Nuqtah Primary School

School pre-registration inspection report

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Nuqtah Primary School 235 Ashfield Road, Rochdale OL11 1QH

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraphs 2, 2(1)(a) to 2(1)(b)(ii), 2(2), 2(2)(a) to 2(2)(d)(ii), 2(2)(h), 2(2)(i)  The curriculum policy is underpinned by suitable plans and schemes of work for each subject. The proposed school’s curriculum plans contain the necessary details about what pupils will learn and when they will learn this knowledge. Pupils will learn a broad range of subjects based on the national curriculum and the requirements of the independent school standards (the standards). These subjects will include history geography, art and design, design and technology and science. They will also include physical education (PE).  The proposed curriculum places sufficient importance on the teaching of reading, writing, speaking, and listening, and mathematics. For example, the proprietor has carefully considered how pupils who are in the early stages of learning to read will be supported to gain the phonics knowledge they need to read with confidence and

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Main inspection findings

fluency.  The proposed school has given careful thought to how personal, social; health and economic education will be taught. The scheme of work sets out clearly what pupils will learn. The intended curriculum covers a wide range of topics that pay regard to the protected characteristics as set out in the Equality Act 2010.  The proprietor intends for the school to offer a secular curriculum which will be underpinned by an Islamic faith ethos. In addition, religious education will be taught as a discrete subject and will incorporate knowledge about faiths other than Islam.  There are appropriate resources available to support the delivery of the curriculum in a range of subjects. Paragraphs 2A(1), 2A(1)(a), 2A(1)(d) to 2A(1)(g), 2A(2)  The proprietor has taken the relevant statutory guidance into consideration when planning the curriculum for relationships and sex education (RSE) and health education. The proprietor is cognisant of the potential challenge of teaching all the

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Main inspection findings

content required by law within an Islamic faith context. There are clear plans in place for consultation with parents and carers to allay any concerns within the community. The proposed school will offer pupils their full entitlement to RSE and health education. Paragraphs 3, 3(a) to 3(j)  There is a package of training for staff to ensure that all subjects in the curriculum are taught in line with the proprietor’s high expectations. There are suitable resources in place to support the delivery of each subject curriculum. The proprietor has ensured that appointed staff have knowledge of how to support pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities to learn the curriculum well.  The proprietor has made careful recruitment choices to ensure that leaders have the expertise they need to design and monitor the implementation of the curriculum. The proprietor, headteacher and deputy headteacher have the knowledge, skills, and

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Main inspection findings

experience to check the curriculum is supporting pupils to learn well. They have a wide range of experience and expertise in education. They understand what effective teaching looks like. The proprietor has robust quality assurance systems in place. There are clear lines of accountability.  The proprietor has ensured that there is suitable staff induction training in place regarding managing pupils’ behaviour that is aligned to the school’s behaviour policy. Paragraph 4  The proprietor has ensured that there is a suitable assessment policy in place. Staff will assess pupils when they join the school. Pupils will also be assessed on an ongoing basis to ensure that the support they receive helps them to learn well. The proprietor has set out how the school will communicate important information about pupils’ attainment and progress with parents.  Pupils will work towards recognised assessments at the end of Year 6.

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Main inspection findings

 The standards in this part are likely to be met if the proposed school opens.

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Main inspection findings

Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development of pupils Paragraphs 5, 5(a), 5(b) to 5(b)(vii), 5(c), 5(d) to 5(d)(iii)  The proposed curriculum shows clear consideration for pupils’ spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development. This work will be supported by a range of planned educational trips and visitors to the school. Curriculum plans demonstrate how pupils will build new knowledge at each stage of their learning.  The proposed curriculum sets out what pupils will learn about different faiths, cultures, and religions. This includes where pupils will learn to appreciate and celebrate similarities and differences. The proprietor has carefully thought about how pupils will learn about fundamental British values. This is central to the school’s aims in preparing pupils for life in modern Britain.  Policies, such as the behaviour policy, show the proposed school’s intentions for pupils

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Main inspection findings

to learn the importance of mutual respect and tolerance. The proposed policies and plans set out how pupils will learn about opposing views in a balanced and impartial way.  The standard in this part is likely to be met if the proposed school opens.

