Alhamdulillah, with the grace of the Almighty, the continued support of our parents and well-wishers and the invaluable commitment from our staff members, we have passed with remarkable success the Ofsted inspection held at our school on 15-16th November.

Below, we have provided links for the official Ofsted report (also available from the Ofsted website) as well as the letter sent from our head-teacher to parents summarizing the key points in the report.

• Ofsted Azhar Academy Report - Published 04-12-07 - PDF 128KB

• Report Summary Letter - Posted 05-12-07 - PDF 52KB

Please click on the links below to read the desired section:

THE CURRICULUM
ISLAMIC STUDIES AND AALIMAH COURSE
PAST RESULTS
ADMISSION POLICY
SCHOOL FEES
THE SCHOOL DAY
SCHOOL DINNERS
SCHOOL UNIFORM
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
BOOKS AND STATIONERY
HOMEWORK
THE ROLE OF PARENTS/GUARDIANS
BEHAVIOURAL POLICY
STUDENT PROGRESSION WITHIN THE SCHOOL
COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE

THE CURRICULUM

At Azhar Academy Girls School, we believe that our curriculum should allow equal opportunity of all facets of personal development to flourish, whether they be, linguistic, literary, mathematical, scientific, moral, physical, spiritual, creative, social and/or technological. To this end, our teachers use a range of teaching methods, skills and experience to help each pupil achieve their fullest potential.

Each pupil will follow a curriculum which:
• Is broad-based, balanced and designed to emphasise the relevance of the knowledge, skills and understanding, through learning programmes and experiences.
• Provides continuity of coherent learning experiences as well as progression through the year groups.
• Offers challenge leading to the highest standards of personal achievement, through recognition of individual needs according to ability and aptitude.
• Assesses the progress and attainment of each pupil.
• Records the progress and attainment of each pupil and reports to parents in a way that demonstrates the outcomes of the national curriculum and other accredited assessments. Records experiences and achievements, where relevant in all subjects.

The subjects taught at Key Stage 3 and those offered at Key stage 4 in line with the National Curriculum are detailed in the table below.


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ISLAMIC STUDIES AND THE AALIMAH COURSE

Islamic Studies or the Aalimah Course are taught alongside the above subjects to pupils in all years. The subjects in each course are tabled below.

The Aalimah Course runs for five years for those literate in Urdu, and for six years for pupils who are not literate in Urdu, subject to their passing yearly exams. The additional year allows those unfamiliar with Urdu to achieve proficiency in reading and writing the language, as their set texts and lessons will be in Urdu and Arabic.

Pupils are generally instructed in the following areas during the course:
• Tajweed & Quran
• Arabic Grammar
• History of the Prophets
• Seerah of the Prophet Muhammad SAW and his Companions
• Hadith
• Fiqh
• Translation of the Quran
• Tafseer

It is important to note that two exams are set each year. A certificate of recognition is awarded to each pupil who completes the course successfully. Pupils at AAGS are given a choice of attending the Islamic Studies Course or the Aalimah Course, both of which take place in the afternoon. Parents/Guardians need to state their chosen course when they first register their daughter.

Islamic Studies course includes the following, albeit at a lesser level than the Aalimah Course:

Quran and Tajweed
Seerah of the Prophet
Etiquettes
Hadith
Fiqh
Duas

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PAST RESULTS

Alhumdulillah, as you can see from the tables below, the school has obtained considerably higher percentages of pupils achieving levels five plus and has made progress across all three subjects.  This is due to the hard work and dedication of all our staff and pupils.  SATs examinations are based on the knowledge gained by pupils over the entire Key Stage Three.  Inshallah, with continued hard work and du'as, we hope to build upon this success in the years to come.

* Statistical Source: http://www.newham.gov.uk/content/Education/

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ADMISSION POLICY

The school has currently a two form entry for Year groups 7, 8 and 9 and one each for Year Groups 10 and 11. Admission to Year 7 is open to all girls aged between 10 – 11 years. However priority will be given to:

• Year 6 girls attending Islamic primary schools
• Siblings of girls enrolled with Azhar Academy Girls School
• Daughters/sisters of staff working at Azhar Academy/Azhar Academy Girls School

All pupils seeking admission to Year 7 will sit an entrance test for English, Maths and Islamic Studies. Sample test papers for this test can be obtained from the School Office at a small cost. The first entrance tests are conducted in February/March and another opportunity to sit the entrance test is given in May/June. This allows late applicants a chance to sit the test and an opportunity for some pupils to take re-sits. The first entrance test for enrolments in September 2008 is scheduled for Friday, 28th March.

NB. There is a test fee of £20 which needs to be handed in with the application form.

