Bahr Academy

Bahr Academy, 1 April 2026 1 Bahr Academy 72 Sceptre Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear NE4 6PR

p.1

report:

Overall outcome The school is likely to meet the relevant independent school standards if the material change relating to the school provision is implemented

p.1

report:

This inspection was commissioned by the Department for Education (DfE), which is the registration authority for independent schools. The school has applied to the DfE to make a material change to its registration. The school proposes to change its premises.

p.1

report:

The purpose of the inspection is to advise the Secretary of State for Education about the school’s likely compliance with the independent school standards that are relevant to the material change that the school has applied to make.

p.1

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

When we carry out material change inspections of independent schools, we report on the school’s likely compliance with part 8 of the independent school standards first. Under part 8, the proprietor is required to ensure that the school meets all of the independent school standards consistently. The standard in part 8 is intended to ensure that the quality of leadership and management at the school is sufficient for that purpose.

p.1

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

The proprietor proposes to change the school premises. These plans involve moving the school to new address with a dedicated building for teaching and learning set within their own grounds and outdoor space. There is no change to the age range, the number of pupils or curriculum the school intends to deliver.

p.1

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

The proprietor and leaders are steadfast in their focus on ensuring pupils at the school do well. The proprietor, along with leaders, believe that the change in premises for the school will afford the school and its pupils the opportunity to Bahr Academy, 1 April 2026 2 learn in a more spacious learning environment providing dedicated outdoor space used only by the school.

p.1

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

The proprietor has further developed its oversight and checks on the work of the school and leaders. Along with trustees, they meet regularly to review the work of the school, including its approach to safeguarding, and the ways in which it continues to meet the independent school standards (the standards). Together, this provides appropriate strategic accountability. This quality assurance extends to the proposed new premises. The proprietor has detailed oversight of the new premises, its refurbishment and readiness to be used as the proposed new site. Together, with checks made regularly by leaders, the proprietor ensures that the school has the capacity to meet the standards over time, including the wellbeing of pupils.

p.2

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

The school is likely to meet the standards in this part if the material change is implemented.

p.2

Safeguarding

The school has a secure and open culture of safeguarding that enables pupils to be kept safe. Leaders with designated responsibilities for safeguarding have up-to- date training. They ensure that staff have the necessary training to fulfil their duties, including ‘Prevent’ duty. The school regularly checks on staff’s knowledge and understanding around safeguarding. Together, this enables staff to pass on any concerns promptly. Staff and leaders are clear on actions to take if they have concerns for a pupil or an adult working in the school.

p.2

Safeguarding

Leaders with designated responsibilities for safeguarding now use a shared paper- based system to log and act on any concerns if they arise. This enables leaders to have oversight of any issues and the actions they may take.

p.2

Safeguarding

The school makes use of other professionals, such as the police, to help staff understand issues in the local area and to help pupils understand risks they may face beyond school. Pupils and staff value this work.

p.2

Safeguarding

Trustees, with the proprietor, make suitable checks on the processes to keep pupils safe.

p.2

Safeguarding

Pupils enjoy coming to school. They feel welcome, safe and have trusted adults to talk to and raise any concerns. Bahr Academy, 1 April 2026 3

p.2

Health and safety and fire

At the last material change inspection, the new premises did not have the appropriate building regulation work completed and approved. Furthermore, some emergency lighting checks had not routinely been implemented following external advice. The building certification and associated lighting checks are now complete.

p.3

Health and safety and fire

The school is systematic in its checks on health and safety. The health and safety policy is effective in implementing health and safety practice and procedures on both sites. At the current site, daily checks ensure that all the areas pupils’ access are safe and this includes the public outdoor space currently used.

p.3

Health and safety and fire

Fire safety checks are in place on both sites. Evacuation routes, plans and fire wardens are clearly displayed around both premises. Firefighting equipment at the new premises is easily accessible and well maintained. The school makes regular and appropriate checks on its fire alarm systems. The new premises has some areas of the building that are not in use. These areas share the same fire alarm system. This helps protect all areas of the building and keep pupils safe in the occupied proposed school part of the site.

p.3

Risk assessment

The school has an appropriate risk assessment policy in place. Risk assessments are routinely written and checked for both sites. Leaders recognise the specificity needed for each site. Risk assessments reflect these differences. This enables leaders to look at ways to reduce risk effectively.

p.3

Risk assessment

The school is likely to meet the standards in this part if the material change is implemented.

p.3

and showers

Both premises have dedicated toilet areas for pupils. At the proposed change of premises, toilets are individual and lockable from the inside. There is a suitable water supply. There is access to an appropriate showering facility. The school intends to use its ongoing arrangement for physical education off site with suitable changing accommodation. There is also sufficient space at the proposed premises for pupils to change. Drinking water across both sites is clearly labelled and accessible to pupils. Bahr Academy, 1 April 2026 4

p.3

Medical room and accommodation for pupils’ therapy needs

Both sites have dedicated medical rooms with washing facilities. The proposed premises offers a medical room that is spacious and provides a suitable space for pupils to be treated in comfort and privacy. There is a toilet close by.

