A SOUTHAMPTON school where pupils feel “happy and safe” has been told it requires improvements due to poor management and leadership.

Fitrah Sips, described on its website as "the Southampton Islamic Primary and Secondary", has dropped in rating during its most recent Ofsted report published on February 7.

Watchdogs visited the Northam school on Northumberland Road on November 16 last year.

The school was dropped from a 'good' rating to a 'requires improvement' following the inspection.

Out of the five categories only leadership and management was branded as requires improvement.

Inspectors found that no strategic or independent oversight of the school.

They said that "the proprietor needs to make sure that there are clear and effective systems in place".

"The proprietor needs to make sure that there are clear and effective systems in place to enable trustees to hold the headteacher to account for" improving the school.

The report added: "Some record-keeping and procedures for management oversight are inefficient and disorganised.

"This hinders leaders’ ability to run the school efficiently and creates a potential risk to effective safeguarding.

"Leaders need to improve the quality and management of records so that they are better able to evidence the work they do, including when recruiting staff and keeping children safe."

Inspectors also found that pupils are "proud" to attend the school and enjoy learning about their Muslim faith and heritage.

Pupils are "happy and safe" at the school and say that small class sizes means they can be friends with everyone.

Inspectors said: "Pupils follow a broad curriculum that is adapted well to match the needs and interests of pupils in this Islamic school. For example, in history, pupils enjoy studying Islamic history as well as British and world history.

"Pupils consider learning Arabic and the Qur’an as core subjects alongside the more traditional core subjects of English and mathematics."

Students also regularly raise money for local charities and are currently taking part in a ‘green influencers’ project by helping to improve the local community playground.

The Daily Echo contacted Fitrah Sips for a comment.