London East Academy

46 Whitechapel Road, Whitechapel, London E1 1JX

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraph 2(1), 2(1)(a), 2(1)(b), 2(1)(b)(i), 2(1)(b)(ii), 2(2), 2(2)(a)–2(2)(c), 3, 3(a)– 3(j), 4  Pupils study a broad range of national curriculum subjects and Islamic studies. Pupils in Years 10 and 11 study GCSE qualifications, including in mathematics, English, science, computer science, history and religious education (RE).  Leaders have sequenced the curriculum in each subject so that learning builds over time. Teachers have the skills and knowledge to deliver the planned curriculum. Leaders ensure that teachers implement the school’s assessment policy effectively. Paragraph 2(2), 2(2)(d)-2(2)(i), 2A(1), 2A(1)(b)-2A(1)(g), 2A(2), 2A(3)  Leaders and the proprietor body are committed to ensuring that they equip pupils to live and work in modern Britain. All pupils have weekly personal, social, health and economics (PSHE) education lessons. Leaders have carefully sequenced the PSHE

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Main inspection findings

education curriculum to teach and revisit key themes regularly, such as healthy relationships, e-safety and staying healthy, and mental health and physical health.  Leaders ensure that pupils receive the statutory relationships and sex education (RSE). This includes teaching about what constitutes sexual harassment and the importance of consent. They have consulted parents and carers on this curriculum and have outlined parents’ right to withdraw their children from sex education. The RSE policy makes clear that pupils will be taught about LGBTQ+ families and relationships and all the protected characteristics. Leaders introduce this content to pupils sensitively in the context of their Muslim faith.  The requirements of the independent school standards (the standards) in this part are met. Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils Paragraph 5, 5(a)–5(d)(iii)  School leaders and the proprietor body provide opportunities in the curriculum for

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Main inspection findings

pupils discuss global issues, gain knowledge of different communities, and know and understand their own faith.  Leaders have thoughtfully integrated the teaching of tolerance and respect for those who have protected characteristics throughout the PSHE education curriculum, as well as in assemblies and the wider curriculum. They encourage pupils to engage in discussion about different cultures and faiths. For example, pupils in Year 9 visit a church as part of their RE studies. Teachers teach pupils about the rights of different groups and encourage an open and respectful attitude towards any differences that people may have. Pupils speak with confidence and maturity about their learning in PSHE education.  Leaders have woven the teaching of fundamental British values throughout the curriculum. For example, pupils studied the history of the monarchy in assemblies during the recent coronation. In PSHE education, pupils learn about the rule of law

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Main inspection findings

and democracy. They take part in democratic processes, including voting to elect school council members and the head boy.  The requirements of the independent school standards in this part are met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7, 7(a), 7(b), 32(1)(c)  Leaders know the pupils and families in the school community well. The safeguarding policy is published on the school’s website.  The requirement of paragraph 32(1)(c) (in Part 8) is therefore met.  Procedures to report concerns about pupils are clear, and staff use them. All staff know the signs that pupils may be at risk from harm. Leaders make appropriate referrals and keep accurate records of safeguarding incidents. They work effectively with outside agencies to ensure that vulnerable pupils and their families get the help they need.  The school also has a safer recruitment and selection policy that outlines the procedures for recruiting new staff. However, leaders have not ensured that this policy is robustly put into practice. This puts the welfare of pupils in the school at risk.  The requirements of paragraph 7, 7(a) and 7(b) are not met.

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Main inspection findings

Paragraph 9, 9(a)–9(c), 10  Leaders and the proprietor body have ensured that staff implement the behaviour policy consistently across the school. They keep accurate records of any serious behaviour incidents. In lessons, pupils behave well. They listen to their teachers and are keen to learn. At breaktimes, they play football and take part in clubs.  Pupils have learned about bullying in PSHE education lessons and assemblies. The school has an anti-bullying strategy. Bullying is rare. When it does occur, leaders are swift to address it.  The requirements of the independent school standards in these paragraphs are met. Paragraph 11, 14, 15, 16, 16(a), 16(b)  Leaders and the proprietor body have implemented an effective health and safety policy and risk assessment policy. They have identified key risks and mitigate these appropriately.  Leaders keep accurate records of pupils’ admissions and attendance. Staff provide

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Main inspection findings

adequate supervision for pupils. Pupils are supervised at all times during the school day.  The requirements of the independent school standards in these paragraphs are met.  The requirements of the independent school standards in this part are not all met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraph 18(1), 18(2), 18(2)(a)–18(2)(f), 18(3), 19(1), 19(2), 19(2)(a)–19(2)(e), 19(3), 20(6), 20(6)(a)–20(6)c), 21(1), 21(2), 21(3), 21(3)(a)–21(3)(b), 21(4), 21(5), 21(5)(a)–21(5)(c), 21(6), 21(7), 21(7)(a)–21(7)(b)  Procedures to ensure the safe recruitment of staff are not effective. Leaders and the proprietor body do not ensure that they make the required checks when appointing new staff. Leaders and the proprietor body do not take account of government guidance in relation to pre-employment enhanced criminal records checks. Leaders and the proprietor body do not ensure that references provided by new members of staff are genuine.  Leaders have not completed suitability checks on all members of the governing body. They have not checked whether governors are prohibited from leading and managing a school.  The school’s single central record of pre-employment staff suitability checks is not

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Main inspection findings

maintained effectively. This inspection found gaps and errors in the record.  The requirements of the independent school standards in this part are not all met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools Paragraph 25  The school premises are clean and well maintained. Leaders and the proprietor body ensure good standards of hygiene around the school. They keep accurate records of school maintenance and address any premises or facilities issues swiftly.  Staff teach pupils to respect the school environment. Pupils do not litter and take care when using the school resources and facilities.  The requirements of the independent school standards in this part are met. Part 7. Manner in which complaints are handled Paragraph 33, 33(a)–33(k)  Leaders and the proprietor body have ensured that there is an appropriate procedure for handling complaints. The complaints policy outlines the procedure for complaints and is made available for parents on the school’s website. The policy allows for parents to raise complaints informally in the first instance.  Leaders keep accurate records of complaints and the actions taken to resolve them.

