Cambridge Muslim Secondary School

School pre-registration inspection report

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Cambridge Muslim Secondary School CQC, Radegund Road, Cambridge CB1 3RH

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraph 2(1) to 2(1)(b)(ii), 2(2) to 2(2)(b), 2(2)(d) to 2(2)(e)(iii), 2(2)(g) to 2(2)(i)  The school’s proposed curriculum is designed to ensure that pupils learn a broad range of subjects. It has identified the important knowledge and skills pupils need to know and remember as they move from key stage 3 to key stage 4. The curriculum matches the scope and ambition of the national curriculum. The school is clear that the proposed curriculum will be a starting point and may change and adapt depending on pupils’ needs.  The proprietor understands the need to promote pupils’ personal development. A detailed programme of personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education has been planned. This aims to prepare pupils for the next stage of their lives, for example, by helping them to understand aspects such as healthy relationships or to celebrate difference. The school plans to provide pupils with impartial careers advice

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Main inspection findings

and guidance to help them make informed choices for their future lives. Paragraph 2(A)(1), 2(A)(1)(a) to 2A(2)  There is a well-considered curriculum to develop pupils’ understanding of relationships, sex and health education (RSHE). The school has a written policy for RSHE and has considered the way it can communicate the content of this curriculum with parents and carers. The policy also considers parents’ right to withdraw pupils from the sex education aspect of this curriculum. Paragraphs 3(a) to 3(j) and 4  Staff appointed have appropriate levels of qualifications and subject expertise to teach their areas of the planned curriculum. The acting headteacher and the curriculum leader have significant experience in teaching and curriculum development.  The curriculum schemes of work provide information for teachers and set out the key knowledge to be learned. Each scheme of work includes subject-specific knowledge,

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Main inspection findings

along with certain disciplinary knowledge and skills that are weaved through.  Assessment systems are in place to help teachers check that pupils learn the intended curriculum. Reporting formats have been constructed, with regular reporting times and provision of clear information about a pupil’s progress.  The school is likely to meet all the independent school standards (the standards) in this part.

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Main inspection findings

Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils Paragraph 5, 5(a) to 5(d)(iii)  Opportunities to develop pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development have been mapped out through the curriculum. Pupils will learn about protected characteristics and be guided to develop their understanding of their own religion and the religious beliefs of others.  The school plans to provide pupils with the opportunity to play a role in the local community. Plans such as helping support elderly residents in the community, raising funds for charities and regular visits to the local mosque are all likely to help pupils to develop an understanding of active citizenship.  The school is likely to meet the standards in this part.

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7, 7(a), 7(b)  The school has appointed a trained designated safeguarding lead (DSL). The school understand the need for all staff to receive safeguarding training, and they will undertake this as part of their induction. There are systems in place for staff to record concerns about the welfare of a pupil. These are set out in the school’s safeguarding policy which refers to the current most up-to-date national guidance (Keeping Children Safe in Education 2024). Paragraphs 9, 9(a), 9(b), 9(c) and 10  The school has an appropriate behaviour and anti-bullying policy. This policy clearly sets out the ways in which staff will set high expectations of how pupils will behave. The school plans to provide staff with useful support and guidance through their induction programme. Paragraphs 11, 12 and 13  The proprietor has suitable health and safety policies in place. There is a schedule for

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Main inspection findings

regular checks that the school will undertake, such as regular tests of water temperatures.  The proprietor has ensured that the school is compliant with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. It has used external expertise to update the fire risk assessment. Signs and emergency lighting show the safe exits in case of emergencies. Regular tests of fire alarms are logged and carried out at suitable intervals.  The school has appropriate plans for ensuring the arrangements for first aid are in place. Staff will be trained as part of their induction to administer first aid. Paragraphs 14, 15 and 16  The proprietor demonstrates a clear understanding of how to deploy staff to ensure that pupils are adequately supervised. While many teaching staff will be employed part-time, they will each be responsible for teaching their specialist subject across the school.  The processes and procedures for admissions and attendance are in place. The

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Main inspection findings

admissions register contains the required information. Similarly, the daily attendance registers will ensure that leaders know the pupils who are present.  Risk assessments for many aspects of the school’s work have been written. For example, pupils will walk to the local sports centre for physical education (PE) lessons, and this journey has been carefully considered. If leaders’ risk assessments are implemented effectively, risks are likely to be reduced.  The school is likely to meet the standards in this part.

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Main inspection findings

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 18(2) to 18(2)(e), 18(3), 19(2) to 19(2)(d)(ii), 20(6), 20(6)(a) to 20(6)(c), 21(1) to 21(3)(b), 21(5) to 21(6)  The school has an electronic single central record in place. It contains the required checks that need to be made on staff who are employed in the school. Leaders know the checks that are required on different staff, for example those in management positions, and have systems in place to ensure that these checks are carried out and recorded appropriately.  Leaders do not intend to make use of supply staff at the school. However, they are knowledgeable about the procedures to follow should they wish to use supply staff in the future.  The school is likely to meet all the standards in this part.