p.4

Ensuring the health, safety and welfare of pupils

The proposed new premises have been refurbished to a high standard. Consideration has been taken to ensure, for example, that the first-floor sash windows do not pose a risk. The new premises provide pupils with the space to learn in a safe and welcoming environment.

p.4

Ensuring the health, safety and welfare of pupils

The proposed school shares the same building where the second phase of work is incomplete. This part of the building and site is clearly demarcated and fenced off as out of bounds. Pupils have no access to this area of the site.

p.4

Lighting and acoustic conditions

The lighting and acoustics across the current and proposed school buildings are suitable. In the proposed premises, classrooms have adequate lighting and also have an abundance of natural light. The flooring across this site enables noise to be dampened effectively. There is a large site to navigate and to gain access to the school entrance. The pathway to the school offers extensive external lighting along the proposed walkway and entrance area.

p.4

Outdoor space

The current school’s outdoor space is a shared public area with appropriate health and safety measures in place. At the proposed premises, extensive outdoor space is available solely for use by the school. This space enables pupils to socialise and play together well. The school intends to continue to use its current arrangement with an off-site location for the teaching of physical education. The new site has the space for physical education to be taught on site.

p.4

Outdoor space

The school is likely to meet the standards in this part if the material change is implemented.

p.4

Part 6. Provision of information

The school publishes its safeguarding policy on the school website. The policy is updated at least annually. It reflects the statutory guidance for schools. It provides the proprietor, leaders and staff with the important information and guidance to keep children safe. It enables a secure and consistent culture of safeguarding in the school. Bahr Academy, 1 April 2026 5 The school is likely to meet the standards in this part if the material change is implemented.

p.4

The school’s accessibility plan

The school has a joint accessibility plan for its current site and planned new premises. The plan ensures that pupils’ needs are considered with sufficient detail. The school identifies barriers to pupils accessing the curriculum, parents accessing important information and access to the current and new premises. It considers appropriate adaptations or adjustments for pupils, parents, carers and staff. The accessibility plan is reviewed regularly.

p.5

The school’s accessibility plan

The proprietor has ensured that Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010 is likely to be met.

p.5

About this inspection

Inspectors carried out this inspection under section 162(4) of the Education Act 2002, at the request of the registration authority for independent schools. Inspectors checked the school’s likely compliance with the independent school standards. These are the requirements set out in the schedule to the Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014.

p.5

About this inspection

Inspectors checked the school’s likely compliance with the independent school standards. These are the requirements set out in the schedule to the Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014.

p.5

About this inspection

Following our updated inspection framework, all inspections are now led by His Majesty’s Inspectors (HMIs) or by Ofsted Inspectors (OIs) who have previously served as HMIs.

p.5

About this inspection

This inspection was commissioned by the Department for Education (DfE) to check the school’s suitability to change its premises.

p.5

About this inspection

The inspector spoke with the headteacher, other school leaders, the proprietor and the adviser to the trustees during the inspection. The inspector also spoke with pupils and staff.

p.5

About this inspection

This is the school’s second material change inspection with regard to a change of premises. The previous material change inspection took place as part of a standard independent inspection in July 2025. This material change inspection also considered an increase in capacity and age range. The current school site has had two pre-registration inspections before the last standard inspection in July 2025 Bahr Academy, 1 April 2026 6 because the proprietor wants to open the current site as a school for boys and relocate the provision for girls to the proposed new site. The two pre-registration inspections were found to have independent school standards that were unlikely to be met related to the current premises. Leaders’ actions since the most recent pre-registration inspection in March 2025 mean that this site now meets the independent school standards.

p.5

About this inspection

The inspector confirmed the following information about the school:

p.6

About this inspection

The school is an Islamic faith secondary school for girls.

p.6

About this inspection

The school does not currently use any alternative provision.

p.6

About this inspection

The school operates from 72 Sceptre Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE4 6PR. It proposes to operate from premises at Benwell Lane, Newcastle upon Tyne NE15 6LX.

p.6

About this inspection

The school is registered to admit 30 pupils.

p.6

About this school

Proprietor Muhammad Abdulmuheet Headteacher Ms Sadia Akhtar Type of school Other independent school Capacity 30 Number of full-time pupils of compulsory school age on roll Number of part-time pupils of compulsory school age on roll Age range of pupils 11 to 16 Gender of pupils Girls Annual fees for day pupils £4,800 annually Email address info@bahracademy.co.uk Bahr Academy, 1 April 2026 7 services providing education and skills for children and learners of all ages, and inspects and regulates services that care for children and young people

p.6

About this school

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.7

About this school

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

p.7

About this school

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

p.7