Rochdale Islamic Academy

School progress monitoring inspection report

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Rochdale Islamic Academy Greenbank Rd, Rochdale OL12 0HZ

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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), 2(2) and 2(2)(h)  At the school’s previous progress monitoring inspection in May 2025, these independent school standards (the standards) were found to remain unmet. Inspectors found that the proprietor’s and leaders’ work to address the weaknesses in the curriculum was at a very early stage. The curriculum remained underdeveloped in some subjects. There was considerable variability in the extent to which staff checked pupils’ understanding effectively, including in reading. In addition, the school had not ensured that the curriculum took sufficient account of the needs of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). These weaknesses in the curriculum hampered pupils’ achievement.  The school’s subsequent action plan, required by the Department for Education (DfE), was rejected.  At this progress monitoring inspection, the proprietor’s and leaders’ work to address the

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Main inspection findings

weaknesses in the curriculum have begun to have a positive impact. However, the curriculum policy, plans and schemes of work still do not take sufficient account of the learning needs of all pupils, including those with SEND. The school has improved the quality of provision for a small number of pupils by clarifying the support that they receive to meet their needs. This work is at an early stage. For some pupils, their needs are not identified early, or precisely, enough. This hampers the ability of these pupils to learn and make progress because they do not receive the support that they need.  These standards remain unmet. Paragraph 3(a) and 3(e)  At the school’s last progress monitoring inspection, inspectors found that weaknesses in the curriculum hampered pupils in acquiring new knowledge and making progress. Staff did not have sufficient subject knowledge to teach the curriculum well to pupils.

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Main inspection findings

 At this progress monitoring inspection, teaching has improved because lessons are focused on the knowledge that pupils need to acquire. Staff’s subject knowledge has improved because the proprietor and leaders have prioritised support to ensure that staff have the knowledge necessary to teach the curriculum. Staff use this secure subject knowledge to teach the curriculum effectively.  These standards are now met. Paragraph 3(c), 3(d) and 3(g)  At the school’s progress monitoring inspection in May 2025, inspectors found that staff had received very little support to help them to improve their delivery of the curriculum. On occasion, teaching did not make clear what was expected of pupils. Pupils’ misconceptions were not addressed well enough and those pupils who struggled to read fluently did not receive the supported that they needed.  Many of these weaknesses still limit how well pupils learn the curriculum. Staff do not

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Main inspection findings

consistently take into account the needs of pupils that might find learning more difficult, or of pupils who have gaps in their knowledge. The school is at a very early stage in clarifying what learning needs to be assessed and how these assessments should be used to support pupils. In some areas, such as reading, this work is further on. Staff understand pupils’ reading ability well and any gaps that they have. However, in most subjects, this remains underdeveloped. Consequently, staff do not identify and address gaps in pupils’ knowledge routinely. As a result, these gaps persist.  These standards remain unmet. Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Part 6. Provision of information Paragraphs 7 to 7(b), 32(1) and 32(1)(c)  The proprietor has continued to put in place a safeguarding policy that follows current statutory guidance. The policy outlines clearly the school’s procedures, supporting staff

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Main inspection findings

to enact the policy in school effectively. This policy is published on the school’s website and explains the school’s arrangements for promoting pupils’ welfare and keeping them safe.  The school’s designated safeguarding lead is trained to an appropriate level. They are well supported by governors and trustees. Governors and trustees check that the safeguarding policy is understood and implemented well. The proprietor oversees this work to ensure it continues to be effective.  Staff receive regular safeguarding training and updates. The school plans regular meetings throughout the year to keep staff’s knowledge up to date.  These standards remain met. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1) to 34(1)(b)  At the school’s progress monitoring inspection in May 2025, inspectors found that the school had made limited progress in its work to improve the quality of education that

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Main inspection findings

pupils receive. Despite a review of the curriculum, a number of subjects remained underdeveloped. Staff had not received enough support to improve their delivery of the curriculum. Overall, pupils’ experiences were variable and they did not learn as well as they should in some subjects.  At this progress monitoring inspection, the school has made further progress with its work to improve the quality of education. Staff have received support to improve their subject knowledge and delivery of the curriculum. This has had a positive impact. However, effective approaches to assessment are not in place for a number of subjects or used well enough to support pupils. In these subjects, the gaps that pupils have in their learning are not identified or addressed. As a result, pupils do not consistently receive the support that they need or achieve as well as they are capable of.  The school has taken steps to improve the way in which a small number of pupils with

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Main inspection findings

SEND are identified and supported. However, this work is at too early a stage, and the information is not used well enough by staff. There remains too little impact on the achievement of these pupils over time.  The proprietor has not taken sufficient or effective action to ensure that all of the standards are met securely and consistently.  The standards in this part remain unmet.

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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. 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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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 3 to 5 December 2024

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Information about this school

 The school’s previous standard inspection took place from 3 to 5 December 2024.  A progress monitoring inspection took place on 14 May 2025.  Rochdale Islamic Academy is an Islamic faith school. It operates from premises at Greenbank Road, Rochdale OL12 0HZ.  The school is registered to admit up to 200 pupils.  The school does not use any alternative provision.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was carried out at the request of the Department for Education (DfE). The purpose of the inspection was to monitor the progress that the school has made in meeting the independent school standards that it was judged to not comply with at its previous inspection.  The school was judged not to comply with the independent school standards at the progress monitoring inspection which took place on 14 May 2025.  This was the school’s second progress monitoring inspection.  Following the last standard inspection, the DfE required the school to prepare a statutory action plan. The school failed to submit this plan by the date specified. When a plan was submitted, it was rejected.  This inspection was conducted without notice.  The inspector met with representatives of the proprietor body, trustees and governors. The inspector also met with the headteacher and deputy headteacher.  The inspector met with some teachers and some pupils.

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Information about this inspection

 The inspector reviewed a range of policies and documentation relating to the curriculum.  The inspection also considered the school’s safeguarding arrangements, including the single central record of pre-employment checks and whether the school’s safeguarding policy is available to parents and carers. These requirements of the independent school standards are met.

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Inspection team

Jen Sloan, lead inspector His Majesty’s Inspector

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The school does not meet the following independent school standards

Standards that were not met at the previous inspection and remain un-met at this inspection

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

 2(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if- – 2(1)(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. – 2(1)(b) the written policy, plans and schemes of work- – 2(1)(b)(i) take into account the ages, aptitudes and needs of all pupils, including those pupils with an EHC plan.  2(2) For the purposes of paragraph (2)(1)(a), the matters are- – 2(2)(h) that all pupils have the opportunity to learn and make progress.  3 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that the teaching at the school- – 3(c) involves well planned lessons and effective teaching methods, activities and management of class time; – 3(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;

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

– 3(g) demonstrates that a framework is in place to assess pupils’ work regularly and thoroughly and use information from that assessment to plan teaching so that pupils can progress.

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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.

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

 3 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that the teaching at the school- – 3(a) enables pupils to acquire new knowledge and make good progress according to their ability so that they increase their understanding and develop their skills in the subjects taught; – 3(e) demonstrates good knowledge and understanding of the subject matter being taught. 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 1. Quality of education provided

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

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