Apex Secondary School for Girls

School pre-registration inspection report

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

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided All paragraphs  At the previous pre-registration inspection, some of the paragraphs in this part were judged not to be met. Since then, the proposed school has completed further work on its curriculum proposals.  The school has now designed a curriculum that leaders want pupils to follow across all subjects they intend to teach. They have ensured there are suitable resources in place to support the delivery of the proposed curriculum.  The school now has a clear curriculum policy that reflects the curriculum that pupils will follow. This curriculum is broad, as required by the independent school standards (the standards). For example, in addition to English, mathematics and science, pupils will also study history, geography, physical education (PE), Arabic, computing and business studies, religious education, Islamic studies, citizenship and art. The school has developed schemes of work in these subjects for all year groups. The school has

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Main inspection findings

also invested in suitable resources to support the delivery of the intended curriculum.  The school has a clear training programme in place to support teaching staff with the delivery of the intended curriculum.  The curriculum documentation considers pupils’ different ages and abilities. This includes provision for any pupils who may have an education, health and care (EHC) plan. The school has designed an appropriate assessment policy and a suitable system to report on pupils’ progress to parents and carers on an annual basis.  Leaders have already recruited some subject specialist staff to deliver the proposed curriculum in advance of opening the school. The classrooms are well equipped and suitable. The school has invested in appropriate teaching resources to deliver the proposed curriculum. School leaders plan to test pupils’ prior knowledge on entry to the school so that they can adapt the curriculum as necessary. There is also a system

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Main inspection findings

to check pupils’ learning and achievement over time.  Leaders have planned a suitable curriculum for personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education. This includes age-appropriate relationships and sex education and pays due regard to fundamental British values and equality.  Since the last pre-registration inspection, the school has developed detailed plans on how it intends to provide pupils with regular careers information, advice and guidance. These plans include the provision of unbiased and up-to-date careers information. This will support pupils with their next steps in education or the world of work.  The standards in this part are likely to be met if the proposed school is granted permission to open.

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Main inspection findings

Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils All paragraphs  The proposed school has a planned curriculum for personal development which includes weekly PSHE education lessons for all year groups. Leaders plan to have weekly assemblies and a range of educational visits. The school intends to encourage all pupils to respect differences, learn about different faiths and cultures and be well prepared for life in modern Britain.  The school plans to run some enrichment activities. These include some clubs and a pupil-led school council. It plans for the pupils to take part in local sport competitions with other schools.  Leaders are aware of their duty to ensure that teachers, guests and visitors do not present partisan political views. They plan to carefully vet any materials guest visitors share with the pupils. The school’s spiritual, moral, social and cultural policy makes it

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Main inspection findings

clear that no member of staff or visitor may promote partisan political views.  The standards in this part are likely to be met if the proposed school is granted permission to open.

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils All paragraphs  At the previous pre-registration inspection, some of the paragraphs in this part were judged not to be met. Since then, the proposed school has completed further work on compliance with fire safety legislation and on the risk assessment policy and procedures.  Leaders who will be responsible for safeguarding have already completed the appropriate training. They demonstrate a secure understanding of their role and statutory responsibilities. There is a clear structure to oversee the work the safeguarding team will do.  School leaders and relevant staff are trained in safer recruitment and know the requirements of the statutory guidance for pre-employment checks on members of staff. The single central record of vetting checks on adults is compliant.  The school’s plans to supervise pupils are likely to be appropriate. There is a timetable to ensure that pupils will always be supervised at breaktimes and lunchtimes and

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Main inspection findings

when moving between floors in the school. This includes when using communal spaces, which at other times may be used by pupils from the boys school that is proposed to operate in the same building.  The school’s admission and attendance registers are likely to be compliant with the requirements of the Education (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2006.  The proposed school’s behaviour and anti-bullying policies are clear and, if implemented well, are likely to be effective. Leaders have a clear process in place so that they can record consequences.  During the inspection, inspectors saw the confirmation of sign-off from the building control officer. All building works are now complete.  The school’s health and safety policy is appropriate.  The school has had an external fire risk assessment. Inspectors saw the report and leaders’ actions to address some of the findings and recommendations. The school

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Main inspection findings

has up-to-date relevant commissioning certificates for the emergency lighting and electrical compliance across the building.  The school has a suitable first-aid policy. An appropriate number of staff have received first-aid training. The processes for managing and recording accidents, injuries and medication are likely to be suitable.  The school has a suitable risk assessment policy and written risk assessments. The risk assessment policy is detailed and fit for purpose. Appropriate written risk assessments of regular activities, such as PE at the local leisure centre, were made available during the inspection.  The standards in this part are likely to be met if the proposed school is granted permission to open.

