Azhar Academy Girls School

School material change inspection report

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Azhar Academy Girls School 235a Romford Road, Forest Gate, London E7 9HL

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7 and Part 6, paragraph 32(1)(c)  Leaders have an up-to-date safeguarding policy that includes the most recent changes to the government’s statutory guidance. This policy is available to parents and carers on the school website.  Leaders also provide staff with comprehensive training on how to keep pupils safe. Staff receive safeguarding training at the start of each academic year. This training is updated in weekly staff briefings and safeguarding updates that are e-mailed to all staff. Staff also complete online safeguarding training. All of this helps to create a culture of vigilance.  Staff are aware of their safeguarding responsibilities. They know how to report concerns and they know who to speak to if they are worried about a pupil’s welfare. Staff are aware of issues in their local area and how these may affect pupils at the school. They all understand that they all have a duty to keep every pupil safe.

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Main inspection findings

 Pupils explained how they are taught to keep themselves safe. They know who they should speak to if they have concerns. Pupils trust staff to provide them with the support that they need.  Leaders record all concerns raised about the welfare of pupils in the school. They work closely with other agencies to ensure that pupils receive the support that they need. Leaders have also trained school staff to support pupils with their mental and physical well-being. Paragraphs 11, 12, 14 and 16  Leaders have suitable health and safety policies in place. The proposed new premises are not yet in use, but leaders already conduct and record regular checks on the building to ensure its suitability.  Leaders have developed systems and procedures to assess and manage risk at the new site and these are appropriate. Leaders assess risks thoroughly and act promptly to mitigate these potential risks. They also assess the risk of educational activities that

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Main inspection findings

take place away from the school site. They take appropriate steps to reduce any risks associated with these trips.  The proposed additional premises were previously part of a local college. The premises have subsequently been fully refurbished. The required safety checks, including those of fire alarms and emergency lighting are already in place. Leaders have effective systems to ensure that they monitor site safety, include fire safety. There are plans in place for regular fire drills once the proposed premises is open to pupils.  Leaders ensure that there is adequate supervision of pupils outside lessons at the current site. Leaders plan to implement a similar system of staff supervision at the new site, with suitable adaptations. The current supervision plan includes inside and outside spaces when pupils arrive in the morning, during breaktimes and lunchtimes and when pupils leave at the end of the day. Staff also plan to supervise pupils at

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Main inspection findings

designated dismissal points surrounding the new premises.  The independent school standards in this part are likely to be met if the material change is approved. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors All paragraphs  Leaders understand the importance of the safer recruitment of staff. Leaders ensure that checks for new staff are carried out in line with statutory guidance.  The school’s single central record of pre-employment checks accurately records all of the required checks on leaders, staff, governors and the proprietor.  The independent school standards in this part are likely to be met if the material change is approved. Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools All paragraphs  The premises was formerly part of the local college. This has been fully refurbished. This work is now complete and has been done to a high standard. The additional spaces and classrooms on offer at the new site are sufficient to accommodate the

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Main inspection findings

proposed increase in the number of pupils on roll.  Staff have had access to the new building, and they have put up displays in corridors and classrooms. The new premises is suitably resourced. However, some classrooms are awaiting the imminent delivery of desks and chairs.  The acoustics, lighting and toilet, washing and medical facilities in the new premises are all likely to be compliant with the requirements of the independent school standards. The washing facilities include safely regulated water supplies and suitable drinking water that is clearly labelled. Outdoor spaces are available for recreation and physical education, and these are also suitable for the proposed number of pupils.  The independent school standards in this part are likely to be met if the material change is approved. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34  The school’s leaders have a secure knowledge and understanding of the independent

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Main inspection findings

school standards. They have ensured that these standards have been met over several years at the current premises. Leaders have planned effectively in order to cater for pupils in the new building, and they ensure that the new premises are likely to be safe and suitable for the number of pupils the school intends to admit.  Leaders are aware of the needs of their pupils. They have created a culture of safeguarding in the school to keep pupils safe. Leaders have refurbished the new building with pupils’ well-being in mind.  The independent school standards in this part are likely to be met if the material change is approved.

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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 that are relevant to the material change.

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School details

This inspection was carried out under section 162(4) of the Education Act 2002, the purpose of which is to advise the Secretary of State for Education about the school’s likely compliance with the independent school standards relevant to the material change that the school has applied to make.

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School details

Headteacher Mrs Rookshana Adam (executive headteacher) Annual fees (day pupils) £3,000 (primary) and £3,300 (secondary)

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School details

Email address girls.school@azharacademy.org

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School details

Dates of previous standard inspection 1 to 3 March 2022

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recommendation

Age range of pupils 3 to 16 No change Not applicable

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recommendation

Number of pupils on the school roll 500 650 650

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Gender of pupils Girls Girls Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age 500 650

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities 11 11

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Of which, number of pupils with an education, health and care plan None None

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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 None None

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of full-time equivalent teaching staff 16 20

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of part-time teaching staff 38 48

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School’s current position School’s proposal

Number of staff in the welfare provision Not applicable Not applicable

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Information about this school

 The primary school is located at 470 High Road, Leytonstone E11 3HN. The secondary school is located at 235a Romford Road, Forest Gate E7 9HL. The proposed new secondary site is located at Block F, Tennyson Road Forest Gate, London E15 4DR .  Leaders do not use any alternative provision.  The school has a Muslim ethos.  The school’s previous standard inspection took place in March 2022, when the school’s overall effectiveness was judged to be outstanding.

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Information about this inspection

 This was the first material change inspection commissioned by the Department for Education (DfE) to consider Azhar Academy Girls School’s application to make a change to its registration agreement. The requested change was to increase the number of pupils from 500 to 650. The 450 secondary pupils will also be located at the proposed new premises.  The inspection was conducted with two days’ notice.  The DfE requested that the inspector consider whether particular independent school standards contained within parts 3, 4, 5 and 8 are met and are likely to continue to be met if the material change is approved.  The inspector met with pupils and staff. He held meetings with the headteacher, who is also the designated safeguarding lead, and the deputy designated safeguarding lead. He also met with the proprietor.  The inspector toured the new premises and reviewed documentation, including that related to safeguarding, health and safety, fire safety and risk assessment.

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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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Inspection team

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