Zakariya Primary School

Inspection of Zakariya Primary School 447-451 Romford Road, Forest Gate, London E7 8AB

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Inspection dates: 11 to 13 February 2025

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Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Inadequate

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Overall effectiveness Good

Does the school meet the independent school standards?

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What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils arrive each morning filled with excitement, feeling happy and secure in the school environment. They consider themselves fortunate to attend this school and are eager to recommend it to others. Strong, positive, supportive relationships have been built between pupils and staff, who understand each student well.

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What is it like to attend this school?

High expectations are set and clearly communicated by all staff members. Behaviour is positive, with pupils showing respect towards each other and staff. Pupils approach their learning with enthusiasm. Most of them maintain their focus on their studies and work well both individually and with each other. Where, occasionally, pupils are less focused, teachers are quick to remind them of the school’s expectations. Instances of bullying are extremely rare and are considered seriously by staff. The school strives for the best for every pupil, working together to remove any obstacles to their learning. As a result, pupils make good progress and are prepared for their next stages in education.

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What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils look forward to the numerous educational trips organised by the school, such as visits to local museums and parks. Additionally, enjoyable outings to amusement parks motivate pupils and strengthen a sense of community. Pupils elected to the school council, chosen by their peers, feel heard by school leaders and take pride in the improvements that they have contributed to such as the introduction of swimming.

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better?

Since the last standard inspection, the school has made significant efforts to address previous weaknesses in the curriculum. The curriculum now offers a clear progression of learning steps and covers a wide range of subjects. It is designed to be ambitious for all pupils. Gaps in content have been addressed, and subjects are now taught in a well-structured, logical sequence. The school has identified that subject knowledge is not consistently strong across all subjects and has begun training teachers in order to improve this. However, further work is needed to ensure that all staff have the necessary knowledge and expertise to implement the curriculum effectively. Pupils are already experiencing the positive impact of these changes.

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better?

Changes to the curriculum in some subjects have been more recently introduced. Where this is the case, teachers are building their subject knowledge. They are not as confident in making links to pupils’ prior learning or developing a deeper understanding for pupils in these subjects. Where the curriculum is better established, teachers build carefully on pupils’ prior knowledge. They check pupils’ knowledge to identify any gaps or misconceptions. Once identified, staff’s teaching of subject content is adjusted, and, where necessary, additional support is given to pupils. 11 to 13 February 2025 Pupils read fluently, with confidence and enthusiasm. Teachers deliver the school’s chosen phonics curriculum with confidence and consistency. Any pupil falling behind is helped to catch up quickly. Books are matched closely to pupils’ phonics ability. The love of reading is promoted across the school. Pupils choose from a range of

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better?

books in their class and school library. They are excited to talk about their favourite books and authors.

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better?

There is a clear process in place for identifying the needs of pupils. The school collaborates closely with the local authority and relevant professionals to provide the best support for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Leaders work alongside teachers to ensure they make the necessary adjustments to the curriculum. Parents and carers value the support they receive, which helps them better understand their child’s needs.

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better?

Staff follow the school’s behaviour policy in their work. Leaders, including governors and representatives of the proprietor body, work closely with staff to ensure they are happy and not feeling overworked. As a result, staff love working here and make a real difference to pupils’ learning and development. The school makes sure safeguarding pupils is the number one priority at all times. Parents are rightly highly positive about the school.

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better?

The school has thoughtfully crafted a programme for pupils’ personal development, which builds upon the lessons taught through the faith curriculum. Pupils’ understanding is enhanced further through assemblies, where they learn how to be respectful members of their community. The curriculum provides pupils with insight into the customs of others. They are encouraged to embrace and value differences while learning about healthy, respectful relationships and friendships.

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better?

The proprietor, supported by the local governing body, fulfils its statutory duties, for example, by making sure arrangements to promote pupils’ safety are suitable. All of the requirements of the independent school standards are met.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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(Information for the school and proprietor)

 The school does not make sure teachers’ subject knowledge is strong across all the subjects they teach. Where this is the case, pupils’ learning of more complex subject-specific concepts is hindered, resulting in less depth and clarity in pupils’ understanding. The school should ensure staff have the necessary knowledge and expertise to implement the curriculum effectively. 11 to 13 February 2025

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How can I feed back my views?

or to find out what other parents and carers think. We use information from Ofsted Parent View when deciding which schools to inspect, when to inspect them and as part of their inspection.

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How can I feed back my views?

The Department for Education has further guidance on how to complain about a school. 11 to 13 February 2025

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School details

Date of previous inspection 20 June 2024 11 to 13 February 2025

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Information about this school

 Zakariya Primary School is an independent primary day school with an Islamic ethos. The school is situated in the same building as Forest Gate Mosque at 447- 451 Romford Road, Forest Gate, London, E7 8AB.  The previous inspection was a progress monitoring inspection in June 2024.  Leaders make no use of any alternative provision.

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors carried out this inspection under section 109(1) and (2) of the Education and Skills Act 2008. The purpose of the inspection 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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Information about this inspection

Inspections are a point-in-time judgement about the quality of a school’s education provision.

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Information about this inspection

The school meets the independent school standards. These are the requirements set out in the schedule to the Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014.

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Information about this inspection

 Inspectors discussed any continued impact of the pandemic with leaders and have taken that into account in their evaluation of the school.  Inspectors carried out deep dives in these subjects: early reading, mathematics, history and personal, social, health and economic education. For each deep dive, inspectors held discussions about the curriculum, visited a sample of lessons, spoke to teachers, talked to pupils about their learning in these subjects and looked at their work.  Inspectors also considered curriculum plans and spoke to leaders about some other subjects. The lead inspector also met with leaders representing the proprietor and governing body.  Inspectors met with groups of pupils to discuss their views about the school, behaviour and safety. Inspectors met with some staff. Inspectors analysed the survey responses of pupils, staff and parents.  Several meetings were held with the headteacher, the deputy headteacher and

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Information about this inspection

subject leaders.  Inspectors scrutinised a range of policies and documents. Inspectors checked the school’s compliance with the independent school standards.

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Inspection team

Aliki Constantopoulou, lead inspector His Majesty’s Inspector 11 to 13 February 2025 Christian Hicks His Majesty’s Inspector 11 to 13 February 2025 to 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 and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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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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