The School of the Islamic Republic of Iran

School progress monitoring inspection report

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The School of the Islamic Republic of Iran 100 Carlton Vale, London NW6 5HE

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraph 2(1), 2(1)(a), 2(2), 2(2)(a)  The previous inspection found the curriculum was not broad enough. For example, it did not provide pupils with sufficient experience of technological understanding. The curriculum did not sequence content effectively to allow pupils to build knowledge cumulatively over time.  The proposed actions to address the failings were too vague and did not include clear, measurable success criteria.  The school has overhauled the curriculum. The subjects offered are in line with the national curriculum. The school uses some commercially produced subject plans. The plans include appropriately sequenced knowledge and skills. This allows pupils to build on previously learned content.  The school has appropriate subject plans for teaching computing from Year 1 onwards. This supports pupils’ understanding of technological understanding.

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Main inspection findings

Paragraphs 2(1)(b)(ii), 2(2)(d)(i), 2(2)(d)(ii), 2(2)(i), 2A(1)(a) and 2A(1)(b), 3(i) and 3(j)  The Department for Education (DfE) requested that the inspection checks some paragraphs that were previously met.  The curriculum contains information to prepare pupils for life in Britain well. The programme for personal, social and health education includes clear information about the importance of respecting everyone’s rights. It includes age-appropriate content about healthy relationships and ways to stay safe online.  The curriculum content is in line with statutory requirements. Recently, leaders made adaptations to the curriculum to be well prepared for legislation that is due to come into force. For example, recently, teaching staff completed training on artificial intelligence in preparation for changes to the requirements for teaching relationships and sex education (RSE).  The school provides adequate training for staff to deliver the curriculum. Supportive and

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Main inspection findings

regular checks on teaching take place to provide assurances that the curriculum is implemented as the school expects.  The independent school standards (the standards) contained within this part are met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils Paragraph 5(a) and 5(b)(i) – 5(b)(vii)  Following some concerns reported to the DfE, the inspection checked some paragraphs of Part 2 of the standards. Therefore, inspectors explored the school’s approach to supporting pupils’ personal development.  Pupils are taught to respect cultures, backgrounds and religious traditions that are different to their own. Through different subjects, pupils are taught important messages about respect, democracy, people’s rights and the dangers of discrimination. For example, older pupils learn that the rights of people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender are protected under the law.  Occasionally, the school uses visiting speakers to reinforce messages of responsibilities, laws and personal safety. For example, in recent times, a police officer spoke to pupils about online safety and ways to report concerns. Pupils are taught to be responsible

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Main inspection findings

citizens.  The standards contained within this part are met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 15  Inspectors checked some standards that were met at the previous inspection. This is to understand the school’s admissions arrangements and the way it records attendance.  The school has clear records of recording pupils’ attendance and absences. It communicates this information to parents appropriately and regularly. However, the school does not meet its responsibilities in line with statutory regulations. For example, the school does not use the correct administrative codes for recording pupils’ absences.  The school collects appropriate information when pupils join the school. This includes parental contact details and information about previous schools pupils have attended. However, it does not fulfil its statutory responsibilities when pupils leave the school. For example, it does not inform the local authority when pupils are taken off the school roll.

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Main inspection findings

 Consequently, the standards contained within this part are unmet.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b), 34(1)(c)  The previous inspection found the proprietor’s oversight of a few aspects of the school’s compliance with the standards was not sufficiently strong. Consequently, some standards in relation to the curriculum were not met. The proposed actions to address the failings lacked detail.  The proprietor has improved the oversight of the curriculum and quality of education. Improvements to curriculum materials and targeted training for teaching staff have led to improvements.  Effectively, the proprietor ensures the school meets many of its statutory obligations. This includes the requirements of Schedule 10 of the Equalities Act 2010 and its obligations to comply with the requirements for RSE. Pupils’ well-being is actively promoted.  However, the proprietor body does not demonstrate adequate knowledge and skills to

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Main inspection findings

ensure the standards are met consistently and securely. For example, leaders are not sufficiently aware of their responsibilities related to statutory requirements regarding pupil admissions and attendance. In addition, there were a few inaccuracies in the school’s published safeguarding policy that leaders corrected during the on-site inspection.  As a result, the standards contained within this part are 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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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;

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

 2(1)(b) the written policy, plans and schemes of work- – 2(1)(b)(ii) do not undermine the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

 2(2) For the purposes of paragraph (2)(1)(a), the matters are- – 2(2)(a) full-time supervised education for pupils of compulsory school age (construed in accordance with section 8 of the Education Act 1996), which gives pupils experience in linguistic, mathematical, scientific, technological, human and social, physical and aesthetic and creative education;

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

 2(2)(d) personal, social, health and economic education which- – 2(2)(d)(i) reflects the school’s aim and ethos; and – 2(2)(d)(ii) encourages respect for other people, paying particular regard to the protected characteristics set out in the 2010 Act; – 2(2)(i) effective preparation of pupils for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of life in British society.

