Al-Mizan School

DCSF Registration Number 211/6392 Unique Reference Number 133646 Inspection number 316883 Inspection dates 14-15 November 2007 Reporting inspector Israr Khan AI

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This inspection of the school was carried out under section 162A of the Education Act 2002 (as amended by schedule 8 of the Education Act 2005).

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Independent School

Inspection report This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated.

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Independent School

Alexandra House 33 Kingsway London WC2B 6SE T 08456 404040 www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Purpose and scope of the inspection

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under section 162A of the Education Act 2002, as amended by schedule 8 of the Education Act 2005, in order to advise the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families about the school’s suitability for continued registration as an independent school.

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Information about the school

Al-Mizan School, which opened in 2002 is a selective independent Islamic primary school for boys. The school has 36 boys on roll, aged seven to eleven. It is located in the London Muslim Centre which shares its facilities with the East London Mosque. Its primary purpose is to meet the Islamic communal obligation of ensuring that there are individuals who have committed the Qur’an to memory to act as Imams. Its pupils continue their education at London East Academy, a school for boys aged eleven to nineteen, which shares the philosophy and objectives of Al-Mizan School and is housed in the same complex. Both schools are under the management of East London Mosque Trust. Al Mizan aims to provide a broad and balanced curriculum to all its pupils. All subjects are taught within a balanced Islamic ethos and framework, with no subject being seen as secular. The aim of the curriculum is as the prospectus states: ‘to inculcate Islamic values, manners and etiquettes’. The school believes that

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Information about the school

the qualities gained through the memorization of the Qur’an will also help their pupils in other subjects and it states: ‘for one who is able to complete such a task will not be daunted by any other subject’. There are presently two classes operating and the school hopes to expand next year when a block of new classrooms has been converted on the other side of the extensive mosque complex. This is the school’s first published inspection report.

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Evaluation of the school

Al-Mizan is a good school that fulfils its aims effectively. It is a calm, orderly community with a caring atmosphere. The quality of education is good. Teaching is good overall with some outstanding practice taking place. Pupils achieve well and the standard of their work is above the national average. Teachers are good role models who promote pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. The welfare, health and safety of pupils are good. The school meets all but four regulations for independent schools.

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Quality of education

The school provides a satisfactory, broad and balanced curriculum. Along with Quranic memorisation classes, the school provides access to all areas of learning of the National Curriculum. It manages to achieve this through a long school day that is split equally between religious and secular provision. The quality of curriculum planning and documentation is satisfactory. Being a selective school there are no pupils with special educational needs and no pupils experience any language difficulties in relation to accessing the curriculum. Personal, social and health education is delivered effectively through the Islamic studies and citizenship lessons with contributions from other areas of the curriculum. Resources to support the curriculum are good with some high quality information and communication technology (ICT) facilities that include interactive whiteboards. ICT resources have strengthened teaching and learning. There is also a library which is still being

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Quality of education

developed and will be fully available from next year. There is not enough enrichment of the curriculum through a lack of activities outside lessons or visits to places of interest.

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Quality of education

The quality of teaching is good with a significant proportion of teaching in secular subjects that is outstanding. As a result pupils make good progress in their learning. In the best lessons interactive whiteboards are used to good effect and teachers demonstrate a secure knowledge of their subject. Teachers work hard to ensure that pupils engage enthusiastically in lessons. They use interesting and relevant starting points for learning and encourage pupils to learn independently. Opportunities are also provided for them to work in pairs and small groups, sharing and developing their learning of new skills, knowledge and understanding. Pupils achieve well in English, mathematics and science.

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Quality of education

The teaching in the Islamic curriculum makes heavy demands on the attention span of pupils but this is supported through detailed assessments aided by very focused and consistent target setting routines. This close monitoring has a good effect on the progress pupils make in lessons. However improvements could be made in Quranic studies through sharing the outstanding practice evident in some secular subjects. The introduction of some Quranic Arabic vocabulary within these lessons would enable pupils to engage more with what they are memorising. In all lessons relationships between pupils and staff are very good. The relaxed and respectful environment encourages pupils to contribute freely and share their views. Assessment is good. Pupils work is marked regularly and is an effective means by which pupils’ learning can be improved. Parents are provided twice a year with written reports about their children’s progress.

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Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of the pupils

The provision for pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is good. Pupils have a strong sense of their responsibility to the community and to wider society which is instilled effectively through Islamic studies and citizenship. Pupils are proud of their Islamic identity which helps nurture their self-confidence and self- esteem. Pupils’ behaviour is very good; they are happy and enjoy school thoroughly. They are taught the difference between right and wrong through the teachings of the principles of Islam. The participation of pupils in daily prayers contributes significantly to their spiritual development. Pupils show initiative through the annual charity collections in the month of Ramadan as well as learning the important lesson of helping those less fortunate than themselves. The school has wide contacts with important members of the Christian and Jewish communities that surround the

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Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of the pupils

school. Their involvement with the school helps to promote tolerance and harmony between different cultural traditions.