All applicants will be notified of their results by post. Entry to Year 7 will be based on their performance in the tests undertaken.

In the area of Islamic studies, all prospective students will be expected to:
• Be familiar with the recitation of the Qur'an
• Know the method of performing Wudhu and praying Salah
• Possess knowledge of the basic Seerah (life history) of the Prophet (SAW)
• Know the last ten Surahs of the Qur’an

At the time of submitting the admission application form, please ensure that you have with you the following documents:
• The original copy of your daughter’s birth certificate.
• A form of ID such as your bank statement/driving license/or utility bill which confirms your permanent address.
• Your daughter’s most recent school report from the school she last attended.

The school also accepts applicants for Years 8, 9 and 10. However as the maximum intake per class is 28, pupils will be admitted as spaces permit. Your daughter will be taught for 26 hours & 15 minutes per week, excluding the time taken for assemblies, registration, breaks and lunchtime.

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SCHOOL FEES

At present at AAGS we have two Year 7 classes, two Year 8 classes, two Year 9 classes, one Year 10 class, one Year 11 class and two class for A-level students.

The school fee from September 2008 will be £2200 per annum, which is subject to change in future. This will include the tuition fees, Aalimah Course/Islamic Studies fees, physical education venue hire fees and the initial purchase of exercise books. It can be paid in a choice of options listed below. In the first year there is a registration fee of £500 payable to “AZHAR ACADEMY”. This registration fee is to be paid in total upon acceptance of a place and is non-returnable if the child completes one term or equal to one term with the school. There is also an annual re-registration fee of £100, which is to be paid to “AZHAR ACADEMY” towards the end of each academic year in the month of July.

Parents/guardians who wish to pay by direct debit must ensure that this is set up before the first payment is due. All completed direct debit forms must be handed to the School Office by the 15th August 2007. No forms will be accepted after that date. The right to make payments by direct debit will be forfeited if during the year a payment is missed or the direct debit cancelled. In all such cases payment of fees will be accepted in cash only thereafter.

Payments made by cheque are subject to certain conditions: parents/guardians need to ensure that there are sufficient funds in the payee’s account to prevent cheques from bouncing and that payment by cheques are not stopped for any reason. In cases where these conditions are not met the payee will be liable for the relevant bank charges. In addition, in cases where two cheques for a certain student are stopped or bounce, the school will only accept payments in cash for all outstanding and future fees.

Further information regarding payment of fees and a setting up direct debits can be obtained from the School Office between 8.00am to 12.00pm, Monday to Friday. All payment of fees must be made by an adult and during the above allocated times only.

*All cheques for school fees are payable to “AZHAR ACADEMY GIRLS SCHOOL”.
 

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THE SCHOOL DAY
 

School (Years 7 - 11) Timetable:

The normal school day timetable for Monday to Thursday is as follows:
 

*The School beginning time for students undertaking Aalimah classes is one hour earlier than those taking Islamic Studies classes.

The normal school day timetable for Friday is as follows:
 

Sixth Form (Years 12 & 13) Timetable:

The normal day timetable for Monday to Thursday is as follows:
 

The normal day timetable for Friday is as follows:
 

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SCHOOL DINNERS

Pupils may bring their own pack lunches or choose to have school dinners. School dinners are available at the school as long as there is sufficient demand for this service. Lunches are provided on Mondays to Thursdays at a cost of £6.40 (subject to change), which is payable a week in advance on Fridays. These lunches are not prepared on site but are provided by a Muslim catering company.

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SCHOOL UNIFORM

All pupils have to wear the following uniform prescribed by the School:
Navy Blue abaya with school logo (available from the school)
Light Blue pashmina scarves
Black low heeled shoes
Black socks

Please click here for a picture of our uniform.

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PHYSICAL EDUCATION

For Physical Education lessons pupils are expected to wear the following items:
Navy blue loose jogging bottoms
White full sleeve, knee length Kameez (non-transparent)
White trainers with no logo
Navy blue scarf

At AAGS our pupils attend Durning Hall on Earlham Grove for their Physical Education lessons and Atherton Leisure Centre for their swimming lessons. All pupils have to pay a sum of £12 (payable per term) to cover the cost of hiring out both facilities.

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BOOKS AND STATIONERY

Textbooks are provided by the School to individual pupils and remain the property of the School. Textbooks which are lost or damaged will incur a cost for replacement. Occasionally pupils may also be asked to purchase work books or Islamic studies books if the School deems it necessary. Exercise books must be bought by pupils and are sold at the School Office. All pupils are expected to bring appropriate stationary with them to school .

