Al Ghaf Private School

Children make a good start in FS because their teachers are doing a thorough job. Children are doing well with their reading and writing because they have been taught letters and sounds really well. They learn and practise their numbers regularly and enjoy investigations in science. Students in primary are now doing better in mathematics and science than they were, but they need more help to do better in Arabic and Islamic education, and in English to develop their reading and writing.

Students are happy at this school. Their attendance is outstanding. They understand Islamic values such as giving, honesty, and respecting their elders. Students behave well. They follow the school rules and are kind to each other. They know that it is important to eat well, keep fit and look after themselves and the world they live in. They work hard and enjoy taking on responsibilities such as becoming a student ambassador.

Teaching has improved since the previous inspection. In the Foundation Stage (FS), lessons are carefully planned to give children a good start. In primary, teachers plan carefully, but sometimes in lessons they do not change their teaching approach to make certain that everyone is keeping up. Some staff have not been trained in helping students to read. Teachers do not use assessment information as well as they could to make sure they are matching work to students' abilities.

Teachers and students get along well together. Teachers care about students' feelings and students believe that teachers have created a positive atmosphere at school. Students are developing a growing understanding about their own and other people's wellbeing. The school puts on clubs and events after school so that students may enjoying following their interests beyond the school day. Students know which adults can help them when they are worried or upset.

Senior leaders are committed to improving inclusion. The school quickly identifies students who need extra support with learning, or those students who are learning English, but leaders and teachers are not yet as good as they could be at identifying students who are are ready for more difficult work. Parents of students who need extra support with learning meet their child's teacher regularly to talk about the progress their child is making and how they can help.

The new principal has brought educational expertise, vison and direction to the school. She is honest in her evaluation of what still needs to be done. She has gathered a new senior team who share her view of the importance of getting things right for students, and has appointed new middle leaders who show promise in their new roles. Sensibly, the governors have invested wisely in qualified teachers to improve the school.