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Welfare, health and safety of the pupils

Provision for pupil’s welfare, health and safety is good. Staff know and care well for their pupils. The school has unambiguous policies for ensuring good behaviour and preventing bullying. Pupils conduct themselves in a safe manner and as supervision is good, pupils feel safe and can always turn to someone if they need help. The school has a comprehensive health and safety policy but an oversight in assessing risks has meant the safety of electrical appliances has been left unchecked.

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Welfare, health and safety of the pupils

Fire alarms are tested regularly and risk assessments are carried out on all trips for pupils away from school. Staff with training in First Aid are always available in school and the school has appropriate regard for the Disability Discrimination Act 2002. Attendance registers are maintained but the admissions register does not include all the information required. Whilst all staff have undertaken child protection training the lead person with responsibility for this area has not yet received the additional training required. As a result of positive encouragement, pupils lead a healthy lifestyle. Healthy eating is encouraged both as a matter of policy as well as through the curriculum.

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Suitability of the proprietor and staff

The school is managed by the East London Mosque Trust. Responsibility for the running of the school has been devolved to its governing body. The staff are recruited through a rigorous procedure that confirms, prior to their appointment, their identity, qualifications, medical fitness, professional experience and suitability to work with children.

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School’s premises and accommodation

The school is in a modern, attractive and fully accessible building. The school is located on the second floor in spacious, bright and airy classrooms. There are also specialist facilities for science and ICT. Whilst the school does not have access to on- site outdoor play space, physical education and recreational needs are well met by the three spacious halls available for pupils’ use. The school also makes use of a nearby park when the weather is fine and there are fortnightly lessons at a local sports centre. The school is connected to a large mosque and this makes the school an integral part of the life of the community. Work is in progress to expand the schools accommodation through the provision of additional classrooms on the other side of the mosque complex.

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Provision of information for parents, carers and others

The quality of information for parents and prospective parents is good. Written reports are issued twice yearly and parents may request additional documents and policies. However not all parents are familiar with the complaints procedure and some parents are not fully comfortable with approaching the school with a complaint.

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Procedures for handling complaints

The school’s complaints policy meets all of the required regulations. The school reports that they have received no complaints within the past year.

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Compliance with regulatory requirements

The school meets all of the Education (Independent School Standards) (England) Regulations 2003 as amended January 2005, with the exception of those listed below.

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Compliance with regulatory requirements

The school does not meet all requirements in respect of provision for pupils’ welfare, health and safety (standard 3) and must:

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Compliance with regulatory requirements

 ensure that the designated teacher with responsibility for child protection undertakes the required training as required by DCSF guidance Safeguarding children and safer recruitment in education (2007) (paragraph 3(2)(b))  as a matter of urgency ensure that approved safety checks on all its electrical appliances are made in accordance with the DCSF guidance Health and safety: responsibilities and powers (DCSF 0803/2001) (paragraph 3(4))  maintain an admission register that details date of entry and leaving, school left for and full details of parents/guardians in accordance with the Education (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2006 (paragraph 3(9))

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Compliance with regulatory requirements

The school does not meet all requirements in respect of the premises and accommodation (standard 5) and must:

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Compliance with regulatory requirements

 provide appropriate arrangements for providing outside space for pupils to play safely (paragraph 5(t))

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What the school could do to improve further

While not required by the regulations, the school might wish to consider the following points for development:  share the outstanding practice in secular subjects with the teaching of the Islamic curriculum  enliven the long Hifz classes through the introduction of some Quranic Arabic vocabulary within these lessons so that pupils can engage more with what they are memorising.

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School details

Name of school Al-Mizan School DCSF number 211/6392 Unique reference number 133646 Type of school Muslim Primary Status Independent Date school opened February 2002 Age range of pupils 7-11 Gender of pupils BOYS Number on roll (full-time pupils) Boys: 36 Number of pupils with a statement of special educational need Boys: 0 Number of pupils who are looked after Boys: 0 Annual fees (day pupils) £2000 Address of school 46 Whitechapel Road London E1 1JQ Telephone number 0207 650 3070 Fax number 0207 650 3071 Email address admin@leacademy.com Headteacher Mr Musleh Faradhi Proprietor East London Mosque Reporting inspector Israr Khan AI Dates of inspection 14-15 November 2007

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