Al Khair Primary School

Al Khair Primary School 61/63 Oak Way Green, Off Causeway Green Road, Oldbury, West Midlands B68 8LR

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inspection report:

Overall outcome The school is likely to meet the relevant independent school standards if the material change relating to the school provision is implemented

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inspection report:

This inspection was commissioned by the Department for Education (DfE), which is the registration authority for independent schools. The school has applied to the DfE to make a material change to its registration. The school proposes to change the maximum number of pupils attending.

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inspection report:

The purpose of the inspection is to advise the Secretary of State for Education about the school’s likely compliance with the independent school standards that are relevant to the material change that the school has applied to make.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

When we carry out material change inspections of independent schools, we report on the school’s likely compliance with part 8 of the independent school standards first. Under part 8, the proprietor is required to ensure that the school meets all of the independent school standards consistently. The standard in part 8 is intended to ensure that the quality of leadership and management at the school is sufficient for that purpose.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

The school is currently operating at full pupil capacity with no ability to admit additional pupils without going above the current maximum number of pupils permitted. Leaders demonstrate a secure understanding of the independent school standards (the standards) and have ensured that these have been consistently met over time. They have carefully considered the impact an increase of 35 pupils is likely to have on the school’s work. Leaders have put in place measures that appropriately manage the effects of increasing the number of pupils on roll without detriment to the school’s current provision.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

The standard in these paragraphs is likely to be met by the school if the DfE decides to approve the implementation of the material change.

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Safeguarding

The school has appropriate arrangements in place to keep pupils safe from harm. Staff are vigilant and act promptly on any concerns regarding pupils’ safety or wellbeing. Staff receive a range of training to keep them informed about key developments in safeguarding. They are knowledgeable about the current issues pupils may encounter, such as gang involvement and the risks associated with playing online games. The personal, social and health education includes topics that help pupils to keep themselves safe. Pupils demonstrate a good understanding of these topics. Pupils report feeling safe in school; they have a trusted adult to speak to if they have any worries or concerns.

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Safeguarding

Staff keep a confidential, secure log of all safeguarding concerns relating to pupils, however, seemingly minor. While this includes a description of the concern, leaders’ decision-making and subsequent actions are sometimes less well documented. This issue should be resolved once the school finalises transferring from a paper-based system to an electronic commercial system. Training has been arranged to ensure that all staff are familiar with the new system.

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Supervision of pupils

Pupils are supervised well, with adequate ratios of staff to pupils in place. The current staffing levels are sufficient to cope with the proposed increase in pupil numbers.

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Health and safety and fire

The school has put in place a wide range of appropriate measures to ensure the health and safety of pupils, staff and visitors. The school has a suitable, up-to-date health and safety policy, which sets out expectations for maintaining a safe working school environment. The current arrangements remain appropriate for the proposed increase in the number of pupils on roll.

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Health and safety and fire

The school had a recent fire risk assessment, which was completed by a competent person. Leaders rectified, without delay, all high-risk issues identified as part of the risk assessment. For example, hazardous or combustible materials are now appropriately stored. A few outstanding medium-term risks remain unresolved. However, these issues are planned to be addressed within the risk assessment’s prescribed 3-month timescale. These include a faulty hinge on a fire door and an internal classroom fire door with a small hole in the frame. Leaders carry out checks on fire fighting equipment at appropriate intervals, including an annual emergency lighting check. There is a suitable emergency evacuation procedure.

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Risk assessment

The school has a suitable risk assessment policy. Leaders have identified a range of common risks associated with regular school activities, for example trips to the library. Leaders identify hazards, note the potential risks, list current control measures then add further measures to lower the risk. Leaders have considered the proposed increase in pupil numbers and any potential additional risks, for example the impact on fire evacuation with increased numbers of pupils.

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Risk assessment

The standards in these paragraphs are likely to be met by the school if the DfE decides to approve the implementation of the material change.

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The recruitment checks made on staff, supply staff and the proprietor

Leaders have carried out the required recruitment checks to ensure that staff and volunteers are suitable to work with children. However, at the time of the inspection, there were a few minor errors on the single central record. For example, while identification checks had been undertaken, they were only recorded in personnel files. Leaders had not transferred this information on to the single central record. In another instance, some dates recorded reflected the date a certificate was issued, rather than the date when the check was made. These errors were rectified before the end of the inspection. These shortcomings did not impact on pupils’ safety and wellbeing.

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The recruitment checks made on staff, supply staff and the proprietor

Leaders ensure that medical checks are completed and references are sought for new employees.

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The single central record of these recruitment checks

The school maintains an accurate electronic record of the relevant recruitment checks. This record is periodically checked by the safeguarding governor.

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The single central record of these recruitment checks

The standards in these paragraphs are likely to be met by the school if the DfE decides to approve the implementation of the material change.

