Darul Madinah Rochdale Ltd

School pre-registration inspection report

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Darul Madinah Rochdale Ltd (Secondary school) Richmond Hall, Lomax Street, Rochdale OL12 0JR

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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), 2(1)(b)(ii), 2(2), 2(2)(a), 2(2)(b), 2(2)(d) to 2(2)(e)(iii), 2(2)(h), 2(2)(i)  The proprietor has written a suitable curriculum policy. This aims to provide pupils with access to a broad range of academic and vocational subjects. The proposed school has planned for pupils to study subjects which will provide them with linguistic, mathematical, scientific, technological, human and social, physical, aesthetic and creative education.  The proposed school has established schemes of work for each subject it intends to offer. The schemes of work are sufficiently detailed to enable teachers to understand what knowledge pupils should learn. In designing the schemes of work, the proposed school has considered the different aptitudes and special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) which pupils may have.  The proposed school has plans in place to support any pupils who are at an early

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Main inspection findings

stage of reading. The school intends that this reading programme will help pupils to read with fluency and confidence.  The proposed school has appropriate plans in place for pupils’ careers education. It intends to use an impartial careers adviser to support pupils to make informed decisions about their next steps when they leave the school. The programme will also include pupils visiting local colleges and providers. The school intends to make use of range of local employers to support pupils’ decision-making about their futures.  Schemes of work and other documentation suggest that the proposed school will promote fundamental British values. Paragraphs 2A(1), 2A(1)(b), 2A(1)(d) to 2A(2)  The proposed school’s relationships and sex education (RSE) curriculum is well designed. It considers the potential needs of pupils and their possible starting points. It complements the proposed school’s personal, social, health and economic

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Main inspection findings

curriculum. Both curriculums meet the requirements of the statutory guidance.  The proposed school intends to consult with parents and carers before implementing the intended RSE policy. It will ensure that the necessary information is available to parents via the school’s website. Paragraphs 3(a) to 3(j), 4  The proprietor has developed an assessment policy which sets out how pupils’ progress and attainment will be monitored and recorded. The proposed school plans to use baseline assessments to gain a thorough understanding of the needs of pupils with SEND. It intends to use this assessment information to inform any intervention that pupils may need.  The proprietor intends to employ suitably qualified staff to implement the intended curriculum. Where staff may teach outside of their specialism area, they will be provided with appropriate professional development to support them in implementing the curriculum effectively.

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Main inspection findings

 The proposed school has put into place a range of processes to ensure that all pupils with an education, health and care (EHC) plan have their needs reviewed and updated accordingly. These procedures include working with the placing local authority and sharing information as necessary.  The independent school standards (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 Paragraphs 5 to 5(d)(iii)  Thorough consideration has been given to the provision for pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. For example, pupils will learn about different religious festivals and days of remembrance during special weeks and educational visits. Pupils will have opportunities to learn about the differences between people who live in Britain and gain an understanding of the Equality Act 2010.  The proposed school intends teaching on British values to be woven throughout the curriculum. It intends to use assemblies and visiting speakers to discuss different topical issues, celebrate world faiths and discuss important world events which are relevant for pupils.  The behaviour policy focuses on ensuring that relationships between pupils and their peers, and between pupils and staff, are built on mutual respect and tolerance. The

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Main inspection findings

proposed school intends to establish a school council to give pupils an opportunity to shape the school environment.  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 Paragraphs 7 to 7(b), 32, 32(1)(c)  The proposed school has a safeguarding policy which reflects current statutory guidance. The policy will be published on the school’s website.  The proprietor is suitably skilled to ensure that pupils are kept safe while they are at school. The proposed school has an appropriate system to record any safeguarding concerns and actions taken.  The school plans to deliver a range of safeguarding training to staff. This will include annual updates to any statutory documentation. The proprietor has extensive experience of safeguarding policy and procedures. This provides reassurance that the proprietor has the necessary expertise to ensure that pupils at the proposed school will be safe.  The proposed school is aware of possible safeguarding risks to pupils within the local area. It recognises the vulnerabilities that pupils who come to the school may have.

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Main inspection findings

 The proposed school intends, in its curriculum, to ensure that pupils are taught about different ways to keep themselves safe. This will include risks within their local community and when they are online. Paragraphs 9, 9(a) to 9(c), 10  The proprietor has written an appropriate behaviour policy. It sets out clearly the school’s approach to rewards and sanctions. There is a system to record pupils’ behaviour, including any serious incidents. The record-keeping system will allow the proposed school to monitor pupils’ behaviour and attitudes, identifying and patterns or trends. This will enable the school to support pupils who may need help to improve their behaviour.  The proprietor has ensured an effective anti-bullying policy is in place. It indicates how pupils will learn about different types of bullying and seeks to avoid, as much as possible, bullying occurring at the school. Paragraphs 11 to 16(b)

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Main inspection findings

 The proposed school has ensured that there are appropriate health and safety policies in place, including for first aid. The proprietor will ensure that sufficient number of staff receive first-aid training for the number of pupils on roll.  The proprietor has ensured that procedures are in place to ensure compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. It has systems in place to ensure that all required checks are undertaken. For example, all the necessary checks of firefighting equipment are made. The school has established clear procedures for the evacuation of the building in the event of a fire.  The proprietor intends to employ enough staff to ensure that pupils will be supervised well during the school day. The proprietor has established systems to ensure that the school’s admission and attendance registers will comply with the Education (Pupil Registration) Regulations 2024.

