements to check the suitability of staff comply with requirements. There are detailed policies for safer recruitment and safeguarding. Senior staff and trustees responsible for appointing new staff have received appropriate training in safer recruitment. Leaders ensure that they obtain two references when appointing new staff.  The single central record meets requirements. It is well maintained and records all staff and trustees. Checks under section 128 of the 2008 Act are carried out for those staff and governors with management responsibilities. Where necessary, leaders ensure that

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Main inspection findings

they carry out any additional checks they think necessary on the suitability of staff who have worked overseas.  The school meets the standards listed above.

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Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraph 22–31(c)  The previous standard inspection judged that the school’s premises and accommodation met the independent school standards.  This inspection found that this continues to be the case. The premises are appropriately maintained. Some areas have been recently painted. Classrooms provide sufficient space and are well lit. They are clean and suitably resourced.  Drinking water is readily available to pupils and is clearly marked as such. There is a suitable first-aid room for dealing with pupils’ medical needs. Showers are available for pupils in the boarding area of the school and provide both hot and cold water. The showers have been recently refurbished and are now of acceptable quality.  Fire protection equipment is well maintained and provided throughout the school. Emergency exits are clearly marked.  The school has a large, grassed area outside for pupils to use during break- and

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Main inspection findings

lunchtimes and after school. Outside areas around the building are suitably lit.  The school meets the standards in this part.

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Main inspection findings

Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled Paragraph 33, 33(a)–33(k)  Leaders continue to ensure that there is a suitable complaints policy. This sets out a five- step procedure and the timescales for handling complaints. For example, the process provides for a formal hearing of a complaint. It ensures that where there is a panel hearing, one member of that panel is independent of the school’s leadership.  Leaders maintain confidential, written records of complaints and the outcomes. The complaints policy is available on the school’s website or on request from the school office.  The school meets the standards in this part. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1)–34(2)  The previous standard inspection found that trustees and leaders knew their school well and carried out their responsibilities conscientiously.  This inspection found that the trustees and leaders understand their roles in relation to

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Main inspection findings

the standards. Leaders and trustees have made significant improvements to the boarding accommodation and have well-founded plans for further upgrades to the building. Written policies and procedures take account of up-to-date government guidance. The standards are met consistently.  Leaders ensure that the safeguarding arrangements, including the appointment of new staff, are suitable and reflect the requirements of the standards.  The school meets the standards in this part.

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Main inspection findings

The national minimum standards that were assessed during this inspection Standard 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4  School leaders have taken firm action to address the shortfalls that were identified at the last welfare inspection in January 2023. These shortfalls related to sleeping and living accommodation, washing and toileting facilities, and the level of cleanliness at the school.  A significant amount of improvement work has been completed in a relatively short time. As a result, the quality of sleeping and living accommodation for boarders now meets requirements.  Boarders have easy access to sufficient toilet and washing facilities. The bedrooms provide boarders with enough privacy and space to relax. These facilities are maintained to an appropriate standard of cleanliness and repair. Boarders reported no issues with queues, water temperature or water pressure in the shower rooms. Ventilation is sufficient.

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Main inspection findings

 All boarders spoken to recognised that significant improvements have been made to the boarding provision’s physical environment. This has had a positive impact on their boarding experiences.  The school now meets the national minimum standards listed 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. 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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schools

 Good-quality sleeping accommodation is provided for boarders. It is well organised and managed, with ongoing assessments of risk (which should be documented) and findings acted on to reduce risk for all boarders. Accommodation gives boarders appropriate privacy, taking into account sex, age and any special requirements. Where children share a bedroom, they are able to express a preference about whom they share with. This specifically relates to the quality of the sleeping accommodation. (NMS 4.1)  Good-quality living accommodation and equipment, including appropriate internet access, are provided for boarders for the purposes of organised and private study outside school hours and for social purposes. This specifically relates to the quality of the living accommodation. (NMS 4.2)  Sufficient toilet and washing facilities, with good-quality fixtures and fittings and access to hot water, are provided for boarders, are readily accessible from the sleeping

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schools

accommodation and take into account sex, age and any special requirements. This specifically relates to the quality of toilet and washing facilities. (NMS 4.3)  Boarding houses and other accommodation provided for boarders are well lit, heated and ventilated, cleaned and maintained, and reasonable adjustments are made to provide accessible accommodation for any boarders with disabilities. This specifically relates to the cleanliness of the areas accessible to boarders. (NMS 4.4)

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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 28

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School details

Email address education@darululoomlondon.com

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 22 to 24 March 2022

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Information about this school

 Darul Uloom London is an independent boarding school for boys. It is registered for 155 pupils aged 11 to 19 years. There are currently 133 pupils on roll. All are boarders. The school has a Muslim ethos.  The school and the boarding provision are located at Foxbury Avenue, Chislehurst BR7 6SD.  All pupils board in accommodation that is located on the school premises. Most pupils return home every other weekend.  Leaders do not use any alternative provision.  The previous inspection of the school’s boarding provision was in January 2023. The school did not meet all the national minimum standards that were checked during the inspection.  The previous standard inspection of the school was in March 2022. The inspection judged that the overall effectiveness of the school was good. The school met all the independent school standards and national minimum standards.  The previous progress monitoring inspection of the school was in May 2021. The school

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Information about this school

met all the independent school standards and all the national minimum standards for boarding that were checked during that inspection.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was carried out at the request at the Department for Education (DfE), the registration authority for independent schools. Inspectors were commissioned to carry out an emergency inspection of school provision, in response to concerns raised with the DfE about arrangements to safeguard pupils and promote their well-being. At the same time, the registration authority requested a progress monitoring inspection of the boarding provision to monitor the progress the school has made in meeting other requirements that it was judged to not comply with at its previous inspection.  This inspection, in July 2023, took place with no notice. The DfE asked inspectors to evaluate the school’s performance against a number of the standards for independent schools and boarding provision. Inspectors were also asked to assess the implications of complaints received by the DfE.  Inspectors met with leaders, including the headteacher and the head of boarding, and

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Information about this inspection

the designated leaders for safeguarding. Inspectors met with the trustees, including the chair of the board of trustees. Inspectors also met with groups of pupils to assess their views about the school’s progress and its safeguarding work.  Inspectors reviewed the school’s policies and records. They made a tour of the boarding and the school premises.

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Inspection team

Brian Oppenheim, lead inspector Ofsted Inspector

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Inspection team

Seka Graovac Social Care Regulatory Inspector

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Inspection team

Dorothy Thompstone 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 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

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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