Apex Secondary School for Boys

School pre-registration inspection report

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Apex Secondary School for Boys 287 Cranbrook Road, Ilford IG1 4UA

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided All paragraphs  The proposed school has suitable curriculum plans that cover all the required areas of learning for secondary-age pupils. However, leaders have not written a clear policy that accurately reflects the curriculum pupils will follow when the school opens.  Pupils will study the core subjects, physical education, geography, history, computing and business studies, Islamic studies, Arabic and art. Curriculum plans and assessment processes are likely to take account of pupils’ different ages, interests and abilities, including any pupils who may have education, health and care plans (EHC plan).  Leaders’ plans to recruit teachers with sufficient subject expertise are well underway, but plans to ensure the curriculum is well resourced are embryonic. The proposed school is not ready to provide pupils with a high-quality education that reflects the ambition of the proposed curriculum.

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Main inspection findings

 Leaders have planned a suitable personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education curriculum, which includes coverage of fundamental British values and equality. The curriculum includes coverage of relationships and sex education (RSE) content. However, the proposed school’s RSE policy is based on guidance from 2000 and does not reflect the latest statutory requirements.  The proposed school does not have suitable plans to provide pupils with regular, impartial and up-to-date careers information, advice and guidance. The proposal to train a current member of staff is unrealistic.  Some of the independent school standards (the standards) in this part are not likely to be met. These are listed in full in the report’s annex.

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Main inspection findings

Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils All paragraphs  The proposed curriculum includes weekly PSHE education lessons, assemblies and mentoring sessions. A school council and a programme of visits and visitors are also planned. Through these lessons and activities, pupils are likely to be encouraged to respect differences, including in relation to all the protected characteristics. Pupils are likely to learn about British values, respectful relationships and the diversity of modern society. In addition to Islamic studies, the planned PSHE education curriculum includes teaching pupils about a range of other religions, faiths and cultures.  The proposed school’s spiritual, moral, social and cultural policy makes it clear that no member of staff may promote partisan political views. Teachers are likely to be trained to ensure that balanced points of view are always presented in the teaching of

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Main inspection findings

any political topic.  The standards in this part are likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils All paragraphs  The proposed school’s safeguarding policy reflects the September 2024 statutory guidance. Designated safeguarding leads have completed suitable training and are aware of their legal duties. The school’s proposed system for tracking safeguarding concerns, referrals made and actions taken are likely to be effective when it is implemented. The safer recruitment process pays regard to statutory guidance. However, the single central record of vetting checks on adults is not compliant.  The proposed school’s suitable behaviour and anti-bullying policies are likely to be implemented well. Leaders will use a spreadsheet to record incidents of serious misbehaviour and any sanctions imposed as a result.  The proposed school’s health and safety policy is likely to be implemented well when the building works are complete. However, confirmation of sign-off from the building

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Main inspection findings

control officer was not available during the inspection.  Arrangements for complying with fire safety legislation are incomplete. Though an external fire risk assessment for the proposed school has been recently completed, it was not available at the time of the inspection and it is clear that some actions remain ongoing. The only commissioning certificate available was for the new detection and alarm system.  Leaders have written a suitable first-aid policy. There are several staff with in-date first-aid training. The processes for managing and recording accidents, injuries and medication are likely to be suitable.  Plans to supervise pupils are likely to be appropriate. Class sizes will be up to 25 pupils. Pupils will be appropriately supervised at breaktimes and lunchtimes.  The school’s admission and attendance registers are likely to be compliant with the requirements of the Education (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2006. They

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Main inspection findings

include all the required information.  The proposed school’s risk assessment policy and written risk assessments are not likely to be suitable. The policy is weak, as it says little about how the proposed school intends to minimise risk in practice. Written risk assessments for regular activities, such as physical education at the local leisure centre, were not available.  Some of the standards in this part are not likely to be met. These are listed in full in the report’s annex.

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Main inspection findings

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors All paragraphs  The proposed school’s single central record is incomplete. It does not include all the required, dated checks. Those missing include prohibition from management checks on trustees and barred list checks for staff.  Some of the standards in this part are not likely to be met. These are listed in full in the report’s annex.

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Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools All paragraphs  The premises are likely to be fit for purpose when they are completed and furnished. There are five suitable classrooms, large indoor and outdoor areas for prayer and recreation and a suitable medical room, toilet and washing facilities. Lighting inside and out, and the building’s acoustics, are all likely to be suitable.  Plans to provide changing and shower facilities at a public leisure centre for physical education lessons that will take place there are likely to be appropriate.  Arrangements to provide suitably labelled drinking-water are incomplete. The hot water supply is not safely regulated.  Some of the standards in this part are not likely to be met. These are listed in full in the report’s annex.

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Main inspection findings

Part 6. Provision of information All paragraphs  The proposed school’s leaders are in the process of ensuring all the required information is available online. They know which information to include, such as policies, guidance, contact information and factual information for example on complaints and examinations.  Leaders are aware of their statutory duties should pupils with EHC plans attend the proposed school.  Leaders have prepared a suitable template to report pupils’ progress and attainment in all subjects to their parents and carers on an annual basis.  The standards in this part are likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled All paragraphs  The proposed school’s complaints policy and formal complaints log have been produced in line with the requirements in this part.  If implemented well, leaders’ proposed procedure is likely to ensure informal and formal complaints are managed appropriately.  The standards in this part are likely to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools All paragraphs  The proposed school’s proprietor and leaders are committed to opening this school. However, they are relying too heavily on guidance from external consultants, rather than focusing themselves on knowing and ensuring compliance with the latest requirements for registration as an independent secondary school.  There is not enough evidence that leaders will ensure that the standards are met fully and consistently if this school is registered.  The standards in this part are not likely to be met, as listed in full in the report’s annex.

