Marathon Science School

School and boarding progress monitoring inspection report

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Marathon Science School 1–9 Evelyn Street, Surrey Quays, London SE8 5RQ

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this inspection

Boarding provision outcome The school meets all of the national

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraphs 2(1), 2(1)(a), 2(1)(b), 2(1)(b)(i), 3, 3(a), 3(c), 3(d), 3(g)  The previous progress monitoring inspection in February 2024 found that leaders had worked hard to tackle the weaknesses identified at the school’s full inspection in May 2023. Leaders had successfully overhauled the curriculum and were working effectively to raise standards in the quality of education. However, in some subjects, this work had not yet been embedded. Staff were still getting used to changes, and there remained variability in how the curriculum was implemented.  Though leaders’ post-inspection action plan lacked detail, this inspection found that the various positive changes identified in February 2024 are now embedded.  Leaders now consider pupils’ different needs and abilities carefully when designing the curriculum. The curriculum is being implemented consistently well across all subjects.

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Main inspection findings

 As a result of the training leaders have provided, and ongoing monitoring, teachers now routinely check if pupils have remembered the things they have been taught. They carefully adapt their teaching to fill any gaps in learning. This work is supporting pupils to make strong progress.  These independent school standards (the standards) are now met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7 to 7(b), 9  At the request of the registration authority, this inspection additionally considered how well the school manages pupils’ behaviour.  The school’s behaviour policy is clear and implemented well. Inspectors found that pupils generally behave well in class, around the school and in the boarding provision. They are respectful and kind to each other. Occasional misbehaviour is followed up appropriately by staff. The very few incidents of serious misbehaviour resulting in sanctions, including suspension, are appropriately logged.  Pupils spoke positively about behaviour in the school, as well as about the various changes that have been implemented since the previous inspection. They said they felt safe, well cared for and had trusted adults they could go to for guidance and support.  These standards continue to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34(1) to 34(1)(b)  The previous inspection found that proprietors and leaders had worked together effectively to tackle the weaknesses identified at the full inspection in May 2023. Almost all of the previously unmet standards were judged to be met. However, leaders had more work to do to ensure that the standards relating to the quality of education and teaching in the school were met consistently.  Despite the school’s action plan lacking important details of how leaders’ proposed actions would be implemented and monitored, this inspection found that leaders have taken a variety of actions to improve the quality of education. Curriculum thinking and implementation are now consistent, and the many positive changes made since the May 2023 inspection have become embedded.  Overall, leaders are now demonstrating the knowledge and skills appropriate to their

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Main inspection findings

roles. As a result, this standard is now met.

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Main inspection findings

Boarding provision The overall experience of boarders Standard 8  All boarders spoken to say they feel safe and happy in the boarding provision. They know who to talk to when they are worried. Boarders trust that leaders would take firm action to resolve any concerns and keep everyone safe. Staff ensure that boarders abide by appropriate boundaries and learn how to use information technology safely. This helps boarders stay safe in the wider community.  Policies provide clear, comprehensive and up-to-date guidance on safeguarding matters. All staff receive regular training and demonstrate appropriate understanding of safeguarding procedures. Allegations of harm are reported promptly to relevant agencies. Pupils are taught how to keep themselves safe, how to recognise risks and what to do if they have any concerns.

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Main inspection findings

The national minimum standards that were assessed during this inspection Standard 4.4  The quality of sleeping accommodation for boarders is satisfactory. It is well organised and managed. The furniture is maintained in a satisfactory state of repair and provides boarders with plenty of storage space for their possessions. All the bedrooms and corridors have been freshly painted in white. The bedrooms provide boarders with enough privacy.  Boarders’ facilities are maintained in a satisfactory state of cleanliness and repair. Boarders have easy access to sufficient toilet and washing facilities. Boarders reported no issues with sharing these facilities or the water temperature or water pressure in the shower-rooms. Ventilation is sufficient.  Staff complete weekly premises checks. The head of boarding has a thorough oversight of these records, and any repairs identified are completed promptly for both boarding sites.

