Luqman Academy

School progress monitoring inspection report

p.1

Luqman Academy Tinsley Park Road, Sheffield, Sheffield, South Yorkshire S9 5DL

p.1

Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraph 2A(1), 2A(1)e, 2A(1)(g), 2A(2)  At the time of the previous monitoring inspection in September 2023, the school did not have a written relationship and sex education (RSE) policy. Parents had not been consulted or informed about what information the curriculum contained. They were also not made aware of their right to withdraw their children from elements of the programme. While new leaders had started to develop the RSE policy, it was not shared effectively with parents.  Since then, the school has worked extensively to ensure that these standards are met in full. An RSE policy has been written and shared with parents in several different ways, such as through the school website and through individual messages from parents. The policy includes information about a parent’s right to withdraw pupils from elements of the programme.  The personal, social and health education and RSE curriculum has been developed and

p.1

Main inspection findings

implemented effectively across the school. All statutory elements of the curriculum are included. Leaders, at all levels, are passionate about the importance of the content of the curriculum. The school strives to explain to parents the importance of all aspects of the curriculum. The school sends out termly updates about the lessons. If parents have any concerns about the content of the curriculum, they are invited into the school to discuss them with leaders.  Pupils talk with confidence about their learning. They have a strong understanding of fundamental British values, citizenship and different world faiths and cultures. The diversity of the pupils in the school and of the wider community is valued. Pupils are respectful of others. The school uses the curriculum effectively in order to ensure that pupils are prepared well for life in modern day Britain.  The standards in this part are met. Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

p.1

Main inspection findings

Paragraph 7, 7(a), 7(b)  The previous monitoring inspection identified numerous weaknesses in the school’s safeguarding processes. While the new proprietor had identified these, they had not sufficiently embedded newly introduced systems or processes to record incidents. Staff had not received training to report concerns.  The school has worked urgently to address these weaknesses. The proprietor and school leaders have created a strong culture of safeguarding across the school. They have implemented secure systems to ensure that any safeguarding concerns are quickly identified and addressed. The systems the school has introduced ensures that all records are clear and detailed. The school seeks and utilises expertise from the local authority when they need advice. They ensure that all concerns are followed up swiftly.  The designated safeguarding lead is knowledgeable and has a detailed understanding of

p.2

Main inspection findings

pupils’ needs. All staff receive regular training in all aspects of safeguarding. The school ensures that this training is revisited regularly through quizzes and termly updates.  The school has a good understanding of contextual risks for pupils. They ensure that the curriculum is used effectively in order to address issues such as social media pressures or online safety. Specific risks, such as road safety in the local area, are regularly addressed with pupils. The school is determined to ensure that all pupils know how to keep themselves safe both physically and when they are online.  The standards in this part are met. Paragraph 16, 16(a), 16(b)  At the time of the last inspection, due to the recent change of proprietor, many documents relating to the health and safety requirements for the school were not available. The school could not share any risk assessments for any activities or for the

p.2

Main inspection findings

school environment. There was no written risk assessment policy.  The school now has a clear and detailed health and safety policy. Fire precautions are in place and all staff receive annual training in fire safety. The health and safety policy clearly outlines first-aid training expectations and procedures. However, the school has not yet embedded systems to ensure that leaders have oversight of how these policies are implemented. At the time of the inspection, the proprietor was aware of the need to further develop quality assurance systems.  The school takes risk assessment seriously. They have introduced many risk assessment management proformas. These are used to ensure that numerous safety checks are carried out on the building daily, weekly and termly. However, the risk assessment policy, while in place, is still being embedded. This means that some of the safety checks carried out are duplicated. Others are not carried out routinely enough. The school

p.2

Main inspection findings

would benefit from streamlining their approaches to risk assessment further. New leaders are aware of the need for all checks to be proportionate and regularly recorded.  The standards in this part are met. Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraph 18(2), 18(2)(a), 18(2)(b), 18(2)(d), 18(2)(e), 18(3), 20(6), 20(6)(a), 20(6)(a)(i), 20(6)(a)(ii), 20(6)(b), 20(6)(b)(i), 20(6)(b)(iii), 20(6)(c), 21(1), 21(2), 21(3), 21(3)(a), 21(3)(a)(ii), 21(3)(a)(iii), 21(3)(a)(v), 21(3)(a)(vi), 21(3)(a)(viii), 21(3)(b), 21(6), 21(7), 21(7)(a), 21(7)(b)  The school’s single central record was found to be partially compliant at the time of the last inspection. Important checks on staff identity, right to work in the UK and medical fitness were in place. However, some other important checks were not completed. Some staff members were still awaiting checks to ensure that they were not barred from

p.2

Main inspection findings

regulated activity, and no risk assessments were in place to mitigate any risks associated with this. The proprietor board had also not ensured that further checks, required by the secretary of state, regarding members of staff who had worked overseas were completed.  The school has now embedded their approach to ensuring that all relevant checks are completed in a timely manner. The single central record is complete for all staff, governors and proprietor board members. The purposes of all safety checks are well understood.  The standards in this part are met. Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b), 34(1)(c)  The new leaders and managers were beginning to address the standards that were not met at the last monitoring inspection. However, the work was in the very early days of being implemented.  Since that date, the new leaders have worked consistently to develop their vision for the