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Main inspection findings

Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  Though the proposed school’s plan includes some suitable actions to improve accessibility, it does not fully reflect the requirements of schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010. This requirement is therefore not likely to be met.

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Compliance with regulatory requirements

The school is unlikely to meet the requirements of the schedule to the Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014 (‘the independent school standards’) and associated requirements, as set out in the annex of this report.

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Proposed school details

This inspection was carried out under section 99 of the Education and Skills Act 2008, the purpose of which is to advise the Secretary of State for Education about the school’s likely compliance with the independent school standards that are required for registration as an independent school.

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Proposed school details

Email address contact@apexsecondary.co.uk

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recommendation

Age range of pupils Not applicable 11 to 16 Not applicable Number of pupils on the school roll Not applicable 125 Not applicable

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Gender of pupils Not applicable Boys Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age Not applicable 125 Number of part-time pupils Not applicable Not applicable

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities Not applicable 25

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan Not applicable 5

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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 5

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff Not applicable 5

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time teaching staff Not applicable 5

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision Not applicable 1

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Information about this proposed school

 This proposed independent school is a secondary day school for boys with an Islamic ethos. The proprietor plans to operate this school and another proposed school, Apex Secondary School for Girls, from the same premises. The proprietor plans to initially open both schools to pupils in Years 7 to 9 only.  The proposed school does not intend to make use of alternative provision.  The proposed school’s proprietor body runs Apex Primary School, which is inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate.

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Information about this inspection

 This was the proposed school’s first pre-registration inspection. It was conducted in parallel with a pre-registration inspection for Apex Secondary School for Girls.  The inspection was conducted with four days’ notice and took place during the summer holidays.  The inspector met with four people, including the proposed school’s headteacher and chair of the proprietor body. He toured the premises and considered a range of evidence to check the likelihood of the proposed school meeting the standards.

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Inspection team

James Waite, lead inspector Ofsted Inspector

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

 2(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if- – 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; and  2(2) For the purposes of paragraph (2)(1)(a), the matters are- – 2(2)(e) for pupils receiving secondary education, access to accurate, up-to-date careers guidance that- – 2(2)(e)(i) is presented in an impartial manner; – 2(2)(e)(ii) enables them to make informed choices about a broad range of career options; and – 2(2)(e)(iii) helps to encourage them to fulfil their potential; – 2(2)(h) that all pupils have the opportunity to learn and make progress; and – 2(2)(i) effective preparation of pupils for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of life in British society.  2A(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor-

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

– 2A(1)(b) ensures that every registered pupil who is provided with secondary education at the school is provided with relationships and sex education, except in so far as the pupil is excused as mentioned in sub-paragraph (2), – 2A(1)(d) in making arrangements for the purposes of paragraphs (a), (b) or (c), has regard to any guidance under section 80A of the Education Act 2002 that applies in relation to the provision of education by maintained schools, – 2A(1)(e) makes and keeps up to date a separate written statement of its policy with regard to the provision of education as required by each of paragraphs (a) and (b), – 2A(1)(f) consults parents of registered pupils at the school before making or revising a statement under sub-paragraph (e), and – 2A(1)(g) publishes a copy of the statement on a website and provides a copy of the statement free of charge to anyone who asks for one.  2A(2) Arrangements made by the proprietor for the purposes of sub-paragraph (1)(b)

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

must ensure that where a pupil’s parent requests that the pupil is wholly or partly excused from sex education provided as part of relationships and sex education, the pupil is so excused until the request is withdrawn, unless or to the extent that the head teacher considers that the pupil should not be so excused.  3 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that the teaching at the school- – 3(f) utilises effectively classroom resources of a good quality, quantity and range.

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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.  12 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.  16 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that- – 16(a) the welfare of pupils at the school is safeguarded and promoted by the drawing up and effective implementation of a written risk assessment policy; and – 16(b) appropriate action is taken to reduce risks that are identified.

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Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors

 20(6) The standard in this paragraph is met in relation to an individual ("MB"), not being the Chair of the school, who is a member of a body of persons corporate or unincorporate named as the proprietor of the school in the register or in an application to enter the school in the register, if- – 20(6)(a) MB – – 20(6)(ii) does not carry out work, or intend to carry out work, at the school in contravention of a prohibition order, an interim prohibition order, or any direction made under section 128 of the 2008 Act or section 142 of the 2002 Act or any disqualification, prohibition or restriction which takes effect as if contained in either such direction.  21(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor keeps a register which shows such of the information referred to in sub-paragraphs (3) to (7) as is applicable to the school in question.  21(3) The information referred to in this sub-paragraph is-

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Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors

– 21(3)(a) in relation to each member of staff ("S") appointed on or after 1st May 2007, whether- – 21(3)(a)(ii) a check was made to establish whether S is barred from regulated activity relating to children in accordance with section 3(2) of the 2006 Act.

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Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

 28(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that- – 28(1)(a) suitable drinking water facilities are provided; – 28(1)(d) the temperature of hot water at the point of use does not pose a scalding risk to users.  28(2) The facilities provided under sub-paragraph (1)(a) will be suitable only if- – 28(2)(a) they are readily accessible at all times when the premises are in use; and – 28(2)(b) they are in a separate area from the toilet facilities.

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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.

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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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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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