London East Academy

Progress monitoring school report London East Academy

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46 Whitechapel Road, Whitechapel, London E1 1JX

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Context of the inspection

 This second monitoring inspection was unannounced and undertaken at the request of the Department for Education. The inspection took place on 24 November 2015 to check if the failings identified against the independent school standards found in the first monitoring inspection in March 2015, had been addressed.  The school was inspected in October 2014 and judged inadequate because a number of regulations were not met. Prior to the monitoring inspections, the school was asked to submit action plans outlining its intentions to address the weaknesses. The first action plan was submitted in January 2015 and the subsequent plan in July 2015. Both plans were evaluated and judged to require improvement.  At the first monitoring inspection it was found that, although some of the failed regulations were met, the school was not complying with all of the regulatory requirements. The following standards were not met: Part 1: the quality of education; Part 3: welfare, health and safety;

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Context of the inspection

Part 5: premises of and accommodation of schools; Part 6: Provision of information and Part 8: quality of leadership in and management of schools. This second monitoring inspection reviewed whether or not the school is now meeting each of these standards in full.

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

 The findings of the first monitoring inspection found that the school was not complying with all of the standards relating to the quality of education provided, primarily because the governing body had not ratified the new curriculum policy. The curriculum lacked breadth and depth and did not include the creative and aesthetic subjects, namely art, music and drama. Additionally, pupils were not involved in enrichment activities. These shortcomings have been addressed and the standard is met.  The school is working in partnership with a local authority service that provides specialist teaching in art, drama and music for pupils. A full service agreement is in place. These subjects were introduced in the summer term 2015 and are now timetabled lessons for all pupils in Key Stage 3. Schemes of work are in in place to guide planning.  During this inspection, short visits were made to drama and art lessons; music was not being

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

taught. Art is taught in a purpose-built studio located in a local art gallery close to the school. This is enabling pupils to access art exhibitions and gain wider knowledge about different art forms.  Discussions with pupils indicated that they are extremely pleased with the current provision which they say is providing them with a ‘wider curriculum’. They told inspectors that ‘the subjects are fun’ and they are able to express themselves. Pupils expressed their interests in studying these subjects at GCSE level. These subjects are currently not offered as GCSE options but the school has indicated its plan to do so for current Key Stage 3 pupils.  The inspection of October 2014 found that the school needed to improve the use of assessment to match work to pupils’ prior attainment. This was to enable pupils to make better progress, in particular the most-able and those requiring additional support. The school has systems for

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

tracking pupils’ progress and has a bank of assessment information to show pupils’ achievement Monitoring report: London East Academy, 24 November 2015 2 of 5

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

over time. Analysis includes checking progress from pupils’ starting points in subjects and year groups. The information is used well to set targets which pupils know and understand. Information on progress indicates that in each year group, most pupils are meeting expectations with a minority exceeding them. Pupils’ performance in the 2015 GCSE examinations indicated that they achieved extremely well, with 96% obtaining five or more GCSE grades A* to C, including English and mathematics. The standard with respect to pupils' progress is now met.

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

 At the previous monitoring inspection, this standard was not met because safeguarding policies and procedures were not being implemented as they should be. The first aid policy was in place but did not meet the standard because it failed to identify how parents would be informed about incidents. It also failed to outline regular first aid training and updates for staff. The shortcomings have been addressed and this standard is now met. The policies on pupils’ welfare, health and safety are now thorough and they have been ratified.  Safeguarding policies include clear reporting lines so that staff are in no doubt about the procedures they are expected to adopt when handling allegations and when pupils are unwell or need guidance and support. During the inspection, inspectors listened to and observed the staff managing two safeguarding incidents in a timely and effective manner.  The previous monitoring visit found that the first aid policy did not take into consideration

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

procedures for communicating with parents or training of staff. The medical room was also not equipped with a bed. These shortcomings have been rectified. The school has six appropriately qualified first aiders, including three with designated responsibilities who have acquired a higher level qualification in first aid.

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Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools

 The previous monitoring visit found that this standard was not met because pupils were unable to access suitable outdoor space to play. Risk assessments were also incomplete. Following the inspection, the school has found a suitable outdoor space for pupils to play. In addition, contractual arrangements for the teaching of physical education (PE), has led to pupils receiving regular and specialist PE lessons at another site. This standard is now met.  Pupils walk to the sites the school has found for their outdoor play and for PE lessons. Both sites are within walking distance of the school. The PE site is suitably equipped with showers and equipment for pupils’ use.  The school has been diligent in carrying out risk assessments prior to using the site for outdoor play and the local, specialist building for PE. Risk assessments are reviewed termly.

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Part 6. Provision of information

 Following the previous inspection, the school revised and updated the website. This standard is now met.  Information about the school’s work is readily accessible to both parents and the wider public. The language used is straightforward. The new website provides a clear overview about the school’s work and it ethos and aims. All reports linked to the inspection of the school and pupils’ achievement are accessible on the website.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership and management

 The executive headteacher, as a prime mover in driving change, has worked well with other senior staff and the governing body to address the weaknesses identified. As a result, the independent school standards relating to leadership and management are now all met.  Nevertheless, there are gaps in the senior leadership team which raise concerns about the changes being sustained over time. The executive headteacher has strategic responsibility for the primary and secondary school but does not have the benefit of working with a full leadership team. Despite several advertising campaigns, before and after the previous monitoring inspection, the governing body has not been successful in appointing key staff.  Concerns about the capacity of the school's management to sustain improvement were raised during the first monitoring inspection; these remain. Monitoring report: London East Academy, 24 November 2015 3 of 5

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Inspection team

Carmen Rodney, Lead inspector Her Majesty’s Inspector Avtar Sherri Ofsted Inspector

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Information about this school

 London East Academy is a selective Islamic secondary school for boys aged between 11 and 16. The school is based in the London Muslim Centre, as is Al-Mizan, an independent primary school for boys. Both schools are led by an executive headteacher who was appointed in September 2014. The two schools share the same governing body and are managed by the East London Mosque.  The school has 136 pupils on roll. None of the pupils has a statement of special educational needs or an education, health and care plan.  The largest ethnic group is of Bangladeshi heritage, with other groups from Somali, Pakistani, Indian and North African heritages. Monitoring report: London East Academy, 24 November 2015 4 of 5

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School details

Unique reference number 134810 Inspection number 10009010 DfE registration number 211/6394 This inspection was conducted at the request of the registration authority for independent schools. It was carried out under section 109(1) and (2) of the Education and Skills Act 2008.

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School details

Type of school Islamic faith school School status Independent day school Age range of pupils 11–16 Gender of pupils Boys Number of pupils on the school roll 136 Number of part time pupils 0 Proprietor East London Mosque Chair Mr Muhammad Habibur Rahman Executive Headteacher Mr Ziaur Rahman Date of previous school inspection 10–11 March 2015 Annual fees (day pupils) £3,400 Telephone number 020 7650 3070 Email address Admin@leacdemy.com Monitoring report: London East Academy, 24 November 2015 5 of 5

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School details

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School details

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School details

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School details

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School details

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School details

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