Ta’allum Academies have a proud record of sustainable school improvement. The Ta’allum Group of schools is characterised by high educational standards and are united in their efforts to help students meet challenging targets for learning outcomes in academic excellence, leadership, and Islamic values. In February each year, Al Maha Boys, Al Maha Girls, and Al Jazeera Academies are subject to an annual two-day visit.

The Reviews are conducted by the Ta’allum Education School Improvement Consultant team, and are led by Dr Mohammed Saefan, Director of Education, and assisted by Principals and Heads of the partner schools. The review appraises the standards in each of the Academies. Reviewers make judgements on key areas of the schools, including:

• the quality of education, with a focus on the effectiveness of teaching and learning and the standards achieved in examinations.
• the behaviour, attendance, and attitudes of students, and the school’s commitment to inculcating and embracing Islamic values.
• personal development, wider opportunities for students and the views of stakeholders.
• leadership and management of each school and of the whole academy.
• maintaining WASC Accreditation status.

In the report, the review team assess if leaders have focussed on and tackled the key points identified for action from the previous report. At this point in time, it is particularly significant to assess how learning gaps have been closed, following the two years of disruption to education caused by the Covid pandemic and lockdown.

As an integral aspect of the review, students and parents are also consulted for them to remark on the changes that have happened in the academies in recent times. Many supportive parents echoed a positive sentiment when expressing their satisfaction with the Academies. One said, “We value how hard the staff are working and appreciate the wonderful support they offer to our children.’

Ta’allum CEO, Mr Ahmed Al Mannai, said ‘Validation from the review team is important for our students and parents. These are their schools. They are the most important people in the buildings, and they make the academies what they are. I am determined that they will feel confident in their own schools, and in the quality of education and support that they all receive. The reviews confirm that our academies are providing an excellent education for our students – this is the goal we aspire to in the Ta’allum Group.”

Each academy is measured against Ta’allum quality indicators and performance standards, so the team can make consistent judgements on the evidence of observed practice both educational and operational. Lessons are observed along with students’ work and behaviour. There is analysis of Ta’allum’s Power BI data and school evidence documents. Each school first carries out a self-evaluation to demonstrate how well they know their school.

Dr Mohammed Saefan, Ta’allum’s Director of Education and Review Team Leader said the Ta’allum Review provides assurance to our stakeholders and the Ta’allum Governing Board that good standards of education, skills and care are being met; that stakeholders are receiving value for money; and that arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The Review visit promotes continuous improvement and holds our schools to account for the money and resources they receive. We provide a thorough assessment of the quality and standards of education in our schools and check whether students are achieving as much as they can.’

The Review process is designed to both challenge and support schools to higher standards. This is essential as the upgraded and raised demands of the new Thanaweyah requirements will be applied for all students graduating in Summer 2024 and subsequently.

At the end of the Review process, each school receives a clear, concise, executive report. All reviewers were agreed that a sense of teamwork and conscientious effort results in a successful Review judgement. In charting their progress since the time of the last review, schools must demonstrate focus, dedication, and commitment on the key points for action from the last report.

There is no ‘resting on laurels’ at Ta’allum academies. Plans to make further strategic improvements in response to the points for action are already in hand to secure Ta’allum’s next stages of development and future success in the next review visit to come.