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Main inspection findings

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors All paragraphs  At the previous pre-registration inspection, the proposed school’s single central record was incomplete. There were no prohibitions from management checks for trustees nor barred list checks for staff.  Staff involved in recruitment have now received appropriate training and they make sure that all required checks are completed and recorded on the single central record.  The school has already recruited staff in addition to the headteacher and assistant headteacher. There are also trustees involved in the school from Apex Trust.  The proposed school’s single central record includes all staff already recruited, including trustees from Apex Trust. Leaders have completed all the required checks on staff and trustees and they are all recorded on the single central record. These checks include those previously missing.  The standards in this part are likely to be met if the proposed school is granted

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Main inspection findings

permission to open. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools All paragraphs  The school’s facilities are appropriate for their intended use. The building has recently been converted from an office space into a school and is well maintained. There are enough classrooms and toilets to accommodate the expected number of pupils.  The classrooms are bright, benefiting from natural light, and are spacious enough for classes of up to 25 pupils. The building is well lit both inside and out.  Drinking water is readily available throughout the school and clearly marked. The toilets have hot and cold running water, with safeguards in place to prevent scalding.  There is outdoor space for pupils to play, and the school is conveniently located next to Valentines Park and a short distance from a leisure centre, where PE classes will be held.  There is a suitable medical room situated close to the washing and toilet facilities.

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Main inspection findings

 The standards in this part are likely to be met if the proposed school is granted permission to open.

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Main inspection findings

Part 6. Provision of information All paragraphs  The school has a dedicated website for the secondary school that is part of the trust’s main website. This page includes all necessary information required by the standards, such as policies and the names and contact details of both the headteacher and the chair of the trust.  Leaders are aware of their statutory duties should pupils with EHC plans attend the proposed school.  The standards in this part are likely to be met if the proposed school is granted permission to open.

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Main inspection findings

Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled All paragraphs  The proposed school has a comprehensive complaints policy that fulfils the requirements of this part. Leaders have prepared a log for the recording of both informal and formal complaints.  If implemented well, leaders’ proposed procedure is likely to ensure that informal and formal complaints are managed appropriately.  The standards in this part are likely to be met if the proposed school is granted permission to open. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools All paragraphs  At the previous pre-registration inspection, the paragraphs in this part were not likely to be met fully and consistently. However, since that time, leaders and trustees have addressed the issues raised by inspectors.  The leaders at both the school and the trust have substantial experience in education. The trust operates an independent primary school and is well acquainted with the

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Main inspection findings

relevant standards. Members of the trust understand their responsibilities and how to meet those standards consistently. They have taken steps to address the standards that were previously not likely to be met during the pre-registration inspection, making it more likely that they will now be achieved.  The standards in this part are likely to be met if the proposed school is granted permission to open.

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Main inspection findings

Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  There is a suitable accessibility policy and action plan which meets the requirements of schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010.  This requirement is likely to be met.

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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

Date of previous standard inspection Not previously inspected

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Pupils

School’s current position School’s proposal Inspector’s recommendation Age range of pupils Not applicable 11 to 16 11 to 16 Number of pupils on the school roll Not applicable 125 125

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Gender of pupils Not applicable Girls 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 girls. It has an Islamic ethos and will cater for girls aged 11 to 16. The proprietor body plans to operate this school and another proposed school. Apex Secondary School for Boys, from the same building. The proprietor body plans to open both schools initially to pupils in Years 7 to 9 only.  The school will be located at 287 Cranbrook Road, Ilford IG1 4UA.  The school does not intend to make use of alternative provision.  The 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 second pre-registration inspection. It was conducted in parallel with a pre-registration inspection for Apex Secondary School for Boys. The inspection was conducted with two days’ notice.  The proposed school’s previous pre-registration inspection was conducted on 21 August 2024.  Inspectors met with the headteacher, the assistant headteacher and other staff. Inspectors also met with the chair of the proprietor body and a member of the trust.  Inspectors 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

Aliki Constantopoulou, lead inspector His Majesty’s Inspector

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Inspection team

Guy Forbat 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

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.

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Inspection team

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 .

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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

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

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