p.3

Main inspection findings

school. They are working closely with local authority representatives to develop systems and practices relating to safeguarding and attendance. A new governing body has been formed, which is also starting to provide support for the school.  The newly constructed senior leadership team are knowledgeable and determined. There is a shared vision for further improvement. As many staff are new to the school, an induction process has been introduced to ensure that this vision is well understood by all.  The new proprietor board recognise that there is further work to do to ensure that they have consistent oversight of some of the newer systems and processes, such as how often the risk assessment checks are recorded. They are clear about how these improvements will be made. They recognise that clearer oversight will support them to ensure that the standards are consistently met.  The standards in this part are met.

p.3

Compliance with regulatory requirements

The school meets the requirements of the schedule to the Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014 (‘the independent school standards’) and associated requirements that were checked during this inspection. This included the standards and requirements that the school was judged to not comply with at the previous inspection. Not all of the standards and associated requirements were checked during this inspection.

p.4

Part 1. Quality of education provided

 2A(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor- – 2A(1)(e) makes and keeps up to date a separate written statement of its policy with regard to the provision of education as required by each of paragraphs (a) and (b), – 2A(1)(g) publishes a copy of the statement on a website and provides a copy of the statement free of charge to anyone who asks for one.

p.4

Part 1. Quality of education provided

 2A(2) Arrangements made by the proprietor for the purposes of sub-paragraph (1)(b) must ensure that where a pupil’s parent requests that the pupil is wholly or partly excused from sex education provided as part of relationships and sex education, the pupil is so excused until the request is withdrawn, unless or to the extent that the head teacher considers that the pupil should not be so excused.

p.4

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

 7 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that- – 7(a) arrangements are made to safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils at the school; – 7(b) such arrangements have regard to any guidance issued by the Secretary of State.

p.4

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

 16 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that- – 16(a) the welfare of pupils at the school is safeguarded and promoted by the drawing up and effective implementation of a written risk assessment policy; and – 16(b) appropriate action is taken to reduce risks that are identified.

p.4

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors

 18(2) The standard in this paragraph is met if- – 18(2)(a) no such person is barred from regulated activity relating to children in accordance with section 3(2) of the 2006 Act where that person is or will be engaging in activity which is regulated activity within the meaning of Part 1 of Schedule 4 to that Act; – 18(2)(b) no such person carries out work, or intends to carry out work, at the school in contravention of a prohibition order, an interim prohibition order, or any direction made under section 128 of the 2008 Act or section 142 of the 2002 Act, or any disqualification, prohibition or restriction which takes effect as if contained in either such direction; – 18(2)(d) the proprietor ensures that, where relevant to any such person, an enhanced criminal record check is made in respect of that person and an enhanced criminal record certificate is obtained before or as soon as practicable after that person’s

p.4

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors

appointment; – 18(2)(e) in the case of any person for whom, by reason of that person living or having lived outside the United Kingdom, obtaining such a certificate is not sufficient to establish the person’s suitability to work in a school, such further checks are made as the proprietor considers appropriate, having regard to any guidance issued by the Secretary of State; and  18(3) The checks referred to in sub-paragraphs (2)(c) and (except where sub paragraph (4) applies) (2)(e) must be completed before a person’s appointment.  20(6) The standard in this paragraph is met in relation to an individual ("MB"), not being the Chair of the school, who is a member of a body of persons corporate or unincorporate named as the proprietor of the school in the register or in an application to enter the school in the register, if- – 20(6)(a) MB- – 20(6)(a)(i) is not barred from regulated activity relating to children in accordance with

p.5

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors

section 3(2) of the 2006 Act where that individual is or will be engaging in activity which is regulated activity within the meaning of Part 1 of Schedule 4 of that Act; and – 20(6)(a)(ii) does not carry out work, or intend to carry out work, at the school in contravention of a prohibition order, an interim prohibition order, or any direction made under section 128 of the 2008 Act or section 142 of the 2002 Act or any disqualification, prohibition or restriction which takes effect as if contained in either such direction; – 20(6)(b) subject to sub-paragraphs (7) to (8), the Chair of the school makes the following checks relating to MB- – 20(6)(b)(i) where relevant to the individual, an enhanced criminal record check; – 20(6)(b)(iii) where, by reason of MB’s living or having lived outside the United Kingdom, obtaining an enhanced criminal record certificate is not sufficient to establish MB’s suitability to work in a school, such further checks as the Chair of the school

