Beacon Lights Schools

School material change inspection report

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Beacon Lights Schools Rifaiyy Building (Hopwood Lane Entrance), Francis Street, Halifax HX1 5JY

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7 to 7(b)  The proprietor has ensured that robust safeguarding policies and procedures are in place. The child protection and safeguarding policy takes account of the most recent legislation and guidance. The school commissions external consultants for advice.  The school subscribes to an online training service to ensure that staff are fully trained in safeguarding, including the Prevent strategy. Governors also have access to this service and are required to complete annual training. New staff are subject to an induction process which includes safeguarding training.  In relation to pupils’ wider welfare, the school employs pastoral staff who provide support to pupils as necessary. The curriculum for personal, social and health education and relationships and sex education covers statutory content. Pupils learn how to lead safe and healthy lifestyles through regular assemblies. The school is

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Main inspection findings

determined to ensure that students are prepared well for the next stage of their education and life beyond the school. Paragraph 11  The proprietor has drawn up an effective health and safety policy. The policy sets out the responsibilities of different stakeholders within the school. The proprietor has identified a named person for health and safety.  Health and safety training forms part of staff induction and annual training.  Systems are in place by which staff can report any health and safety concerns. Maintenance needs are logged and are triaged to ascertain the level of urgency with which they need to be dealt. The school caretaker checks this log daily. The headteacher also checks it regularly.  A maintenance schedule is in place for the proposed new premises. The aim of this is to identify any potential issues before they cause a problem. Paragraph 12  The proprietor ensures compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order

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Main inspection findings

2005.  The proprietor has commissioned an external agency to conduct a fire risk assessment of the proposed new premises. The school has already acted on the feedback from this risk assessment. The proposed new premises have a number of fire exits which are all clearly marked and kept free from obstruction. The proprietor has installed an appropriate number of fire extinguishers throughout the building.  The school subscribes to an external fire monitoring service. This means that should the fire alarm be triggered, the emergency services will automatically be contacted.  The school conducts regular fire evacuation drills. The fire assembly point is clearly marked in the school’s outside space. The proprietor has installed large double gates in order that the fire service can easily access the site in the event of a fire.  Several staff are trained as fire marshals. Paragraph 14  The school is not proposing to appoint any more staff if the proposed increase in pupil

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Main inspection findings

numbers is approved. However, current staffing is sufficient to ensure that pupils are properly supervised at all times. It is anticipated that the increase in the number on roll will take place over a period of several years.  The school employs one teacher and one teaching assistant for each of the primary year groups. It also employs one teacher for each of the secondary year groups. In addition, there are several part-time teachers of Arabic. No classes are currently at capacity.  There are several lunchtime supervisors to ensure that pupils are adequately supervised during lunchtime. Paragraphs 16, 16(a), 16(b)  The proprietor has produced a risk management policy for the proposed new premises. This takes account of the potential risks to those using the site and mitigation of those risks. Statutory risk assessments are in place. The proprietor has ensured that ‘the standards’ in this part are likely to be met if the DfE

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Main inspection findings

decides to approve implementation of the material changes.

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Main inspection findings

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 18(2) to 18(3)  All required pre-employment checks are made on staff prior to appointment.  The proprietor has ensured that robust recruitment procedures are in place. Safeguarding is at the forefront of recruitment. It takes precedence from the advertisement through to appointment. Paragraphs 19(2) to 19(3)  The school does not make use of any supply staff. Paragraphs 20(6) to 20(6)(c)  All required pre-employment checks are made on members of the proprietor board and governors. Paragraphs 21(1) to 21(7)(b)  There is an electronic single central record in place. This is well-maintained and checked for compliance regularly and systematically by the chair of governors. The school’s single central record records all relevant checks on school staff and the dates on which those checks were made. The proprietor has ensured that ‘the standards’ in this part are likely to be met if the DfE

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Main inspection findings

decides to approve implementation of the material changes.

