Azhar Academy Girls School

Azhar Academy Independent school progress monitoring inspection report

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DfE registration number 316/6064 Unique Reference Number (URN) 134417 Inspection number 393536 Inspection dates 10 February 2012 Reporting inspector Fatiha Maitland 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 Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under

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T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk No. 090137 Independent school progress monitoring inspection report

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Purpose and scope of the inspection

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under Section 162A of the Education Act 2002, as amended by schedule 8 of the Education Act 2005.

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Purpose and scope of the inspection

The inspection was conducted at the request of the Registration Authority for independent schools in order to monitor the progress the school has made in implementing its action plan following the previous inspection.

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Information about the school

Azhar Academy Girls School opened in 2003 and is an independent Muslim day school for girls between 11 and 19 years of age. The school is run under the proprietorship of Azhar Academy Girls School Committee, a charitable trust, and the school is one of several different aspects of the trust’s work. The school occupies two premises, one of which is a Grade II listed Victorian church, on opposite sides of the road in Forest Gate in the London Borough of Newham. The trust owns one of these buildings and the other is on a long-term lease. The premises are used for other aspects of the trust’s work, which are not linked to the work of the school, in the evenings, at weekends and for Friday prayers.

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Information about the school

Admission is by entry examination. The school is registered for 280 places. At the time of the previous progress monitoring visit, there were 292 students on roll. The current number is 285. An application from the school for approval of a material change for an additional 20 places (that is to a total of 300 students) was considered at the same time as the present visit and is the subject of separate advice to the Department for Education. No student on role at present has a statement of special educational needs. The school serves a diverse community and most students are bilingual. The school’s aim is that ‘through a sound education our children will learn and develop an understanding about their Deen (religion)’.

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Context of the inspection

The school’s inspection in October 2010 judged that the school was providing a satisfactory standard of education. Significant shortcomings in safeguarding procedures resulted in a judgment that inadequate provision was made for students’ welfare, health and safety. Three regulations were not met. The school drew up an action plan for improvement which, with amendments, was approved by the Department for Education in May 2011.

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Context of the inspection

The school received a progress monitoring visit in July 2011 to assess the progress made in addressing the issues raised in the October 2010 inspection. In addition, the Department for Education requested that the visit should assess the suitability of the curriculum and resources in promoting students’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. The inspection found that the school made satisfactory progress overall in implementing its action plan. All three regulations were met. However, one Independent school progress monitoring inspection report further regulation was found to be unmet. This was concerned with the health and safety practices in school. The school was requested to draw up an action plan for improvement in response to the report, which was evaluated in November 2011 and judged to be satisfactory.

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Context of the inspection

This is the report of the second progress monitoring visit in order to check whether the school has taken appropriate steps to address the regulation that was not met at the last progress monitoring visit. This visit also assessed the suitability of the curriculum and resources in promoting students’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development with reference to shortcomings noted in the last progress monitoring visit, as requested by the Department for Education.

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action plan

The progress monitoring visit of July 2011 reported that the school did not have its own dedicated website, but shared the Azhar Academy Trust’s website. The website did not make it clear how the work of the school and other aspects of the trust’s work were separate. Some of the information available in school gave the impression that the work of the two organisations was the same. The school’s section of the website was not up to date and was not clearly advertised as the first point of information for the school’s ethos and work. In addition, opportunities to develop students’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development in relation to their Islamic faith were more frequent and effective than those providing an insight into multicultural British society.

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action plan

The proprietorial body planned to review the websites and to improve the students’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. The school now ensures that the school’s website is completely separate from that of the Azhar Academy Trust. The school’s website now provides only information about the school’s work and ethos. The website promotes harmony between different cultural traditions and the information content fully complies with the regulatory standards for independent schools. In the school, schemes of work identify practical activities to help students learn about their own faith and those of others. Furthermore, the programme of religious studies, celebration of International Faith Week and Black History Month, visits to places of worship and access to artefacts from different religions help students to gain a suitable knowledge and understanding of the cultural diversity of the world at large. Students show respect and appreciation of other faiths and

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action plan

The earlier progress monitoring visit found that the health and safety policy was not sufficiently detailed and that potential hazards were not identified. Chemicals and other substances used in the science laboratory were not securely stored and trip and bump hazards in the prayer room had not been identified. In addition, subject policies, such as those for science and physical education, did not consider health and safety implications, thus giving staff insufficient guidance. Arrangements for Independent school progress monitoring inspection report students to eat their lunch in a hygienic and positive social setting were not adequate.

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action plan

The school planned to review its policies to ensure compliance with current guidance, to store chemicals safely and to improve the arrangements for students to eat in a hygienic setting at lunchtime. As a result of implementing the plan, the policies have been suitably revised to include appropriate attention to health and safety in science and around the school in general. The school has carried out risk assessments on the premises and resources to minimise the risks. Chemicals and other substances are now securely stored. Trip and bump hazards have been addressed. Students now have access to appropriate and clean floor spreads on which to consume their lunch.

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Compliance with regulatory requirements

The school has made good progress and now meets all regulatory requirements. Independent school progress monitoring inspection report

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School details

Number of pupils with a statement of special educational needs

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School details

Address of school 235A Romford Road, Forest Gate London,E7 9HL

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School details

Email address girls.school@azharacademy.org

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School details

Headteacher Acting headteacher: Mrs Fareena Aslam

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School details

Proprietor Azhar Academy Girls School Committee, Vice Chair: Mr Ismail Gangat

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