Pupils at Islamic girls school rise to high expectations

Pupils were described as ‘excellent ambassadors’ for their school following an inspection by Ofsted.

The inspection at the Al Islah Girls’ High School, in Audley Range, took place at the beginning of March.

The Headteacher and chair of governors praised pupils and staff for their efforts and welcomed the report, which saw the private school rated ‘Good’ overall and ‘Outstanding’ in Behaviour and Attitudes.

The report said the atmosphere at the independently run Al Islah Girls’ High School was ‘friendly and welcoming’.

Inspectors said: “The Islamic ethos of the school underpins the teaching of pupils and helps to create the respectful atmosphere that permeates the school. When they join the school, pupils settle in quickly. They are safe and happy here. 

High aspirations and ambition spread through every aspect of this school. This is reflected in pupils’ commendable attitudes to learning and the high-quality work they produce.

Pupils rise to the school’s high expectations. They typically achieve well and are ready for their next steps. Pupils’ behaviour is praiseworthy. They are excellent ambassadors for the school. Pupils care deeply about the school and local community. 

They regularly organise fundraising events. For example, pupils put together pamper packs for a local women’s refuge and make afternoon tea packs for a charity that supports the elderly.”

The report added: “The school’s curriculum identifies the important knowledge that pupils will learn over time. It organises key subject knowledge and skills in a logical order. 

This enables pupils to build their knowledge of the different subjects cumulatively year-on-year. Teachers have strong subject knowledge across all subject areas. Mostly, teachers deliver new knowledge clearly. 

In most subjects, teachers make effective checks on what pupils know and understand.

However, at times, teachers do not consistently use this information well enough to address gaps in pupils’ learning. The school fosters a love of reading among pupils. Many pupils make use of the school’s vibrant library and engage with the newly introduced ‘buddy readers’ school initiative.”

The report went onto say: “Staff are proud to work at the school. They value leaders’ consideration of their well-being and workload. 

The proprietor and governors know the school well. They have strong oversight of the school’s strengths and areas for development.”

The school, which is managed by The Islamic Educational Society, has 155 pupils on the roll and charges £1,800 per year.

Headteacher Nikhat Pardesi said: “I am incredibly proud to share that our school has received a positive Ofsted report, which reflects the hard work, dedication, and commitment of our entire school community. 

This result is a testament to the outstanding efforts of our staff, the enthusiasm of our students, and the ongoing support from our parents and governors. The report highlights our strengths, including the quality of teaching, the progress our students make, and the strong leadership across the school.”

She added: “As we continue to strive for excellence in both academic and moral education, we remain committed to nurturing our students’ growth, not just in knowledge, but also in their character and faith.

We are grateful for the support of our community, and we will continue working hard to ensure that our school is a place where every child can thrive and succeed.”

Chair of governors, Hasan Desai, added: “We are absolutely delighted with the positive outcome of our recent Ofsted inspection. This achievement is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and collaboration of our staff, students, parents, and governors.

The report highlights the strong leadership, high standards of teaching, and the significant progress our students are making.”

He added: “As governors, we are proud to support a school that not only focuses on academic excellence but also places a strong emphasis on the personal and social development of each child.

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the headteacher, staff, and the wider school community for their continued commitment and hard work.

Moving forward, we will remain focused on ensuring that every child at our school is provided with the opportunity to succeed and achieve their full potential.”

Credits by Asian Connect & Business Connect