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HOMEWORK

At AAGS, we believe that homework is a necessary part of a pupil’s learning experience for the following reasons:
• It allows practice and consolidation of work done in class.
• It allows assessment of pupil’s progress.
• It encourages pupils to develop good study habits and to plan and organise their study time.
• It provides opportunities for individualised work.
• It encourages ownership and responsibility for learning.

All pupils receive homework in three subjects daily. Pupils are issued with homework diaries in which all set work is recorded. Subject teachers and the form tutor monitor the diaries carefully. Students who are absent when homework is set are expected to consult their peer’s homework diaries or ask their subject teachers so that they fulfill their homework requirements straight away and do not fall behind the rest of the class. Homework is set according to the age and ability of the pupil. The type and length of homework varies according to the age and ability of the pupil and the subject, but at all times the homework forms a coherent part of a particular subject.

Homework takes a variety of forms which include:
• Learning homework
• Research assignments
• Practical assignments
• Coursework (for GCSE pupils)

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THE ROLE OF PARENTS/GUARDIANS

Parents/guardians are encouraged to discuss homework with their children and to help them plan its completion on time. They are also asked to sign the homework diary once a week, and a space is provided for any comments that they wish to make. Wherever possible, parents/guardians are encouraged to provide a suitable location, away from any distractions for their daughter to complete her homework. It is best, on most occasions, that homework is completed at a desk or table. Parents or Guardians may support what is being learnt by:
• Testing their daughter’s knowledge in preparation for a test
• Checking homework for neatness of presentation
• Directing their child to suitable reference books or other information
• If a student experiences genuine difficulty in completing her homework, parents/ guardians may provide some guidance sufficient to allow the child to solve the problem themselves, rather than giving her the direct answer.

We also encourage and strongly recommend that pupils fulfill all their religious obligations at home, e.g. Salah, Islamic clothing etc.

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BEHAVIOURAL POLICY

MANAGING INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOUR

The school has a structured and well-defined disciplinary procedure for incidences in which pupils breach school rules/guidelines. Pupils displaying inappropriate behaviour are initially given either a verbal explanation or warning by their subject teacher. This is followed by a written referral to their Form Tutor and Islamic co-coordinator, who also discuss their behaviour with them. Following three referrals a pupil is given a detention. If there is no subsequent change in their behaviour or attitude, they are subject to a disciplinary review with the Deputy Head once the pupil has reached three detentions. Pupils are then placed on report for one to two weeks during which time their conduct in school is closely monitored by members of staff. The school normally contacts their parents at this stage who are invited in to discuss their daughter’s conduct.

Any subsequent or ongoing misbehaviour will result in further monitoring of the pupil in the form of another report and then a suspension from the Academy. Such a step is not usually taken without prior consultation with the pupil’s parents, as the school firmly believes in working with both pupils and their parents in order to promote positive and inclusive outcomes for all its students.

In instances where pupils continue to or seriously breach either the school rules or Islamic ethos, this procedure may be overridden on the discretion of the Headteacher and a pupil may be suspended or on rare occasions, even expelled in keeping with guidelines from the DfES. For further details of the school’s behaviour and discipline policy, please contact the school office.

REWARDING GOOD BEHAVIOUR

Positive behaviour and achievement (academic and non-academic) in the school is continuously reinforced by teacher comment, recognition in form time, assembly and the school newsletter, displays, letters to parents, certificates as well as a merit system (as detailed further on). The school also has a Prefect system as well as a Head Girl who is appointed yearly. These students are encouraged to act as role models for their peers and also given certain privileges as well as responsibilities.

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STUDENT PROGRESSION WITHIN THE SCHOOL

ASSESSMENT

At Azhar Academy Girls School, assessment is regarded as an integral part of the teaching and learning process. In addition it is related to the ethos of our school, in that we value each child and provide opportunities for all pupils to fulfill their true potential. For the School, formative and non-formative pupil assessment a useful tool for finding out in a positive way what individual pupils know and understand.

Formative assessment is an ongoing process at AAGS. It is conducted both formally and informally. This assessment gives evidence of a pupil’s learning. Informal assessment happens on a daily basis, where response is usually immediate. It takes place when pupils are working in the classroom or on a one to one basis. Formal assessment is carried out every half term. This allows teachers to assess whether key learning aims objectives have been met.

The School maintains records of assessment to ensure the continuity of the curriculum as the pupil passes from year to year and to monitor how pupils are progressing within each subject area taking account of previous experiences, achievements and support given. This information is passed on every year through record folders, reports and verbal communication. Each pupil is also given a folder to in which samples of work, assessment sheets, teacher’s comments and certificates are recorded. At AAGS, we recognize that all children have gifts and talents and we aim to foster these using a variety of techniques so that each pupil is valued.