p.5

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors

considers appropriate, having regard to any guidance issued by the Secretary of State; – 20(6)(c) subject to sub-paragraph (8), where the Secretary of State makes a request for an enhanced criminal record check relating to MB countersigned by the Secretary of State to be made, such a check is made.  21(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor keeps a register which shows such of the information referred to in sub-paragraphs (3) to (7) as is applicable to the school in question.  21(2) The register referred to in sub-paragraph (1) may be kept in electronic form, provided that the information so recorded is capable of being reproduced in legible form.  21(3) The information referred to in this sub-paragraph is- – 21(3)(a) in relation to each member of staff ("S") appointed on or after 1st May 2007, whether- – 21(3)(a)(ii) a check was made to establish whether S is barred from regulated activity

p.5

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors

relating to children in accordance with section 3(2) of the 2006 Act; – 21(3)(a)(iii) a check was made to establish whether S is subject to any direction made under section 128 of the 2008 Act or section 142 of the 2002 Act or any disqualification, prohibition or restriction which takes effect as if contained in such a direction; – 21(3)(a)(v) an enhanced criminal record certificate was obtained in respect of S; – 21(3)(a)(vi) checks were made pursuant to paragraph 18(2)(d); – 21(3)(a)(viii) checks were made pursuant to paragraph 18(2)(e), – 21(3)(b) in relation to each member of staff ("S"), whether a check was made to establish whether S is subject to a prohibition order or an interim prohibition order, including the date on which such check was completed.  21(6) The information referred to in this sub-paragraph is, in relation each member ("MB") of a body of persons named as the proprietor appointed on or after 1st May

p.5

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors

2007, whether the checks referred to in paragraph 20(6)(b) were made, the date they were made and the date on which the resulting certificate was obtained.  21(7) The information referred to in this sub-paragraph is, in relation to each member of a body of persons named as the proprietor in post on 1st August 2007 who was appointed at any time before 1st May 2007- – 21(7)(a) whether each check referred to in sub-paragraph (6) was made; and – 21(7)(b) whether an enhanced criminal record certificate was obtained, together with the date on which any check was completed or certificate obtained.

p.6

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

 34(1) The standard about the quality of leadership and management is met if the proprietor ensures that persons with leadership and management responsibilities at the school- – 34(1)(a) demonstrate good skills and knowledge appropriate to their role so that the independent school standards are met consistently; – 34(1)(b) fulfil their responsibilities effectively so that the independent school standards are met consistently; and – 34(1)(c) actively promote the well-being of pupils.

p.6

School details

This inspection was carried out under section 109(1) and (2) of the Education and Skills Act 2008, the purpose of which is to advise the Secretary of State for Education about the school’s suitability for continued registration as an independent school.

p.7

School details

Dates of previous standard inspection 7 to 9 December 2021

p.7

Information about this school

 The school was judged at the last inspection in December 2021. At that time, the school was called Seraphic Academy. Following this inspection, the school requested a material change of proprietor body and change of school name. This was confirmed by the Department for Education in February 2024.  In September 2023, the school had a previous additional inspection. At this point, the school was found to not be meeting a number of the independent school standards. The school submitted an action plan regarding the standards in January 2024. This was found to be unsatisfactory.  The school does not use any alternative provision.  The school is registered to admit 240 pupils. There are currently 156 on roll aged 4 to 16.  The school operates from Tinsley Park Road, Sheffield, Sheffield, South Yorkshire S9 5DL.  The school has an Islamic faith ethos.  The school currently operates a creche for the children of staff members. This creche

p.7

Information about this school

admits children under 4 years old on a full-time and part-time basis. The Department for Education has been informed that the school may be operating beyond its current registration. The school is seeking guidance on this and may seek a material change in the future.

p.8

Information about this inspection

 This inspection was carried out at the request of the registration authority for independent schools. The purpose of the inspection was to monitor the progress the school has made in meeting the independent school standards and other requirements that it was judged to not comply with at its previous inspection.  This progress monitoring inspection was conducted without notice.  To check compliance with the independent school standards, the inspector met with the proprietor, the headteacher and other staff. They toured the school site and scrutinised school policies and records. They looked at schemes of work for RSE and discussed learning with a small number of pupils. They also considered the pupils’ views of other aspects of their experiences in the school.  The inspection also considered the school’s safeguarding arrangements, including the single central register of pre-employment checks and whether the school’s safeguarding

p.9

Information about this inspection

policy is available to parents and carers. These requirements of the independent school standards are met.

p.9

Inspection team

Andrea Batley, lead inspector His Majesty’s Inspector guidance ‘Raising concerns and making a complaint about Ofsted’, which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.gov.uk/government/publications/complaints-about-ofsted . If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.9

Inspection team

Parent View You can use Parent View to give Ofsted your opinion on your child’s school. Ofsted will use the information parents and carers provide when deciding which schools to inspect and when and as part of the inspection.

p.10

Inspection team

You can also use Parent View to find out what other parents and carers think about schools in England. You can visit www.parentview.ofsted.gov.uk , or look for the link on the main Ofsted website: www.gov.uk/ofsted .

p.10

Inspection team

excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children’s social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

p.10

Inspection team

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open- government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.10

Inspection team

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.10

Inspection team

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.10