King of Kings

School progress monitoring inspection report

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King of Kings Derby Road, Salford M6 5YD

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraphs 2, 2(1), 2(1)(a), 2(2), 2(2)(f)  When the school received a progress monitoring inspection in October 2024, these independent school standards (the standards) were found to be unmet. The inspection found that the curriculum had not been fully developed for children below compulsory school age. The school did not consider carefully enough the specific learning that it wanted children to learn during activities, and over time, so that children’s learning needs were met.  The school submitted an action plan in February 2025. In this action plan, the school set out its plans to decide the skills that children need to learn. It intended to produce tick lists to record notes about individual children. The plan also identified the school’s intention to purchase resources for the delivery of the curriculum outdoors, such as materials for dressing up and a sand tray. The school proposed to ask the church for

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Main inspection findings

permission to use some of its land for outdoor learning. However, despite these proposals, the plan did not make clear how the school would ensure that the early years curriculum was suitably ambitious or coherent.  At this progress monitoring inspection, the school has made a number of improvements to the curriculum. For example, the school has ensured that the curriculum reflects the ambition of the early learning goals of the early years foundation stage framework. It now reflects the different developmental needs of children aged from three to five years. Staff have created checklists to help them to check children’s knowledge. However, weaknesses remain in the implementation of this curriculum, in both the indoor and outdoor areas. In particular, opportunities for children to explore resources to make choices for themselves are limited. This hampers children’s ability to practise, consolidate

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Main inspection findings

and connect their learning in readiness for the next stage.  The standards in this part remain unmet. Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7, 7(a), 7(b), 32(1)(c)  At the progress monitoring inspection in October 2024, the inspection found a lack of rigour in the school’s records of concerns about pupils’ welfare. The school had not put in place a systematic approach to the logging of such concerns and incidents, and any subsequent actions. Chronologies lacked the detail needed to provide leaders of safeguarding with a clear overview of safeguarding in the school. This made it more difficult for leaders to identify and respond to any wider concerns. Additionally, it was found that the school did not collate information about the safeguarding training that staff had received. This hindered leaders’ oversight of training.  When the school’s action plan was evaluated in February 2025, it was noted that the

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Main inspection findings

school intended to create a printed form for the logging of concerns. The school also stated its intention to audit the safeguarding file. However, the action plan contained no further detail about what this audit would cover, and how its execution would make sure that the standard is met.  Evidence from this progress monitoring inspection shows that the school has made little progress in its work to improve the quality of its safeguarding records. The school has developed a form for staff to use to record their concerns. However, this form is not used consistently well. Weaknesses remain in the detail and precision of the information recorded. This lack of rigour continues to make it difficult for leaders to develop a clear and accurate picture over time, such as the patterns and trends that could indicate a wider concern.  The proprietor has continued to ensure that a suitable safeguarding policy is in place.

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Main inspection findings

This is published on the school’s website. Paragraph 15  At the progress monitoring inspection in October 2024, this standard was not met. It was found that the school’s admission and attendance registers were not maintained in accordance with the Education (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2006. Furthermore, leaders were not aware of the changes to these regulations in 2024.  When the school’s action plan was evaluated in February 2025, the school set out its proposal to assign to a member of staff the responsibility for maintaining the admissions and attendance registers in line with these regulations. However, the plan did not provide sufficient detail about the improvements that needed to be made in order to comply with these regulations.  At this progress monitoring inspection, the school has made the necessary improvements to the admissions and attendance registers. The admissions register now contains all of

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Main inspection findings

the required information, such as pupils’ names, dates of birth and previous schools. These details are included for all pupils, including children in the early years. Leaders ensure that the correct codes are used when recording pupils’ attendance and absence from school. The registers now comply with the current regulations.  Some of the standards checked in this part remain unmet. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraph 24(1) to 24(1)(b), 24(2)  At the progress monitoring inspection in October 2024, it was found that the proprietor had not set aside suitable accommodation for the short-term care of sick or injured pupils. The proprietor had purchased a portable bed and sink for this purpose, but at the time of the inspection, there was nowhere to accommodate these.  The school’s action plan, evaluated in February 2025, stated the school’s proposal to agree with the church a space to use as a medical room. It was intended that this space

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Main inspection findings

would accommodate the bed and washing facilities.  At this progress monitoring inspection, the school has enacted its intentions. A suitable space has now been made available. It contains washing facilities, and a folding bed with a blanket and pillow for pupils’ comfort. The adjacent toilet also has further washing facilities. This accommodation is now therefore suitable for the short-term care of sick and injured pupils.  The standards in this part are now met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34(1) to 34(1)(c)  At the progress monitoring inspection in October 2024, some standards remained unmet. These standards included those in relation to the quality of education in the early years, to the school’s premises and accommodation, and to the safeguarding, welfare, health and safety of pupils.  When the school’s action plan was evaluated in February 2025, it was found that its proposed actions to improve leadership and management at the school were unlikely, if implemented, to ensure that the standards were met.  Evidence from this progress monitoring inspection shows that the proprietor has made further progress with work to improve the school. For example, the admissions and attendance registers are now compliant with regulations. There is suitable accommodation for the short-term care of sick or injured pupils.  Despite these positive steps, some standards remain unmet. Weaknesses remain in the

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Main inspection findings

quality of education for children in the early years. There is still a lack of rigour in the school’s safeguarding records. In addition, the proprietor has not thought carefully enough about how to ensure, routinely, that all of the standards are met. Overall, the proprietor continues not to demonstrate the knowledge or skills to meet the standards consistently.  The standards in this part remain unmet.