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health, and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7, 7(a), 7(b)  Appointed staff have the safeguarding knowledge they need to keep pupils safe from harm. The proprietor has set out robust procedures for checking that there is a strong culture of safeguarding if the school opens. Systems and procedures to keep pupils safe are in place. There is a comprehensive package of safeguarding training planned for all staff. The headteacher is the designated safeguarding lead and the deputy headteacher is deputy designated safeguarding lead. Both have the necessary training to fulfil these roles.  The safeguarding policy reflects the most recent government guidance and will be published on the proposed school’s website. The staff code of conduct sets out the expectations for staff, including how to raise concerns about other adults who work in the school. Paragraphs 9, 9(a) to 9(c), 10  There is a suitable behaviour policy in place, as well as an anti-bullying policy. These

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Main inspection findings

policies set out with clarity how any incidents of poor behaviour or bullying will be dealt with. There is an appropriate system in place to record any incidents of poor behaviour or bullying. Paragraphs 11, 12, 13, 16, 16(a) to 16(b)  The proprietor has put a suitable health and safety policy in place. It has ensured compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. For example, the proprietor contracts an external specialist to check firefighting equipment and emergency systems and carry out fire risk assessments. Clear signage is visible for all emergency exit routes. In addition to this, maps of the emergency exit routes are displayed throughout the building. The school plans to carry out regular fire drills.  The proprietor has put a suitable first-aid policy in place. There will be an appropriate number of staff with relevant first-aid qualifications, including paediatric first aid.

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Main inspection findings

Furthermore, the proprietor has paid due regard to the safe storage of medication and recording systems for the administration of first aid and medication.  The proprietor has ensured that the proposed school identifies, and has systems to monitor, risks as set out in the risk assessment policy. There are suitable risk assessments in place. Samples of these risk assessments show that leaders suitably identify risks and draw up appropriate plans to mitigate them, for example when pupils will visit the local park. Paragraph 14  There will be a sufficient number of staff deployed to supervise pupils on the school site, including during social times. Additional appropriate consideration has been given to the supervision of pupils at the start and end of the school day. Paragraph 15  There is a suitable admissions policy in place. The proposed school has systems in place to register pupils’ attendance. The proposed school’s systems enable senior

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Main inspection findings

leaders to monitor any periods of pupils’ absence. These systems and policies pay due regard to the requirements set out in the School Attendance (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2024.  The standards in this part are likely to be met if the proposed school opens.

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Main inspection findings

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 18(2), 18(2)(a) to 18(e), 18(3), 19(2), 19(2)(a) to 19(2)(d), 19(3), 20(6), 20(6)(a) to 20(6)(c), 21(1), 21(2), 21(3), 21(3)(a) to 21(3)(b), 21(5), 21(5)(a), 21(5)(c), 21(6)  An electronic single central record (SCR) is in place. The SCR contains all of the necessary information about the recruitment checks made on new staff. The proprietor has a strong understanding of the necessary checks that need to be made for new staff, volunteers, contractors, and members of the proprietor body.  The proposed school makes sure that the checks are completed satisfactorily before staff commence employment. The school does not intend to use agency staff. It is clear about its responsibilities to check the suitability of such staff if this is required in the future.  The SCR contains space to record any overseas background checks should they be

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Main inspection findings

required. The proprietor understands this requirement and how the checks would be completed if required.  The headteacher, deputy headteacher and chair of the proprietor body have completed relevant safeguarding training, including in safer recruitment procedures.  The planned induction package of training for new staff includes a focus on safeguarding, as well as ensuring that staff understand the potential contextual risks to pupils’ welfare and safety.  The standards in this part are likely to be met if the proposed school opens.

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Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraph 25  The proposed school is set in a two-storey building. The accommodation is clean and well maintained. The accommodation includes seven designated teaching spaces, a hall, which will be used for assemblies, prayer and as a dining area, a medical room, a library, office spaces, pupil and staff toilet and washing facilities and a secure outdoor area to the rear. There is a secure main entrance at the rear of the school, which includes the designated area where pupils will be dropped off at the school and collected. The proprietor has considered and put in place measures so that the premises are suitable for the education of young children. For example, windows on the first floor have been fitted with restrictors. Paragraphs 23(1), 23(1)(a) to 23(1)(c), 28(1), 28(1)(a) to 28(1)(d), 28(2), 28(2)(a) to 28(2)(b)  There are adequate toilet and washing facilities, including an accessible toilet. Toilet

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Main inspection findings

cubicles can be locked from the inside. Drinking-water is labelled clearly. Hot water is set at a safe temperature for young children to avoid the risk of scalding. Pupils can access drinking-water throughout the school day. Paragraphs 24(1), 24(1)(a) to 24(1)(b)  There is a medical room that is located near to toilet and washing facilities. The room contains an appropriate sink and bed. There are adequate first-aid supplies, as well as safe storage for medication. Paragraphs 26, 27, 27(a), 27(b)  The proposed school is well lit. Classrooms and other teaching spaces have suitable acoustics. Paragraphs 29(1), 29(1)(a), 29(1)(b)  There is a secure external area to the rear of the proposed school that pupils can use during social times. The proprietor has ensured that use of this space has been timetabled to include staggered lunchtimes and breaktimes to accommodate the proposed number of pupils.  The proposed school’s outdoor space allows for pupils to take part in PE. The school

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Main inspection findings

plans to utilise some local facilities to further enhance the PE provision. Suitable risk assessments are in place that are likely to ensure pupils’ safety and welfare when using these facilities.  The standards in this part are likely to be met if the proposed school opens.