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

 2(A)(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor- – 2(A)(1)(a) ensures that every registered pupil who is provided with primary education at the school is provided with relationships education, – 2(A)(1)(b) ensures that every registered pupil who is provided with secondary education at the school is provided with relationships and sex education, except in so far as the pupil is excused as mentioned in sub-paragraph (2)

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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(i) does not undermine the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs; and – 3(j) does not discriminate against pupils contrary to Part 6 of the 2010 Act

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Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils

 5 The standard about the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils at the school is met if the proprietor- – 5(a) actively promotes the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs; – 5(b)(i) enable pupils to develop their self-knowledge, self-esteem and self- confidence; – 5(b)(ii) enable pupils to distinguish right from wrong and to respect the civil and criminal law of England; – 5(b)(iii) encourage pupils to accept responsibility for their behaviour, show initiative and understand how they can contribute positively to the lives of those living and – 5(b)(iv) enable pupils to acquire a broad general knowledge of and respect for public institutions and services in England; – 5(b)(v) further tolerance and harmony between different cultural traditions by enabling pupils to acquire an appreciation of and respect for their own and other

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Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils

cultures; – 5(b)(vi) encourage respect for other people, paying particular regard to the protected characteristics set out in the 2010 Act; and – 5(b)(vii) encourage respect for democracy and support for participation in the democratic process, including respect for the basis on which the law is made and applied in England;

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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)(c) actively promote the well-being of pupils.

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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

Annual fees (day pupils) £1,900 to £2,100

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 26 to 28 November 2024

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Information about this school

 This is an independent day school with an Islamic ethos. The school caters for boys and girls age 6 to 16.  There are some uncertainties about the identity of the proprietor of the school. On the Department for Education website, the Iranian Embassy are listed as the proprietor. Leaders assert the Iranian embassy owns the building, but representatives of the embassy are not involved with the leadership of the school. The headteacher is the sole member of the proprietor body. There is a board of governors in place who advise and support senior leaders.  A standard inspection of the school took place in November 2024.  The school does not use 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 independent school standards and other requirements that it was judged to not comply with at its previous inspection. The DfE commissioned the inspection to review compliance with other standards following complaints received about the school.  In November 2024, a standard inspection was conducted. This inspection found that the school did not meet the standards. DfE required the school to devise a statutory action plan to address the failings. Ofsted reviewed the action plan in August 2025. Subsequently, the DfE rejected the action plan.  This is the first monitoring inspection since the previous standard inspection. The inspection was conducted without notice.  Inspectors held meetings with the headteacher, other senior leaders, staff and pupils.

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors also visited lessons and reviewed documentation.  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

Andrea Bedeau, 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 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 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

Standards that were met at the previous inspection, but are now judged to not be met at this inspection

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

 15 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that an admission and attendance register is maintained in accordance with the Education (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2006[13].

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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;

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

 2(1)(b) the written policy, plans and schemes of work- – 2(1)(b)(ii) do not undermine the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

 2(2) For the purposes of paragraph (2)(1)(a), the matters are- – 2(2)(a) full-time supervised education for pupils of compulsory school age (construed in accordance with section 8 of the Education Act 1996), which gives pupils experience in linguistic, mathematical, scientific, technological, human and social, physical and aesthetic and creative education;  2(2)(d) personal, social, health and economic education which- – 2(2)(d)(i) reflects the school’s aim and ethos; and – 2(2)(d)(ii) encourages respect for other people, paying particular regard to the protected characteristics set out in the 2010 Act; – 2(2)(i) effective preparation of pupils for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of life in British society.

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

 2(A)(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor- – 2(A)(1)(a) ensures that every registered pupil who is provided with primary education at the school is provided with relationships education, – 2(A)(1)(b) ensures that every registered pupil who is provided with secondary education at the school is provided with relationships and sex education, except in so far as the pupil is excused as mentioned in sub-paragraph (2)

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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(i) does not undermine the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs; and – 3(j) does not discriminate against pupils contrary to Part 6 of the 2010 Act

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Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils

 5 The standard about the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils at the school is met if the proprietor- – 5(a) actively promotes the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs; – 5(b)(i) enable pupils to develop their self-knowledge, self-esteem and self- confidence; – 5(b)(ii) enable pupils to distinguish right from wrong and to respect the civil and criminal law of England; – 5(b)(iii) encourage pupils to accept responsibility for their behaviour, show initiative and understand how they can contribute positively to the lives of those living and – 5(b)(iv) enable pupils to acquire a broad general knowledge of and respect for public institutions and services in England; – 5(b)(v) further tolerance and harmony between different cultural traditions by enabling pupils to acquire an appreciation of and respect for their own and other

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Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils

cultures; – 5(b)(vi) encourage respect for other people, paying particular regard to the protected characteristics set out in the 2010 Act; and – 5(b)(vii) encourage respect for democracy and support for participation in the democratic process, including respect for the basis on which the law is made and applied in England;

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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)(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

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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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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