Ethos

The Islamic ethos of the academy is of utmost importance. In order to promote the Islamic ethos, Iqra Academy places strong emphasis on Islamic manners, behaviour, punctuality, Islamic dress code, mutual respect for fellow pupils and utmost respect for staff and parents. Iqra Academy will provide facilities for pupils to fulfil their Islamic obligations, such as Wudhu and Salah, a special timetable in Ramadhan and holidays according to the Islamic calendar.

At Iqra Academy, we will teach most of the National Curriculum subjects to incorporate the Islamic perspective where appropriate. Alongside the National Curriculum, we will also teach additional subjects which enhance the pupils’ Islamic knowledge and understanding according to the teachings of the Qur’an and Sunnah. The following National Curriculum subjects will be offered at Iqra Academy:

  • English
  • Mathematics
  • Science
  • ICT
  • Humanities (Geography & History)
  • P.E
  • Art & Design
  • PHSE/Citizenship
  • A modern foreign language (Urdu)
  • Technology

We also offer the following Islamic subjects for all our pupils:

  • Arabic language
  • Quranic Studies/Tajweed
  • Hadith Studies
  • Islamic History
  • Islamic Studies
  • Fiqh

PROMOTING BRITISH VALUES

The Iqra Academy is committed to serving its community. Within our caring ethos, we have always embodied British values. We recognise the multi-cultural, multi-faith and ever-changing nature of the United Kingdom. We also understand the vital role we have in ensuring that groups or individuals within the school are not subjected to intimidation or radicalisation by those wishing to pressurise, or illegally influence them.

We agree with and uphold Department for Education’s five British Values:

  • Democracy
  • The rule of law
  • Individual liberty
  • Mutual respect
  • Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs

The examples below summarise the ways in which the Iqra Academy seek to embed British Values:

The principle of democracy is consistently being reinforced at the Iqra Academy, with democratic processes being used for important decisions within the school community, for instance, elections being held for “Student Representatives” for the Schools Student Council.

Citizenship lessons play an active part in educating students about DEMOCRACY and all students have the opportunity to input to their own student “LINK” Newsletter.

The Student Voice is very strong at the Iqra Academy and we feel that, by valuing and responding to the students, we demonstrate their democracy and freedom.

The Student Council have themselves appointed School Ambassadors in Charity, Media, Sports and Social activities. They play a massive role in supporting charities, not only choosing the activities that they do to raise money, but also making decisions regarding where the money that has been raised goes.  Over the past year, students from the Iqra Academy have supported the Children of Adam Charity and specifically sponsored an orphan from Syria.

The importance of the rule of law, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced at the Iqra Academy. Students are taught the rules and expectations of the school, sign a HOME SCHOOL AGREEMENT stating that they and their parent/carers understand and agree to follow rules and our rules are consistently reinforced through our assemblies and curriculum.

Students are taught about the consequences of not abiding by rules both within school – through our Iqra Academy School Behaviour policy and procedures – showing clear consequences, and are also regularly taught and reminded about UK law on a range of different topics, including equality and e-safety. Throughout the year, we welcome a range of visitors from the Health Service, the Police, Religion, Education and a range of speakers from local and national charities who reinforce this message.

The rule of law is explored through Citizenship lessons in which students learn about law making and administration.  It is also emphasised that all people are equal before the law.

At the Iqra Academy, students are actively encouraged to make independent choices, with the knowledge that they are in a safe, secure, and supportive environment. Staff at the Iqra Academy work hard to provide a positive culture using our care ethos – educating students and providing them with boundaries enabling them to make informed choices, through a safe and empowering education. Students are all encouraged to challenge themselves and to set personal targets through Student reviews and Individual Learning Plans. We offer a range of enrichment activities, which students have the right to choose from, based on their interests.

Students are also encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and person freedoms and are advised on how to exercise these safely – for example, through e-safety. The Iqra Academy has a robust anti-bullying culture and has in place a comprehensive Anti-Bullying Policy.

Students are encouraged to understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and advised to exercise these safely, through assemblies, PSHE and other subjects.  This can also include their freedom of choice when participating in extra-curricular activities.

At the Iqra Academy, we aim for students to become independent, believing this can boost and nurture a healthy self-esteem.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, The Human Rights Act and how these link to personal responsibilities are all taught through the Citizenship curriculum.

Respect is a strong part of Iqra Academy and is at the core of our school life – Students Respect campaign, which has been written and circulated by the Student Council. Students learn that their behaviours have an effect on their own rights and those of others. All members of the school community treat each other with respect and this is reiterated through our teaching and learning environments. Mutual respect is embraced throughout the curriculum by providing the opportunity for students to express their views in a safe environment.

This is achieved through equipping students with the ability to understand their place in a culturally diverse society and by giving them opportunities to experience such diversity through a culturally rich and diverse curriculum. Iqra Academy promotes EQUALITY and students are regularly reminded of school and UK policy as well as being given a vast array of opportunities to self–express. We invite in a range of outside speakers and draw from our multi-faith staff, to deliver assemblies and activities which promote tolerance and understanding.

Iqra Academy students play an active role in the Interfaith Annual celebration at the Peterborough Cathedral.

Students are widely taught about anti-discrimination laws as well as understanding diversity in the UK through their Citizenship lessons