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Main inspection findings

 There is a suitable risk assessment policy in place. The proposed school has an appropriate range of risk assessments for the premises and activities which pupils will complete. Risk assessments clearly identify any potential risks and control measures to mitigate the risks.  The standards in this part are likely to be met if the proposed school is granted permission to open. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraphs 18(2) to 18(2)(e), 18(3), 19(1) to 19(2)(d)(ii), 19(3), 20(6) to 20(6)(c), 21(1) to 21(3)(b), 21(5) to 21(5)(a)(ii), 21(5)(c) to 21(6)  The proprietor has put in place an electronic single central record. All required checks on staff working at the school are completed before employment commences. These include medical fitness, the right to work in the UK and qualification checks. Members of the proprietor body have completed safer recruitment training.  The proprietor is clear about what checks would need to be made on supply staff

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Main inspection findings

where necessary.  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 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraphs 23(1) to 23(1)(c), 28(1)(b), 28(1)(d)  There are suitable, separate toilet and washing facilities that are provided for the sole use of pupils. Toilets are lockable from the inside and have an adequate supply of hot and cold water. Checks are made on the water temperature so that it does not pose a scalding risk to pupils or staff.  The proposed school intends to use local leisure facilities for pupils’ physical education. A suitable risk assessment is in place for the use of local facilities. Paragraphs 24(1) to 24(1)(b), 24(2)  The proprietor has ensured that a suitable medical room is available for the care of pupils who are sick or injured. It is suitably equipped and located near a toilet and washing facilities. Paragraphs 25 to 27(b)  The school building is maintained to an acceptable standard. The proprietor has thought carefully about how to use the space inside the building to ensure that it is

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Main inspection findings

appropriate for pupils. It features classroom spaces, a social area and various rooms where assemblies, interventions or pastoral support will be provided.  Classrooms have suitable lighting and acoustics. External lighting is in place around walkways and is also provided by street lighting, which would enable staff and pupils to leave the building safely. Paragraphs 28(1), 28(1)(a), 28(1)(c), 28(2) to 28(2)(b), 29(1) to 29(1)(b)  Pupils can access drinking water from a supply located on each teaching floor of the school. This is always readily available for pupils.  There is a carefully designed outdoor space which will allow pupils to play outside.  The standards in this part are likely to be met if the proposed school is granted permission to open. Part 6. Provision of information Paragraphs 32(1) to 32(1)(d), 32(1)(f) to 32(1)(j), 32(2), 32(2)(a), 32(2)(b)(ii) to 32(3)(f)  The proposed school has a written statement of its aims and ethos.

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Main inspection findings

 The proposed school’s website will contain all relevant and required policies and information required by the standards.  The website will contain the required information about the proprietor, including its address and contact details.  The proposed school has a clear format for reporting termly pupils’ progress and attainment to parents.  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 Paragraphs 33 to 33(k)  The proposed school has a complaints policy which is available to parents and will be published on the school’s website.  The policy sets out the procedures the school will follow if it receives a complaint. It identifies the formal and informal processes. All stages of the complaint process include appropriate timescales.  Information for parents about the next steps they can pursue if they are dissatisfied with the outcome of a complaint is included in the policy, including when they can make a representation to an independent panel and that they can be accompanied by another person if required.  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 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34(1) to 34(1)(c)  The proprietor shares a clear and ambitious vision to provide an inclusive and inspiring education for the pupils the school intends to admit. This vision for the proposed school is shared by all members.  The proprietor intends to recruit a suitably qualified and experienced individual to the role of headteacher before the proposed school opens. This is likely to ensure that this person has the knowledge and skills to carry out their role effectively.  The proprietor is committed to ensuring that all the standards are consistently met. It uses its knowledge and skills in running other independent schools to ensure that this proposed school is likely to meet the standards.  The proprietor will ensure that staff have suitable qualifications and experience to carry out their roles effectively. This includes expertise in working with pupils with

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Main inspection findings

SEND and looked-after children.  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  The proprietor has a suitable accessibility policy in place for the proposed school. The proposed school has systems in place to ensure that adaptations can be made for pupils to access the curriculum.  The proposed school is likely to meet schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010 if it opens.

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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 khalid.mirza@dawateislamiuk.net

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recommendation

Age range of pupils Not applicable 11 to 12 Not applicable Number of pupils on the school roll Not applicable 25 Not applicable

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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 25

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time pupils Not applicable 0 Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities Not applicable Not known

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan [add number] Not known

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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 [add number] Not known

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff Not applicable 6

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time teaching staff Not applicable 0

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Information about this proposed school

 The proposed school is located at Richmond Hall, Lomax Street, Rochdale, OL12 0JR.  It is proposed that the school will provide full-time education for up to 25 girls, aged between 11 and 12 years.  The proprietor is a limited company called Darul Madinah Rochdale Limited. It is made up of two directors.  The proposed school has an Islamic faith ethos.  The proprietor intends to employ a headteacher who will solely work at this school when it opens.  The proprietor intends to establish a governing body at the school.  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 registers the school.  This was the school’s first pre-registration inspection.  This inspection was carried out at the same time as a pre-registration inspection for a proposed primary school at the same site.  The inspector held discussions with a director and the chair of the proprietor body.  The inspector made a tour of the site, both internally and externally, to check the suitability and safety of the premises.  The inspector scrutinised and evaluated a wide range of documents provided by the school, including safeguarding information, statutory policies and the proposed school’s curriculum.

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Inspection team

Andy Cunningham, 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

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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