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, 2007.

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, AALIMAH & HIFZ-UL-QUR'AN 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
POLICY DOCUMENTS
COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE

THE CURRICULUM

 

The school curriculum is a medium, which provides a sound and comprehensive education for our girls. It complements, deepens and sometimes helps to modify the perceived world in which a pupil moves.

At AAGS we believe that our curriculum should allow equal opportunity of all facets of personal development to flourish.  Whether it be, linguistics and literacy, mathematical, scientific, moral, physical, spiritual, creative, social and technological.

Within the school context, teachers will use methods which their skills training and experiences show them to be most effective in bringing about each pupils 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.

•  Assess the progress and attainment of each pupil.

• To determine whether individual learning objectives have been achieved. 

• To identify the individual pupil’s progress in different aspects of the curriculum.

• To inform the setting of further learning objectives.

• To inform pupils and parents about individual achievements.

• To enable the study of long term trends in pupil performance.

•  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.

Each pupil will keep a folder in which all their achievements are recorded.  It would cover all their subjects, interests and hobbies and anything else pupils feel is worth recording.  During tutorial sessions pupils will be able to keep a regular account of things they do, places they go and other events.  This gives the pupils an opportunity to produce a final national Record of Achievement.

In line with the National Curriculum, the subjects taught include:

§         English
§         Mathematics
§         Biology
§         Chemistry
§         Physics
§         Information communication technology
§         Geography
§         History
§         Arabic
§         Religious education
§         Citizenship
§         Personal and Social Health Education
§         Art
§         Physical Education

Through P.S.H.E pupils are actively prepared for the responsibilities that arise through life, including those offered by family and the working environment, within a multi-cultural and technological society.  The course also aims to help pupils to become effective learners.  Major themes include: 

• Self awareness

• Developing good relationships and respecting the differences between people

• Job opportunities and the world of work

• Economic and social understanding

• Health education

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, AALIMAH & HIFZ-UL-QUR'AN 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 in English, subject to the students passing their yearly exams.

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

HIFZ-UL-QUR'AN COURSE

Alhamdulillah, we have now also planned a structured Hifz-ul-Qur'an (Qur'an memorization course), which will commence in September 2010.

A student will be expected to memorise the entire Quran in a period of four academic years.

In order for a pupil to successfully complete the Quran, InshaAllaah, she will have to memorise the amounts as stated in the chart below, throughout the Hifz period.

HIFZ MEMORIZATION CHART

CRITERIA FOR ENROLMENT

Pupils who would like to enrol for the Hifz Studies will have to make a firm commitment for the entire period of Hifz Course, to meet a set of important requirement. If these requirements are effectively met, InshaAllaah it will become easy to achieve the completion of Hifz of the Holy Quran.

Pupils will have to satisfy our Hifz Course entrance criteria, which will be a written exam as well as an oral exam. The pupil should be able to recite the Quran fluently with a basic knowledge of tajweed, such as Makharij, full and empty mouth letters, Madd, Qalqala, Gunnah, Noon Sakin and Meem Sakin rules. She will also need to provide a reference letter from her previous Quran teacher stating that the pupil will be able to progress in her Hifz Course.

Finally, it is extremely important to know that both parents and daughter will need to make significant sacrifices in order to achieve this noble honour and privilege. Furthermore parents and pupil both need to be aware that their other academic subject should not suffer due to undertaking their Hifz Course.

TIMINGS FOR THE HIFZ COURSE

Monday to Thursday:            7.30am to10am and 4pm to 5pm
Friday:                               12.30pm to 3.00pm

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PAST RESULTS

Alhamdulillah, 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.
 

Alhamdulillah, our results percentage for 2009 our considerably higher than Newham Borough’s average for Key stage three SATs (as shown on the table above) and for Newham Borough GCSEs results, which for 5 GCSE A* – C grades was 46%. I would like to thank all our pupils, staff and parents for their hard work and dedication during the summer examinations.

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

AAGS School Past Results - PDF 80KB

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ADMISSION POLICY


Admission to Year 7

The number of girls to be admitted into Year 7 at age 11 each year is 56.   All pupils who apply will undergo an entrance exam in the following subjects:

§         English
§         Mathematics
§         Islamic studies (written and oral)

Successful pupils will need to attend an interview.

The School holds its main entrance examination in January each year and possibly a second entrance examination in April/May if needed.  Pupils who sit the January entrance may be able to re-sit in the April/May examination providing there are still places available and only after all late applicants have been able to sit the examination. 

If there is oversubscription of eligible applicants, places will be allocated according to the following criteria:

1)      The school will give preference to applicants who have a sister already at AAGS at the time of entry and/or a parent employed at the school.
2)      The school will give preference to pupils who have gained the highest marks in their entrance examinations.
3)      The school will give preference to applicants from Muslim primary schools.
4)      The distance from the school.

