Apex Secondary School for Girls

Apex Secondary School for Girls is an independent Islamic girls’ school in Ilford. This was its first standard inspection, following registration in February 2025. The school meets the independent school standards in all categories, and safeguarding standards are met. Inspectors judged every evaluated area — achievement, attendance and behaviour, curriculum and teaching, inclusion, leadership and governance, and personal development and wellbeing — to be at the expected standard. Pupils achieve well across a broad, ambitious curriculum. Oracy is a particular strength: pupils listen well and speak confidently and articulately, and they read fluently, write well and apply mathematical reasoning successfully. The school is calm and orderly, pupils are happy and safe, and new pupils and those with barriers to learning are well supported. Leadership is clear-sighted, governance is effective, and staff feel supported. The main areas for development are the school’s management information system, which is not yet providing leaders with the insights it could, and some inconsistency in teaching approaches such as modelling activities. Contextually, the school has grown rapidly and has 35 pupils on roll against a capacity of 125, with a small number of pupils with SEND or EHC plans. The proprietor, Apex Trust, has planned for growth, and leaders are addressing the identified next steps through external evaluation and professional development.

Strengths

• Pupils achieve well across the curriculum, with particular strength in oracy.
• Pupils are confident, articulate and fluent speakers who listen well to others.
• Pupils read fluently and write well across subjects, including extended writing.
• Pupils can explain mathematical reasoning and transfer skills to new problems.
• Pupils with barriers to learning make secure progress from their starting points.
• Attendance is similar to national rates and leaders work effectively to improve it.
• Behaviour is calm and orderly, and pupils have positive attitudes to learning.
• Bullying is not tolerated, and pupils understand respect and tolerance.
• The curriculum is ambitious, broad and prepares pupils well for the next stage.
• Subject curriculums are appropriately sequenced, resourced and taught by staff with subject expertise.
• Teachers use questioning skilfully and create a positive environment for learning.
• Inclusion is effective, with new pupils welcomed and supported to settle quickly.
• Leaders identify pupils’ needs quickly and liaise well with external agencies.
• The proprietor has a clear vision and fulfils statutory responsibilities effectively.
• Staff receive effective professional development and feel supported and valued.
• Leaders build positive relationships with parents and involve them in school life.
• Personal development is well planned and promotes character, respect and citizenship.
• Careers guidance prepares pupils well for future choices and work experience.
• Safeguarding has an open, positive culture and pupils feel safe.

Areas for Improvement

• The management information system is not yet used consistently well to give leaders insights into pupil and staff information.
• Some aspects of teaching, particularly modelling activities, are not consistently embedded across the school.

In 2025–26, 12.1% of pupils at Apex Secondary School for Girls were on SEN support (nationally 18.4%) and 6.1% had an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 7.9%).

Source: Department for Education, Special educational needs in England (the 2025–26 school census). SEN support is extra help in school without an EHC plan. National figures are for all state-funded independent school schools. Counts are as published, with small numbers not hidden.

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What is Apex Secondary School for Girls's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Apex Secondary School for Girls is Expected standard, from an inspection in June 2026.

When was Apex Secondary School for Girls last inspected by Ofsted?

Apex Secondary School for Girls was last inspected in June 2026.

How many pupils does Apex Secondary School for Girls have?

Apex Secondary School for Girls has 33 pupils on roll.

What age range does Apex Secondary School for Girls cover?

Apex Secondary School for Girls for pupils aged 11 to 16.

Where is Apex Secondary School for Girls?

Apex Secondary School for Girls is at 287 Cranbrook Road, Ilford, IG1 4UA.