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Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 23(1) to 23(1)(c), 24(1) to 24(2), 25 to 29(1)(b)  The proposed school is currently used as a base for the local Muslim community. It has a spacious hall, which can be separated into two teaching spaces. Along with three other classrooms, there is a science laboratory that can be used for simple experiments. The school has in place an agreement to use the science facilities at a local secondary school to carry out more complex scientific investigations, for example those using of Bunsen burners, while they implement plans to refurbish their own laboratory. The whole building is maintained to a good standard.  There is an adequate number of toilets and washing facilities, with water at the appropriate temperature. Drinking water is available and labelled appropriately. The private medical room has a bed and washing facilities.  There is an open space that can be used as a playground or used for some PE. The

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Main inspection findings

school intend to use the local sports centre for some PE lessons including using the facilities for changing.  Rooms have adequate natural light or lighting from artificial sources. Classrooms have suitable acoustics.  The school is likely to meet all the standards in this part.

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Main inspection findings

Part 6. Provision of information Paragraph 32(1)(a) to 32(1)(d), 32(1)(f) to 32(1)(i), 32(2) to 32(3)(g)  The proposed school has provided all required information on its website.  Leaders intend to provide parents and carers with regular reports regarding pupils’ academic and social development. There is a developed reporting format that leaders intend to use for this purpose.  The school is likely to meet the standards in this part.

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Main inspection findings

Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled Paragraph 33, 33(a) to 33(k)  The proprietor has an appropriate policy in place for handling complaints. This is published on the school’s website and is easily accessible for parents.  The policy sets out the different stages of making a complaint and how the school will manage each stage. The school has a system in place to record any complaints it receives, the action taken and subsequent outcomes.  The school is likely to meet the standards in this part.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1), 34(1)(a) to 34(1)(c)  The proprietor and school leaders have demonstrated the required knowledge and skills they need to make sure that the independent school standards will be consistently met.  Further members of the proprietor board are currently being inducted. These members bring with them knowledge around aspects such as finance, health and safety and law.  The proprietor intends to seek external and impartial views of the school’s provision. For example, plans are in place for an external consultant to carry out a review of safeguarding practices and culture soon after the school opens.  The school has appointed leaders with the skills and knowledge to support staff in delivering the curriculum. The curriculum leader and DSL bring a range of experience and knowledge to the school. They will take a lead on staff development and the

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Main inspection findings

quality of education pupils receive.  The school is likely to meet the standards in this part.

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Main inspection findings

Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  The proprietor has put in place an equalities policy that identifies leaders’ responsibilities under the Equality Act 2010. There is an appropriate accessibility plan in place.  The school is likely to meet the requirements of schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010

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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

Proprietor Cambridge Muslim Secondary School Ltd

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Proposed school details

Headteacher Sofia Farooqui (Acting headteacher)

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Proposed school details

Telephone number 01223 243280 Website www.cambridgemuslimsecondaryschool.co. uk

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Proposed school details

Email address info@cambridgemuslimsecondaryschool.co. uk Date of previous standard inspection Not previously inspected

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n

Age range of pupils Not applicable 11 to 16 11 to 16 Number of pupils on the school roll Not applicable 50 50

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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 50

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time pupils Not applicable 0

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities Not applicable 0

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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 0

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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 0

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff Not applicable 1

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time teaching staff Not applicable 12

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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

 The proposed school is seeking registration with the Department for Education (DfE) as an independent school to cater for 50 female pupils between the ages of 11 and 16. The intention is to admit pupils from September 2025.  The school proposes to operate out of the Cambridge Quranic Centre, Radegund Road, Cambridge CB1 3RH. The school will not operate out of any other site.  The proprietor intends to only admit pupils into Years 7 and 8 if the proposed school is granted permission to open.  The school is of an Islamic religious character.  The school does not intend to make use of any alternative provision.

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Information about this inspection

 The Department for Education commissioned the inspection to determine whether the proposed school is likely to meet the independent school standards if it is approved to open.  This was the school’s first pre-registration inspection.  The inspector held discussions with the acting headteacher, who is also the chair of the proprietor body. The inspector also met with the proposed school’s DSL and the curriculum leader.  The inspector visited all parts of the proposed school’s premises, including outdoor areas. The inspector scrutinised school documentation relating to safeguarding, curriculum, health and safety, fire safety and the single central record, alongside other policies and procedures.

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Inspection team

Nathan Lowe, 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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