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Toilet and washing facilities, water supply

The school has suitable toilet and washing facilities, including separate boys’ and girls’ toilets. Sinks have mixer taps with a hot and cold feed; water is at a constant warm temperature. The water does not present a scalding risk. There are an adequate number of toilets for the proposed increase in the number of pupils. The school has a toddler training seat, if required, for the youngest children. There is a separate staff toilet. A drinking water dispenser is located centrally within the building, and easily accessible to all pupils. Drinking water is labelled appropriately.

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Medical room and accommodation for pupils’ therapy needs

The school has a suitable medical room for those pupils who are sick or injured. This room also serves as an administration base, where the photocopier is housed. The room is equipped with a sink that has hot and cold running water, medical supplies and a bed for sick pupils. A toilet is located a short, direct distance from the medical room. The school does not currently cater for any pupils with complex medical needs.

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Ensuring the health, safety and welfare of pupils

The school implements its policy and practice relating to health and safety effectively to ensure that the building is a safe environment for pupils and staff. Leaders have recently invested in repairing outdoor hard-surface areas with new paving slabs to eliminate trip hazards. The building and classrooms are typically in a reasonable state of repair.

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Lighting and acoustic conditions

Classrooms have a combination of natural and artificial light sources that provide sufficient light for teaching and learning activities. Classroom acoustics are appropriate and support pupils in hearing information and communicating clearly. Outdoor lighting enables easy entry to, and egress from, the school building.

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Outdoor space

The school grounds include a dedicated space for early years provision, as well as a mix of hard-surfaced and grassed areas for pupils to play and socialise. These grounds allow sufficient space to accommodate the proposed increase in pupil numbers. The standards in these paragraphs are likely to be met by the school if the DfE decides to approve the implementation of the material change.

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Part 6. Provision of information

The school has published a copy of its safeguarding policy on the school’s website.

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Part 6. Provision of information

The requirement in this part is likely to be met by the school if the DfE decides to approve the implementation of the material change.

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The school’s accessibility plan

The school has a current accessibility plan which meets the requirements of schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010.

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Statutory requirements of the early years foundation stage

Leaders have ensured that the school meets the relevant aspects of the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the early years foundation stage statutory framework. Leaders have ensured that staffing arrangements meet the required staff-to-child ratios for early years children. The current numbers of staffing are sufficient to meet the needs of the proposed increase in pupil numbers. Similarly, leaders have adequate numbers of staff with the necessary approved qualifications at level 3 or above.

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Statutory requirements of the early years foundation stage

The current organisation of the 8 classrooms organised by year group is not fit for purpose to accommodate additional children into the early years. The overall floor space of the current Reception classroom is not large enough to accommodate additional children. However, the headteacher intends to change the organisation of classrooms so a larger classroom is used for Reception-age children. If the planned reorganisation occurs, the classroom would be sufficient for Reception- age children. It would adhere to the indoor space requirements specified in the early years foundation stage statutory framework.

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Statutory requirements of the early years foundation stage

The safeguarding and welfare requirements of the early years foundation stage statutory framework are likely to be met by the school if the DfE decides to approve the implementation of the material change.

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About this inspection

Inspectors carried out this inspection under section 162(4) of the Education Act 2002, at the request of the registration authority for independent schools. Inspectors checked the school’s likely compliance with the independent school standards. These are the requirements set out in the schedule to the Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014.

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About this inspection

Following our renewed inspection framework, all inspections are now led by His Majesty’s Inspectors (HMIs) or by Ofsted Inspectors (OIs) who have previously served as HMIs.

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About this inspection

Inspectors spoke with the headteacher, the deputy designated safeguarding leads, the school business manager and a representative of the proprietor.

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About this inspection

The inspector confirmed the following information about the school:

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About this inspection

This school is registered as having a Muslim religious ethos.

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About this inspection

The school uses no alternative provision.

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About this inspection

The headteacher informed the lead inspector that the age range on the DfE’s website, ‘Get Information About Schools (GIAS)’ was incorrect (showing ages 2 to 11 years). The headteacher stated that they had tried to amend the age range on GIAS to ages 3 to 11, but to no avail. Similarly, GIAS recorded 85 pupils on roll – this was also incorrect. This information was shared with the DfE on the day of the inspection.

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About this school

Proprietor Qasim Rashid Ahmad Headteacher Mr Sajad Akram Type of school Other independent school Capacity 70 Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age on roll Number of part-time pupils of compulsory school age on roll Age range of pupils 3 to 11 Gender of pupils Mixed Annual fees for day pupils £3,600 Email address admin.oldbury@alkhairschool.org.uk providing education and skills for children and learners of all ages, and inspects and regulates services that care for children and young people

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About this school

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About this school

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About this school

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About this school

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

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