Hafs Academy

School progress monitoring inspection report ‘

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Hafs Academy Unit 3, 26 Maryland Road, Stratford, London E15 1JW

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraphs 2(1), 2(1)(a), 2(1)(b), 2(1)(b)(i), 3, 3(c), 3(d), 3(e), 3(f)  At the school’s previous standard inspection in October 2023, curriculum planning for many subjects was vague and lacked ambition. Little thought was given to the fundamental ideas that need to be taught by the end of the unit of work or topic. As a result, pupils learned a series of unconnected ideas that made it difficult for them to apply their knowledge to new learning.  Leaders have now made sure that the curriculum is suitably ambitious for all pupils. In each subject, leaders have ensured that the curriculum is well sequenced, with clear end points. They have worked with a consultant and other schools to put together appropriate schemes of work for each subject.  Some subjects are further along than others, but all of them are at least as broad and balanced as the national curriculum. The school has appointed new staff with secure

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Main inspection findings

subject knowledge in the areas they teach.  At the school’s previous standard inspection, many staff lacked the necessary subject knowledge to promote pupils’ learning effectively. They did not receive suitable training about how to plan the curriculum and deliver it effectively, including to pupils with additional needs. Since then, staff have received training on how to best deliver the curriculum and how to check pupils’ understanding. As a result, staff are now confident in identifying and addressing misconceptions which pupils may have. Training has included how to make adaptations for pupils with additional needs.  Appropriate resources have been secured which support the learning. These are used well by all staff. Leaders have also invested in a range of fiction books for pupils to access. Pupils are already enjoying and benefiting from these.  Pupils’ workbooks show that teachers are selecting appropriate activities in lessons to

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Main inspection findings

deliver the intended curriculum. As a result, pupils are acquiring the intended knowledge and skills to improve their understanding.  The school’s assessment policy is implemented in all classrooms, and this can be seen in pupils’ books.  The independent school standards (the standards) checked in this part are now met. Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraphs 7, 7(a), 7(b), 32(1)(c)  The school has an up-to-date safeguarding policy that takes account of current government requirements. This policy is available to parents and carers on request.  All staff receive regular face-to-face and online safeguarding training. Staff learn about any ongoing issues during daily staff meetings. Leaders with designated responsibility for safeguarding are also up to date with the latest guidance. Staff know who to report their concerns to within the school and the local authority. Pupils know who they should speak

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Main inspection findings

to if they have concerns. They are confident they will be listened to and are safe here.  The standards checked in this part are met. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraphs 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b)  At the school’s previous standard inspection in October 2023, trustees did not check the quality of education provided by the school rigorously enough. Too little attention was given to checking that the curriculum was coherent and suitably ambitious in scope. They did not routinely check that the independent school standards were met.  Since then, trustees have appointed an experienced consultant to work alongside the headteacher with a focus on the curriculum and training for staff. Trustees have also provided the finances for subject-specific training for key staff.  Trustees have agreed to extending the school day and dedicating more time to the national curriculum subjects. They have appointed experienced staff to deliver the

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Main inspection findings

curriculum.  Trustees now meet regularly with the school leaders to discuss the progress made towards improving the curriculum and meeting the independent school standards.  The standards checked in this part are now met.

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Compliance with regulatory requirements

The school meets 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. This included the standards and requirements that the school was judged to not comply with at the previous inspection. Not all of the standards and associated requirements were checked during this inspection.

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Part 1: Quality of education provided

 The standards about the quality of education provided at the school are those contained in this Part. 2.(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if– (a) the proprietor ensures that a written policy on the curriculum, supported by appropriate plans and schemes of work, which provides for the matters specified in sub- paragraph (2) is drawn up and implemented effectively; and (b) the written policy, plans and schemes of work– (i) take into account the ages, aptitudes and needs of all pupils, including those pupils with an EHC plan. 3. The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that the teaching at the school– (c) involves well planned lessons and effective teaching methods, activities and management of class time (d) shows a good understanding of the aptitudes, needs and prior attainments of the pupils, and ensures that these are taken into account in the planning of lessons (e) demonstrates good knowledge and understanding of the subject matter being taught;

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Part 1: Quality of education provided

and (f) utilises effectively classroom resources of a good quality, quantity and range.

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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– (a) demonstrate good skills and knowledge appropriate to their role so that the independent school standards are met consistently; and (b) fulfil their responsibilities effectively so that the independent school standards are met consistently.

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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

Date of previous standard inspection 19 to 21 September 2023

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Information about this school

 Hafs Academy is an independent boys’ day school with a Muslim ethos. The school is registered to provide education for pupils from the age of seven to 16. However, the school’s provision for primary pupils closed in 2018.  The school’s last standard inspection took place in September 2023, when the school was judged to be inadequate. Some of the standards were not met.  The school does not currently make use of any alternative provision.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was carried out at the request of the registration authority for independent schools. The purpose of the inspection was to monitor the progress the school has made in meeting the standards and other requirements that it was judged to not comply with at its previous inspection.  This was the school’s first progress monitoring inspection since its last standard inspection in September 2023. The inspection was conducted without notice.  Since the previous progress monitoring inspection, leaders were asked to submit an action plan. This was judged by Ofsted to be not acceptable in January 2024 and was subsequently rejected by the Department for Education.  The inspector met with the headteacher and the designated safeguarding lead. They also met with two trustees, including the chair. The inspector met with a group of staff and a group of pupils from Years 7 to 11. They reviewed a range of documents,

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Information about this inspection

including policies and curriculum plans and visited lessons in every class.

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Inspection team

Aliki Constantopoulou, lead inspector His Majesty’s Inspector 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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Inspection team

Parent View You can use Parent View to give Ofsted your opinion on your child’s school. Ofsted will use the information parents and carers provide when deciding which schools to inspect and when and as part of the inspection.

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Inspection team

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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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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