LEARNING SUPPORT

At AAGS, we believe that children deserve an education that encourages and motivates them to achieve their full potential. The curriculum and organisation of the school therefore aims to allow each pupil to learn at a pace that is appropriate for them. Less able pupils are able to benefit from differentiated teaching activities, additional assistance from teachers or classroom volunteers and a homework support club which is open to all pupils. Opportunities are also offered to enable the more able pupils to develop fully their abilities as subsequently detailed.

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COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE

 

Aims 

• To ensure that concerns are dealt with swiftly by the most appropriate person.

• To ensure that where parents or third parties are unhappy with the outcome of the complaint, this can be looked at again by someone else within the school.

• To ensure that complaints against the Headteacher are properly investigated by members of the Board of Trustees.

• To ensure that complainants have a clear explanation of the outcome of their compliant and know where they can go next if still unhappy with the decision. 

Objectives

• To try to satisfy and resolve as many concerns as possible so that they do not become complaints.

• To learn from complaints and to modify practices where appropriate.

• Even if the complaint does not receive the answer he or she wishes as a result of following the complaints procedures, that he or she does feel that the complaint has been fully considered and understands the reasons why the school has made the decision it has. 

Procedure 

The arrangements for dealing with complaints about the school curriculum are quite tightly defined and it may well be best for us to consider them informally first (following these procedures) before you may decide to request a formal complaint. 

1.  If any concern arises parents are asked to raise it with a member of staff responsible in the first instance.  The school undertakes to respond initially on any such concern to person to the person who raised the matter within 5 working days.

2.  Concern about a pupil’s progress or any pastoral matters should be raised in the first instance with the form Tutor.  Concerns about individual subject should be raised with the subject teacher.  It is expected that in almost all cases this will lead to an agreement or understanding being reached between the various parties.  You can request an appointment with the subject teacher, in order to try and resolve the compliant at this informal stage.

3.  Formal complaint regarding the curriculum, a pupil’s special educational needs, religious education, exclusions and admissions should be made to the Headteacher.  All such complaints should be made in writing and addressed to the school.

4.   If you feel that you would like to make this complaint to the Headteacher, you should contact the School Office to make an appointment.  If relevant the Headteacher will also ask staff members who are involved for their comments.  We will ensure that you are clear what action or monitoring of the situation, if any, has been agreed.  This will be confirmed in writing to you.  Moist complaints can be resolved by talking to the Headteacher.

5.  If you feel that you wish to make a formal complaint to the Headteacher, you should contact the school to make an appointment and provide a written statement of your complaint outlining the details involved.  The Headteacher will investigate your compliant and ask any relevant staff members for their written comments.  You may be asked to attend another meeting in order to gain additional information.  The school will reply to your complaints within 10 working days, however if this is not possible, we will write to you to explain the delay and give you a target date for a response.

6.  To make a formal complaint to the Board of Trustee must be made in writing. 

The three trustees of Azhar Academy are: 

• Mr Ismail Gangat

• Mr Faisal Bobat

• Mr Ismail Amla

All the above can be contacted using the address and telephone details below: 

                                       Azhar Academy
                                       235a Romford Road
                                       London E7 9HL
                                       Tel: 0208 555 5959        Fax:  0208 534 5960
                                       Email:  contact@azharacademy.org

If you are not still satisfied the school will arrange for your complaint to go before a panel hearing as part of the investigation.  This will be made up of the three Board of Trustee members and Mr Yunis Dudhwala who is an independent member of the panel and not connected to the running of the school.  Parents are welcomed to attend this hearing and can be accompanied by one other person.  Acknowledgment of the complaint and the date(s) of the meetings will be sent to the complainant.  If you wish to attend the panel hearing you must inform the panel on receiving written confirmation of the proposed dates.  All statements and records are kept confidential and details of individual accounts are not discussed with any third parties. 

The panel has the authority to make findings and recommendations.  At the end of the investigation the panel will provide a copy of findings and recommendations to the complainant, proprietors, the Headteacher and the person complained about.   We would normally aim to respond in full within 14 working days.  If the complaint is of a complicated nature or has many individuals or parties involved it may take longer to resolve.  In such as case an explanation explaining the delay and possible target date for dealing with the complaint will be giving to the complainant.  The decision made by the panel is final.

7.   If the complaint concerns the Headteacher than parents should refer directly to the Trustees.  In such cases a meeting with the Headteacher will be held to discuss the complaint and all its history.  The outcome of that meeting will be given in writing to the complainant within 20 working days.  If the complaint is of a complicated nature or has many individuals or parties involved it may take longer to resolve.  In such a case an explanation explaining the delay and a possible time scale for dealing with the complaint will be given in writing to the complainant and the procedure explained above will be followed.

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