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Main inspection findings

Part 6. Provision of information Paragraphs 32(1) to 32(1)(d), 32(1)(f) to 32(1)(k), 32(2) to 32(2)(d), 32(3) to 32(3)(g)  The website for the proposed school contains all the policies that parents may need, including the safeguarding policy. The contact details for the headteacher and the chair of the proprietor body are made available. The proprietor understands the requirement to publish inspection reports on the school’s website when they are available.  The proposed school plans to provide termly and annual reports on pupils’ progress, attainment, and attendance to parents.  The standard in this part is likely to be met if the proposed school opens.

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Main inspection findings

Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled Paragraphs 33, 33(a) to 33(k)  The school’s complaints policy meets the requirements of the standards. It sets out the process for making a complaint, both at an informal and formal stage. The policy sets out appropriate timescales and what complainants can expect regarding ongoing communication.  A copy of the complaints policy is available on the proposed school’s website. It is also available from the school on request.  The standard in this part is likely to be met if the proposed school opens.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34(1) to 34(1)(c)  The proprietor has an appropriate knowledge of the standards. It has set out how it will make regular checks to ensure ongoing compliance with the standards.  Appointed leaders have the knowledge and expertise they need to ensure that pupils receive a good-quality education. The proprietor is likely to fulfil its responsibilities to promote the well-being of pupils.  The standard in this part is likely to be met if the proposed school opens.

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Main inspection findings

Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  The proprietor has ensured that the school has a suitable accessibility plan which meets the requirements of schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010.

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Main inspection findings

Statutory requirements of the early years foundation stage  There is an appropriate curriculum in place for the early years. This covers the seven areas of learning and development that are required. The proprietor has ensured that children will have planned outdoor activities on a daily basis.  While the indoor provision for the early years is well resourced, it is not sufficiently spacious for the number of children that the proprietor intends.  Qualified and experienced staff have been appointed to teach within the early years class. There are suitable plans for transition to and from the early years. The appointed staff have the knowledge required to make effective use of assessment to support children’s learning and development needs.  The proposed school has systems in place to keep parents up to date with their children’s progress and development, including an electronic tool for sharing this

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Main inspection findings

information.  There are suitable, hygienic changing and toilet facilities in place for children.

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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.

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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 ymaster@educatingexcellence.co.uk

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recommendation

Age range of pupils Not applicable 4 to 11 4 to 11 Number of pupils on the school roll Not applicable 126 116

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recommendation

Reason for inspector’s recommendations  The inspector is recommending that up to eight children are accommodated in the proposed Reception Year classroom. This is to ensure that the proposed school meets the minimum indoor space requirements as set out in the early years statutory framework. Currently, the proposed classroom for the Reception Year class is not sufficient to accommodate the school’s proposed 18 children.

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Gender of pupils Not applicable Mixed Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age Not applicable 126

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time pupils Not applicable None

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School’s current position School’s proposal

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

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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 As required

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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 As required

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 4 9

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time teaching staff None None

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision None 1

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Information about this proposed school

 This proposed independent school is located at 235 Ashfield Road, Rochdale, OL11 1QH. It is housed in a refurbished two-storey building.  It is proposed that the school will provide full-time education for up to 126 mixed- gender pupils, aged between four and 11 years.  Pupils will be able to join the school from the Reception Year.  The proposed school will have an Islamic faith ethos.  The proprietor is Central Mosque Rochdale. This company is registered at Companies House. There are seven directors. One of the directors is the chair of the proprietor body.  The proprietor intends that there will be a governing body. The proposed chair of the governing body is currently the chair of the proprietor body.  A headteacher, a deputy headteacher and two further teachers are in post.  The proprietor does not intend to use any alternative provision.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was commissioned by the Department for Education (DfE) to determine if the school is likely to meet the standards if the DfE decides to approve the request to register this school.  This was the school’s first pre-registration inspection.  The inspector held discussions with the chair of the proprietor body, the headteacher and the deputy headteacher.  The inspector made a tour of the school site, both internally and externally, to check the suitability and safety of the premises. She also looked at a wide range of documents and policies, including those related to the curriculum, behaviour and health and safety. The inspector also checked documents relating to safeguarding, including the SCR.

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Inspection team

Rebecca Jewitt, 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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