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Main inspection findings

 The requirements of the independent school standards in this part are met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1), 31(1)(a), 31(1)(b), 31(1)(c), 34(2)  Leaders and the proprietor body have policies and procedures in place, including for teaching and learning, and pupils’ behaviour and personal development, including pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. They provide training for staff to ensure that these policies are implemented effectively.  Leaders follow statutory guidance to identify and support pupils who are at risk of harm. However, they have not ensured that their management of safeguarding, including the recruitment of staff, is robust. The proprietor body has not ensured that its statutory obligations to safeguarding are met.  Leaders have not made sure that all the requirements of the independent school standards in this part are met.  The independent school standards in this part are not met.

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Compliance with regulatory requirements

The school does not meet the requirements of the schedule to the Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014 (‘the independent school standards’) and associated requirements that were checked during this inspection, as set out in the annex of this report. Not all of the standards and associated requirements were checked during this inspection.

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School details

This inspection was carried out under section 109(1) and (2) of the Education and Skills Act 2008, the purpose of which is to advise the Secretary of State for Education about the school’s suitability for continued registration as an independent school.

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School details

Headteacher Mohammed Badrudduza (also known as Mohammed Badr) Annual fees (day pupils) £4,300

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 2 to 4 November 2021

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Information about this school

 London East Academy is an independent school with a Muslim ethos.  The school shares the same site as Al-Mirzan School for pupils aged seven to 11 and has the same proprietor body, East London Mosque Trust. The two schools share the same governing body. The headteacher of London East Academy is also the headteacher of Al-Mirzan School.  The school’s previous standard inspection took place in November 2021. The school’s overall effectiveness was judged to be good.  The school uses the facilities of Whitechapel Sports Centre, 55 Durward Street, London E1 5BA for physical education.  The school does not use any alternative provision.

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Information about this inspection

 This emergency inspection was commissioned by the Department for Education (DfE), the registration authority for independent schools. This was in response to concerns being raised with the DfE relating to safeguarding, pupils’ behaviour, the curriculum and the school’s adherence to the Equality Act 2010. The concerns also related to the supervision of pupils, health and safety procedures, and leaders’ management of risks. There were also concerns raised about leadership and management.  Inspectors conducted the inspection without notice.  Inspectors met with the headteacher, other senior school leaders and the chair of the governing body. They also spoke to members of staff and spoke to groups of pupils.  Inspectors reviewed safeguarding documentation, including records of concerns about pupils’ welfare. They reviewed procedures for staff recruitment by checking the school’s record of pre-employment checks.

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Information about this inspection

 Inspectors reviewed a range of documents, including curriculum documents and school policies. They viewed records relating to pupils’ behaviour, admissions and attendance. They reviewed policies related to health and safety and viewed examples of risk assessments.  Inspectors looked at all parts of the school premises.

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Inspection team

Annabel Davies, lead inspector His Majesty’s Inspector

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

 7 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that– – 7(a) arrangements are made to safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils at the school; and – 7(b) such arrangements have regard to any guidance issued by the Secretary of State.

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Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors

 18(2) The standard in this paragraph is met if– – 18(2)(d) the proprietor ensures that, where relevant to any such person, an enhanced criminal record check is made in respect of that person and an enhanced criminal record certificate is obtained before or as soon as practicable after that person’s appointment;  20(6) The standard in this paragraph is met in relation to an individual (“MB”), not being the Chair of the school, who is a member of a body of persons corporate or unincorporate named as the proprietor of the school in the register or in an application to enter the school in the register, if– – 20(6)(a) MB– – 20(6)(a)(ii) does not carry out work, or intend to carry out work, at the school in contravention of a prohibition order, an interim prohibition order, or any direction made under section 128 of the 2008 Act or section 142 of the 2002 Act or any disqualification, prohibition or restriction which takes effect as if contained in either

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Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors

such direction;  21(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor keeps a register which shows such of the information referred to in sub-paragraphs (3) to (7) as is applicable to the school in question.  21(3) The information referred to in this sub-paragraph is– – 21(3)(a) in relation to each member of staff (“S”) appointed on or after 1 st May 2007, whether– – 21(3)(a)(iii) a check was made to establish whether S is subject to any direction made under section 128 of the 2008 Act or section 142 of the 2002 Act or any disqualification, prohibition or restriction which takes effect as if contained in such a direction; – 21(3)(a)(v) an enhanced criminal record certificate was obtained in respect of S; – 21(3)(a)(vi) checks were made pursuant to paragraph 18(2)(d);

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

 34(1) The standard about the quality of leadership and management is met if the proprietor ensures that persons with leadership and management responsibilities at the school– – 34(1)(a) demonstrate good skills and knowledge appropriate to their role so that the independent school standards are met consistently; – 34(1)(b) fulfil their responsibilities effectively so that the independent school standards are met consistently; and – 34(1)(c) actively promote the well-being of pupils. 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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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

You can also use Parent View to find out what other parents and carers think about schools in England. You can visit www.parentview.ofsted.gov.uk , or look for the link on the main Ofsted website: www.gov.uk/ofsted .

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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