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Main inspection findings

Leaders have firm plans to complete further refurbishment of boarding provision over the school’s upcoming half-term holiday.  The school now meets this standard. Standard 7.6  Leaders have effective systems for monitoring and storing boarders’ medication. The policy provides clear, comprehensive and up-to-date guidance on administration of medication. There are appropriate medical consent forms from parents and carers. All boarding staff have completed appropriate training in safe handling and administration of medication and show appropriate understanding of the school’s procedures. Leaders have plans for further training by an external qualified nurse. The head of boarding has a robust oversight of medication records, and these are audited weekly.  The school now meets this standard. Standard 2.4  The boarding school’s leaders are fulfilling their responsibilities. They have taken firm actions to address the shortfalls that were identified at the last welfare inspection in

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Main inspection findings

January 2024. The shortfalls relate to maintenance of the boarding accommodation and the management of boarders’ medication.  Leaders have firm plans in place to maintain the satisfactory quality of boarding accommodation and to improve it further. For example, all repairs highlighted at the last inspection have been completed. The school’s trustee visits regularly and oversees the accommodation maintenance records.  The school now meets this standard.

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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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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(1)(b) the written policy, plans and schemes of work- – 2(1)(b)(i) take into account the ages, aptitudes and needs of all pupils, including those pupils with an EHC plan.

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

 3 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that the teaching at the school- – 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; – 3(c) involves well planned lessons and effective teaching methods, activities and management of class time; – 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(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.

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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.

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schools

 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. (Boarding schools: national minimum standard 4.4)

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schools

 All medication is stored safely and securely, and accurate records are kept of its administration. Staff are properly trained to provide the support that pupils need when administrating medicines. Prescribed medicines are given only to the boarders to whom they are prescribed. Boarders allowed to self-medicate are assessed as being sufficiently responsible to do so. Where applicable, schools have regard to government guidance. (Boarding schools: national minimum standard 7.6)

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schools

 The school’s leadership and management fulfil their responsibilities consistently and effectively so that the standards are met. (Boarding schools: national minimum standard 2.4).

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School details

Social care unique reference number SC400622

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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 category Independent boarding school

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School details

Proprietor Seven Hills Educational Trust

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School details

Headteacher Uzeyir Onur and Salih Ezer (Co-Headteachers)

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School details

Date of previous standard inspections 29 to 31 January 2024 (boarding) 10 to 12 May 2023 (education)

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Information about this school

 Marathon Science School is an independent boarding school with an Islamic ethos.  The school is registered for up to 120 boys aged 10 to 19 years. At the time of this inspection, there were no pupils aged under 11 or over 16 on roll.  The school’s last education inspection was a progress monitoring inspection in February 2024. This followed the most recent standard inspection in May 2023. Both inspections found the school did not meet the standards.  The school’s last social care inspection was a full boarding inspection in January 2024. The inspection found the boarding provision did not meet some of the national minimum standards.  The school makes no use of alternative provision.

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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 national minimum standards for boarding schools that it was judged to not comply with at its previous inspections.  This was an integrated inspection. It comprised both the school’s second progress monitoring inspection since its last full education inspection in May 2023 and its first social care inspection since the full boarding school inspection in January 2024.  The inspection was conducted without notice.  Following the school’s most recent inspection in February 2024, leaders were asked to submit an action plan. This was judged by Ofsted to be not acceptable in June 2024 and was subsequently rejected by the Department for Education.  The focus of the inspection was to check whether the school complied with particular

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Information about this inspection

requirements of the standards and national minimum standards for boarding schools. Inspectors were also asked to consider the school’s arrangements for meeting the standard relating to pupils’ behaviour.  Inspectors held meetings with the headteacher and other leaders, including those responsible for safeguarding and the boarding provision. They toured the premises together and reviewed a range of documents. Inspectors met with groups of pupils and staff, visited lessons and considered a range of evidence, including pupils’ work, policies, curriculum plans and risk assessments.  The inspection also considered the school’s safeguarding arrangements, including the single central record of pre-employment checks and whether the school’s safeguarding policy is available to parents and carers. These requirements of the standards continue to be met.

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Inspection team

James Waite, lead inspector Ofsted Inspector

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Inspection team

Dorothy Thompstone Social Care 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

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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