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Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 23(1) to 24(2)  The proposed new premises have adequate toilets and washing facilities for the proposed number of pupils. There are separate toilets for boys and girls in both the primary and secondary phases. In addition, there are also toilets for disabled pupils.  Leaders have identified two areas which can be used as changing facilities for pupils. A shower is installed in one of the toilets on the ground floor.  There is a medical room for the short-term treatment of pupils. The room has a sink, medical bed and is located near to a toilet. Paragraphs 25 to 28(2)(b)  The proposed new premises are finished to a high standard that will ensure the health, safety and welfare of pupils.  Classrooms are spacious with plenty of natural light. They are suitably insulated to ensure that teaching is not disrupted by external noise.  Primary pupils have access to the playground from their classroom.

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Main inspection findings

 Secondary pupils will benefit from a well-fitted science laboratory and a food technology room.  All pupils will have access to two computer suites.  Externally, adequate lighting is fitted to ensure the safety of those entering and leaving the premises. Paragraphs 29(1) to 29(1)(b)  The proposed new premises has a large, level outdoor area which is suitable for both outdoor play and physical education. The outdoor space is secure. It comprises terraced seating, an all-weather area and rubber flooring. Paragraph 30  The school does not provide boarding accommodation for pupils. The proprietor has ensured that ‘the standards’ in this part are likely to be met if the DfE decides to approve implementation of the material changes. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34(1) to 34(1)(c)  The proprietor has given careful thought to the design and layout of the proposed new premises and how they will be used to accommodate a growing number of

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Main inspection findings

pupils. The premises are completed to a high standard.  The proprietor, chair of governors and the headteacher demonstrate secure understanding of the independent school standards and how to ensure that these are consistently met. They have established rigorous quality assurance systems and processes. Leaders possess the knowledge and skills they require to perform their respective roles.  Leaders fulfil their responsibilities effectively and actively promote pupils’ well-being. Leaders have both the capacity and capability to ensure that ‘the standards’ will continue to be consistently met. The proprietor has ensured that ‘the standards’ in this part are likely to be met if the DfE decides to approve implementation of the material changes.

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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

Proprietor Beacon Lights Educational Trust

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School details

Annual fees (day pupils) Primary £2,200 Secondary £2,600

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 15 to 17 March 2022

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 5 to 16 Not applicable Not applicable

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 132 330 330

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School's current position School's proposal

Gender of pupils Mixed Not applicable Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 132 Not applicable

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School's current position School's proposal

Number of part-time pupils 0 Not applicable

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School's current position School's proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 0 Not applicable

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School's current position School's proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan 0 Not applicable

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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 Not applicable Not applicable

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School's current position School's proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 10 10

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School's current position School's proposal

Number of part-time teaching staff 11 11

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School's current position School's proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision Not applicable Not applicable

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Information about this school

 The school’s last standard inspection took place on 15 to 17 March 2022.  The school does not use any alternative provision.  The school currently operates from its premises at Rifaiyy Building (Hopwood Lane Entrance), Francis Street, Halifax HX1 5JY. Should the material change be approved, all pupils will be educated at the school’s new premises in Lister Lane, Halifax HX1 5JL.  The school has an Islamic ethos.

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Information about this inspection

 The Department for Education commissioned this inspection to check the suitability of the school’s proposed new premises and whether they can accommodate an increase in pupil numbers.  This was the first material change inspection in respect of this particular change that the school has applied to make.  The nature of the material change will not affect the educational provision on offer to pupils.  To check compliance with the independent school standards, the inspector toured the proposed new premises. The inspector also reviewed the school’s fire safety arrangements and several policies. These included the health and safety policy and risk management policy.  To evaluate the effectiveness of safeguarding, the inspector reviewed the school’s single central record and met with the designated safeguarding lead, who is the headteacher. The inspector also spoke with the chair of the proprietor board and the

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Information about this inspection

chair of governors about the safeguarding culture in the school.  The inspector also checked that the school’s safeguarding policy is available to parents and carers. This requirement of the independent school standards is met.

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Inspection team

Philippa Kermotschuk, lead inspector His 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

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Inspection team

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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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