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Main inspection findings

Statutory requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage Requirements 1.18, 3.81  At the progress monitoring inspection in October 2024, the school had not ensured that the curriculum for the early years reflected the different rates at which children develop. Planning had not been adapted to ensure that the school’s practice met children’s individual needs. Furthermore, the proprietor had not ensured that the school’s records of admissions contained all of the required information for children in the early years.  In its action plan, the school stated its intention to consider the sequence of the curriculum as well as ways for children to be able to access the curriculum. However, the action plan did not explain how learning would be based on what children already know and can do.  Evidence gathered during this progress monitoring inspection shows that the school has made further improvements to its curriculum planning for the early years. Due account

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Main inspection findings

has been paid in the curriculum to the needs of children at different ages and stages of development. However, weaknesses remain in the implementation of the curriculum with regard to indoor and outdoor learning. These weaknesses limit the opportunities for children to develop characteristics of effective learning, such as curiosity, perseverance and the ability to think critically.  The proprietor has now, however, ensured that the admissions records for children in the early years include all of the required information.  Overall, some of the statutory requirements of the early years foundation stage continue to be unmet.

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Compliance with regulatory requirements

The school does not meet the requirements of the schedule to The Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014 (‘the independent school standards’) and associated requirements that were checked during this inspection, as set out in the annex of this report. 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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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.

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School details

Email address info@kingofkingsschool.org.uk

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School details

Dates of previous standard inspection 7 to 9 November 2023

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Information about this school

 King of Kings is a Christian faith school. The school provides both a religious and secular education for its pupils.  The school operates from temporary premises at St Luke’s Parish Hall, Derby Road, Salford M6 5YD.  The school’s previous standard inspection took place on 7 to 9 November 2023.  The school is registered to admit up to 50 pupils aged from three to 19. At the time of the inspection, there were 30 pupils on the school roll. There were a small number of pupils in all key stages, including very small numbers in the early years and the sixth form.  The proprietor is The King of Kings School. The chair of the proprietor body is one of the four directors. The school is registered at Companies House and with the Charity Commission.  The school does not make use of any alternative provision for pupils.

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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 other requirements that it was judged to not comply with at its previous inspection.  The school was judged not to comply with the independent school standards at the standard inspection which took place from 7 to 9 November 2023.  This was the school’s second progress monitoring inspection.  Following the last progress monitoring inspection, the Department for Education (DfE) required the school to prepare a statutory action plan. This action plan was evaluated by Ofsted on 19 February 2025. It was judged to be unacceptable and was rejected by the DfE.  The inspection was conducted with no notice.  The inspector met with the headteacher, deputy headteacher, the designated

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Information about this inspection

safeguarding lead and the lead for early years.  The inspector met with the chair of the proprietor body. She also spoke on the telephone with representatives of the local authority.  The inspector looked at curriculum plans and schemes of work and visited the early years provision. She also made a tour of parts of the school’s premises.  The inspector spoke to a group of pupils.  The inspector looked at a wide variety of documentation in relation to the standards and requirements checked.  At the request of the DfE, the inspector 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.

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Inspection team

Mavis Smith, lead inspector His Majesty’s Inspector

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The school does not meet the following independent school standards

Standards that were not met at the previous inspection and remain un-met at 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(2) For the purposes of paragraph (2)(1)(a), the matters are- – 2(2)(f) where the school has pupils below compulsory school age, a programme of activities which is appropriate to their educational needs in relation to personal, social, emotional and physical development and communication and language skills.

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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.

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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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Early Years Foundation Stage

◼ 1.18 In planning and guiding what children learn, practitioners must reflect on the different rates at which children are developing and adjust their practice appropriately. Three characteristics of effective teaching and learning are: • playing and exploring - children investigate and experience things, and ‘have a go’. • active learning - children concentrate and keep on trying if they encounter difficulties, and enjoy achievements. • creating and thinking critically - children have and develop their own ideas, make links between ideas, and develop strategies for doing things.

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Part 3. Welfare, health, and safety of pupils

 15 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that an admission and attendance register is maintained in accordance with the Education (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2006[13].

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Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

 24(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that suitable accommodation is provided in order to cater for the medical and therapy needs of pupils, including- - 24(1)(a) accommodation for the medical examination and treatment of pupils; - 24(1)(b) accommodation for the short-term care of sick and injured pupils, which includes a washing facility and is near to a toilet facility; and  24(2) The accommodation provided under sub-paragraphs (1)(a) and (b) may be used for other purposes (apart from teaching) provided it is always readily available to be used for the purposes set out in sub-paragraphs (1)(a) and (b).

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Early Years Foundation Stage

 3.81 Providers must record the following information for each child in their care: full name; date of birth; name and address of every parent and/or carer who is known to the provider (and information about any other person who has parental responsibility for the child); which parent(s) and/or carer(s) the child normally lives with; and emergency contact details for parents and/or carers. 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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Early Years Foundation Stage

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Early Years Foundation Stage

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Early Years Foundation Stage

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Early Years Foundation Stage

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Early Years Foundation Stage

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Early Years Foundation Stage

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