Azhar Academy

Elham Asaad Buaras

An East London-based Muslim girls’ school has been hailed as “outstanding” following an inspection by the education watchdog in March.

In their inspection report published last month, Ofsted inspectors said Azhar Academy, which also includes a nursery and a primary school, had a fantastic school culture that helped its students to achieve academic success. Inspectors gave the school the highest possible rating in all areas.

Students participate in clubs and extracurricular activities after school, according to school staff. Students study the full national curriculum along with faith-based studies 80 percent of the time.

The school said its values, both British and Muslim, have an emphasis on tolerance and an understanding of the importance of education, which were key to its successful school culture.

Many of the school’s students have won places at universities, including Oxford, Cambridge, and King’s College London. The pupils are also active in the community, and have led campaigns on issues including domestic violence and supporting disability.

Rookshana Adam, the Academy’s Executive Head Teacher, said the school’s values were key to its success. She said, “The teaching of British values is important to us. These values include democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect, along with tolerance for those of different faiths and beliefs.

“As a school with a Muslim ethos, each of these values are not just ‘British’, but principles that Islam teaches.

We ask our students to oppose all forms of discrimination and prejudice – not just because it’s the British thing to do, but because it’s the right thing to do.”, which also includes a nursery and a primary school, had a fantastic school culture that helped its students to achieve academic success. Inspectors gave the school the highest possible rating in all areas.

Students participate in clubs and extracurricular activities after school, according to school staff. Students study the full national curriculum along with faith-based studies 80 percent of the time.

The school said its values, both British and Muslim, have an emphasis on tolerance and an understanding of the importance of education, which were key to its successful school culture.

Many of the school’s students have won places at universities, including Oxford, Cambridge, and King’s College London. The pupils are also active in the community, and have led campaigns on issues including domestic violence and supporting disability.

Rookshana Adam, the Academy’s Executive Head Teacher, said the school’s values were key to its success. She said, “The teaching of British values is important to us. These values include democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect, along with tolerance for those of different faiths and beliefs.

“As a school with a Muslim ethos, each of these values are not just ‘British’, but principles that Islam teaches. We ask our students to oppose all forms of discrimination and prejudice – not just because it’s the British thing to do, but because it’s the right thing to do.”