Procedure

Application forms are available on AAGS Open Days in October, on request to the School Office or can be downloaded from our website: www.azharacademy.org. The completed forms should be handed back to the School Office where a fee of £30 for the entrance examinations needs to be paid. It is the responsibility of the pupil’s parents/guardians to ensure that the school has the relevant admission documentation before the deadline for applications has passed. The school recommends that completed application forms are hand delivered to the school or, if they are sent by post (recorded delivery), the parents/guardians should ring, before the closing date (January), to check that the application form has arrived.

The Senior Administrator will maintain a formal waiting list of applicants.   Unsuccessful applicants are automatically placed on this formal list.  Parents/guardians are advised that as places become available in the School they will be offered only to applicants on the formal waiting list.  Places will be offered to pupils on the waiting list as vacancies arise and only after they after they have sat and passed the entrance examination for their year group.

The waiting list will be ranked in descending order according to the published Admissions Criteria.  All places are offered on the understanding that there is an acceptance by the parents and the girls, of the school rules, a copy of which is contained in the Prospectus conditions under which pupils are admitted.

Admission to other year groups

Admission to other year groups depends on whether places are available.  Parents/guardians can ring up the School Office to place their daughter on the waiting list and to make enquiries.  Once a place arises parent/guardian will be requested to complete an application form.  On receipt of the application form parent/guardians will also be asked to forward the relevant academic, behaviour, attendance and punctuality report to the School Office.  The Headteacher and Deputy Head will examine the reports and the pupil maybe asked to sit an entrance examination for their year group.  Pupils who are chosen will then be asked to attend an interview with the Headteacher and/or Deputy Head. All the above will be taken into account when making a decision on the pupil’s suitability. 

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SCHOOL FEES

 

The school fee is £2,400 per annum.  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.  All new applicants are subject to a re-registration fee of £100, which is to be paid to “AZHAR ACADEMY” in each academic year in the month of July.  A small fee is also payable in year 10, 11, 12 and 13 to cover the cost of examination entry.

Our figures are still a direct effort to stay as one of the few Muslim schools within the London area to offer low fees.  For this reason we continue to propose the following:

• All Year 11 and Year 13 pupils in September 2010 groups who are in their second year of their GCSE and/or GCE courses are exempt from this increase. 

• Parent/guardians who have more than one daughter in the school (and are not exempt from the increase) will pay £2,400 for the 1st child and £2,200 for the 2nd­ + child in the coming academic year.

• As normal the school fee will include the Islamic and Aalimah Course fees, the cost of hiring physical education facilities and the initial purchase of exercise books.
   

Please see the table below for details of the payment options for the coming academic year. 

Parents/guardians who wish to pay by standing order must ensure that this is set up before the first payment is due. A copy of the completed standing order form must be handed to the School Office. The right to make payments by Standing Order will be forfeited if during the year a payment is missed or the Standing Order 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 bank charge per item.  In addition, in cases where two cheques for a certain student are stopped the school will only accept payments in cash for all outstanding and future fees.  School fees which are paid late cause disruption for the school system and staff.  This often leads to delays and uses up valuable staff time in sorting out late payments.  It is for this reason the school has been obliged to charge a late payment fee of £10 per week until the outstanding amount is paid.

Further information regarding payment of fees and a setting up Standing Order can be obtained from the School Office between 10.30am to 2pm, Monday to Friday.  All payment of fees must be made by an adult and during school hours 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. We are currently in negotiations with a Halal catering company to provide healthy school lunches at a minimum cost. We will update this information once we have finalised the matter.

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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.

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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. The school will provide a set of exercise books - one per subject to each student - in the beginning of each academic year. However, if more are required mid-year, they 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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POLICY DOCUMENTS

All our policy documents and related information can be downloaded below.

•  AAGS Admissions Policy 2009 - PDF 40KB

•  Anti-bullying Policy - PDF 16KB

•  Behaviour Policy - PDF 116KB

•  Child Protection Policy - PDF 28KB

•  Complaints Policy - PDF 28KB

•  Curriculum Policy - PDF 24KB

•  EAL Policy - PDF 16KB

•  Equality Policy - PDF 20KB

•  Gifted and Talented Policy - PDF 28KB

•  Health and Safety Policy - PDF 36KB

•  Special Needs Policy - PDF 20KB
   

•  Staff Qualifications Chart - Sept 2009 - PDF 36KB

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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.

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.

•  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.

•  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.

•  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.

•  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 fro 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. Most complaints can be resolved by talking to the Headteacher.

•  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 fro a response.

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

•  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.

1. Mr Ismail Gangat

2. Mr Faisal Bobat

3. Mr Ismail Amla

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