North Road Academy

School progress monitoring inspection report

p.1

North Road Academy North Road, Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire ST6 2BP

p.1

Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraph 2(1)(a)  At the standard inspection in March 2023, leaders had not ensured that curriculum plans identified what pupils should know and remember in each subject. A new phonics curriculum was in place, but some staff did not have the expertise to teach reading consistently and effectively.  All primary teachers and teaching assistants have now received appropriate training. As a result, the teaching of reading is much more consistent, and pupils are making better progress. Leaders have made reading a very high priority in the school. Pupils enjoy a wide range of fiction and non-fiction. They recognise the importance of reading in their learning across the curriculum. Good links with parents mean that reading is well- supported at home too.  Leaders have purchased appropriate commercial schemes to support the planning and delivery of subject learning. They are aware of the need to adapt these to meet the

p.1

Main inspection findings

needs of pupils in the school. Leaders have now established monitoring and assessment processes to check that pupils are learning what is intended and that those who need extra help are supported effectively.  This previously unmet standard is now met. Paragraph 2(2)(f)  At the previous inspection, leaders had not ensured that there was a suitable programme in place for the youngest children to support their personal, social, emotional and physical development. As a result, not all pupils were well prepared for the next stage in their education.  Leaders have now revised and strengthened their programme of activities for children in Reception. They work closely with staff from the associated private nursery to build carefully on children’s learning and development. A topic approach helps children to develop their social and emotional understanding in a range of situations. There is a strong focus on preparing them for Year 1.

p.1

Main inspection findings

 This previously unmet standard is now met. Paragraphs 1, 3(a), 3(c), 3(d), 3(e), 3(g)  Previously, teachers’ subject knowledge was variable and not all were using teaching and assessment strategies effectively to identify gaps and address misconceptions. Consequently, some pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), were not progressing as quickly as they should.  Leaders have ensured that all staff have received appropriate training to improve their subject knowledge. In addition, new subject plans, with suitable resources, support teachers to know what to teach and when. These plans build towards clear end points. A new curriculum leader is taking responsibility for planning and delivering additional support for those with SEND.  Since the standard inspection, subject leaders have been appointed and trained. Leaders have provided these staff with allocated time to check that subject plans are being

p.2

Main inspection findings

delivered consistently and effectively and that pupils are making the progress they should from their starting points. Weekly training opportunities have been put in place to enable sharing of best practice.  These previously unmet standards are now met.  The previously unmet standards in this part are now met. Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7, 7(a), 7(b), 7(c), 32(1)(c)  Leaders have ensured that all staff receive appropriate safeguarding training. Staff are made aware of local contextual risks. They know what to do if they have concerns about a pupil. Pupils say that they feel safe and well looked after. They say that they are taught about risks, including online.  Leaders make all appropriate checks on staff suitability. Where checks are delayed, staff are supervised at all times.  The safeguarding policy is updated in line with the most recent legislation and guidance.

p.2

Main inspection findings

It is published on the school’s website.  These standards continue to be met. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b)  Leaders have responded very positively to the outcomes of the last standard inspection. They have thought carefully about the actions to take to secure improvements and worked hard to implement these. As a result, the unmet standards from part 1 are now met. However, many of the actions are necessarily very recent, and leaders are clear that, as a result, the changes are not yet fully embedded. This means that they have not yet been able to review the impact of their work over time to ensure consistency.  These standards remain unmet. Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  Leaders ensure that the school meets the requirements of schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010.

p.2

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. 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.

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

Annual fees (day pupils) £4,000 to £4,300

p.5

School details

Email address naeem.bashir@northroadacademy.com

p.5

School details

Date of previous standard inspection 28 February to 2 March 2023

p.5

Information about this school

 North Road Academy is an independent, mixed Muslim faith school for children aged four to 16.  There is a separate nursery on the same site that is managed by the same proprietor which accepts children from age three years.  Leaders do not make use of alternative provision.  The most recent standard inspection took place in March 2023.

p.5

Information about this inspection

 This inspection was carried out at the request of the registration authority for independent schools. The purpose of the inspection was to monitor the progress the school has made in meeting the independent school standards and other requirements that it was judged to not comply with at its previous inspection.  This was the first progress monitoring inspection since the standard inspection in March 2023.  The inspector met throughout the day with the proprietor, who is also the headteacher, the head of secondary school and the head of primary school. The inspector also met with the early years lead and the curriculum lead.  The inspector visited lessons in all year groups and spoke with pupils about their learning during these visits.  The inspector met with children from Year 1 to Year 6 to discuss their learning.  The inspector reviewed a range of documents, including the safeguarding policy, the

p.6

Information about this inspection

curriculum policy and the subject curriculum plans.

p.6

Inspection team

Mel Ford, lead inspector His Majesty’s Inspector

p.6

The school does not meet the following independent school standards

Standards that were not met at the previous inspection and remain un-met at this inspection

p.7

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-

p.7

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

– 34(1)(a) demonstrate good skills and knowledge appropriate to their role so that the independent school standards are met consistently;

p.7

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

– 34(1)(b) fulfil their responsibilities effectively so that the independent school standards are met consistently.

p.7

Part 1. Quality of education provided

 2(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if-

p.7

Part 1. Quality of education provided

– 2(1)(a) the proprietor ensures that a written policy on the curriculum, supported by appropriate plans and schemes of work, which provides for the matters specified in sub- paragraph (2) is drawn up and implemented effectively.

p.7

Part 1. Quality of education provided

 2(2) For the purposes of paragraph (2)(1)(a), the matters are-

p.7

Part 1. Quality of education provided

– 2(2)(f) where the school has pupils below compulsory school age, a programme of activities which is appropriate to their educational needs in relation to personal, social, emotional and physical development and communication and language skills.

p.7

Part 1. Quality of education provided

 3 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that the teaching at the school-

p.7

Part 1. Quality of education provided

– 3(a) enables pupils to acquire new knowledge and make good progress according to their ability so that they increase their understanding and develop their skills in the subjects taught;

p.7

Part 1. Quality of education provided

– 3(c) involves well planned lessons and effective teaching methods, activities and management of class time;

p.7

Part 1. Quality of education provided

– 3(d) shows a good understanding of the aptitudes, needs and prior attainments of the pupils, and ensures that these are taken into account in the planning of lessons; – 3(e) demonstrates good knowledge and understanding of the subject matter being taught;

p.7

Part 1. Quality of education provided

– 3(g) demonstrates that a framework is in place to assess pupils' work regularly and thoroughly and use information from that assessment to plan teaching so that pupils can progress. 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 1. Quality of education provided

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.9

Part 1. Quality of education provided

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.9

Part 1. Quality of education provided

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.9

Part 1. Quality of education provided

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.9

Part 1. Quality of education provided

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

p.9

Part 1. Quality of education provided

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

p.9