Rochdale Islamic Academy

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 18 March 2025

Pupils thrive at this school. They represent their school with pride. Pupils exhibit the high level of respect and exceptional manners that are modelled by staff. Pupils consistently rise to and realise the high aspirations that the school has for their conduct and achievement. They extend a warm welcome to visitors at the school. Most pupils achieve well. Pupils are happy here. Pupils enjoy taking on leadership roles at the school. As ambassadors, older pupils provide their peers with helpful guidance about how to keep themselves safe and healthy, fundamental British values and the importance of regular attendance. This helps pupils to become confident and resilient young people. The school provides pupils with many opportunities to contribute to the community. Pupils raise money for local and national charities. They appreciate the time that they receive for reflection and meditation. This helps pupils to care for their mental health. Pupils enjoy a range of trips such as to museums and places of worship, which strengthens their understanding of the subjects that they study. Pupils aspire to achieve great things in their futures. They gain valuable insights from a comprehensive careers education programme, which includes visits from school alumni and various local professionals.

What the school should improve

• At times, the school designs activities that do not help pupils to develop a secure knowledge of the subjects that they study. This prevents pupils, including some with SEND, from achieving as well as they should. The proprietor should ensure that it supports staff to design learning activities that prepare pupils well for each step in their education.
• The school does not routinely check what pupils have learned and remembered. As a result, some errors and misconceptions go unnoticed and persist over time. The proprietor should ensure that staff check pupils' understanding and address any misconceptions, enabling them to build key knowledge and tackle more complex learning.
• Some pupils do not receive the support that they need to become fluent readers. When this happens, these pupils struggle to access some parts of the school's curriculum. The school should ensure that it provides these pupils with the help that they need to develop their reading fluency, so that they can learn the school's ambitious curriculum with success.

Read the full Ofsted report (opens in a new tab)