Rochdale Islamic Academy

Overview

Pupils “thrive at this school,” exhibiting “exceptional manners” and a “high level of respect” modelled by staff. The school provides an “ambitious, well-designed and broad curriculum” that prepares most pupils well for further education or employment. However, inconsistencies in teaching support and assessment mean some pupils do not achieve their full potential.

Strengths

• Pupils demonstrate “exceptional manners” and “high level of respect,” contributing to a positive environment where they “represent their school with pride.”
• The curriculum is “ambitious, well-designed and broad,” with careful consideration given to the “important knowledge that pupils should learn.”
• Personal development is strong, with pupils gaining “valuable insights” from a comprehensive careers programme and opportunities to “contribute to the community.”
• Staff identify the needs of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) “accurately,” enabling most to “learn alongside their peers with success.”
• Older pupils act as ambassadors, providing “helpful guidance” on safety, health, and British values, helping peers become “confident and resilient.”

Areas to improve

• The proprietor must ensure staff are supported to design activities that help pupils develop “secure knowledge,” as current gaps prevent some from achieving as well as they should.
• Staff need to routinely check what pupils have learned to address “errors and misconceptions” that currently “go unnoticed and persist over time.”
• The school must provide targeted help to a small number of pupils who do not receive the support needed to become “fluent readers,” hindering their access to the curriculum.

Safeguarding

The report states that “the arrangements for safeguarding are effective.”