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The Association of Muslim Schools’
Chairman’s Report
Annual General Meeting
AMS – UK, Birmingham June 2009
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1. YOUR ORGANISATION.
The paid membership of AMS UK for 2008/09 by regional hub:
The North: The Midlands:
Afifah High School for Girls, Manchester Abu Bakr Independent School,
Walsall
Al Mumin Primary School, Bradford Al Birr School, Birmingham
Al-Asr Primary School, Blackburn Al Karam Secondary Sch,
Nottinghamshire
Al-Islah Schools, Blackburn Al-Ameen Primary School, Birmingham
Al-Mahad al-Islam School, Sheffield Al-Aqsa Primary School, Leicester
Bolton Muslim Girls School Al-Burhan Grammar School, Birmingham
Crystal Gardens, Bradford Al-Furqan Community College,
Birmingham
Eternal Light Secondary School, Bradford Al-Furqan Primary School,
Birmingham
Feversham College, Bradford Al-Hijrah Primary School, Birmingham
Institute of Islamic Education, Dewsbury Al-Hijrah Secondary School,
Birmingham
Islamia Girls High School, Huddersfield Al-Hira School, Birmingham
Islamiyah School, Blackburn Birchfield Ind. Girls School, Birmingham
Jamea al Kauthar, Lancaster Birmingham Muslim School
Jamiatul-Ilm Wal-Huda, Blackburn Coventry Muslim School
Kassim Darwish Grammar School for Boys, Manchester Darul Uloom Islamic High School,
Bham
Madni Muslim Girls' High School, Dewsbury Darul Uloom Leicester
Manchester Islamic High School for Girls Hamd House Prep School,
Birmingham
Manchester Muslim Preparatory School Jameah Girls Academy,
Leicester
New Horizon Community School, Leeds Leicester Islamic Academy
Olive Secondary School, Bradford Madani Muslim High School,
Leicester
Paradise Primary School, Dewsbury Normanton House Primary
School, Derby
Preston Muslim Girls' High School Nottingham Islamia School
Rochdale Girls School Palfrey Girls School, Walsall
Tauheedul Islam Girls High School, Blackburn Tiny Tots Pre-School, Leicester
Zakaria Muslim Girls' High School, Batley
London & South East:
Al-Muntada Islamic School, London
Al-Noor Primary School, London
Al-Sadiq and Al-Zahra Schools, London
Apex Primary School, London
Balham Preparatory School, London
Brondesbury College for Boys, London
Bury Park Educational Institute, Luton
Date Valley School, London
Gatton Primary School, Luton
Iqra School, Oxford
Iqra Slough Islamic Primary School
Islamia Girls' High School, London
Islamia Primary School, London
Islamic Shakhsiyah Foundation, London
Islamic Shakhsiyah Foundation, Slough
Jamia Madaniyah Primary School, London
London East Academy and Muslim Centre
Jamiatul Ummah School, London
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King Fahad Academy, London
Lantern of Knowledge Secondary School, London
London Islamic School
Madani Secondary Girls' School, London
Mazahirul Uloom School, London
Noor Ul Islam Primary School, London
Oakwood Primary School, Luton
Olive Tree Primary School, Luton
Suffah Primary School, Hounslow
Tawhid Boys School, London
Tayyibah Girls' School, London
• Those member schools that attend the AGM elect the shura council.
• Shura council elect the office bearers – chairman, deputy chairman and
treasurer.
• Chairman and shura council create and monitor the policies and activities of
AMSUK.
• Chairman and shura council are answerable to member schools for AMSUK’s
performance in implementing policies and activities.
• Each shura member must be part of an AMS Shura Sub-Committee that
regularly reports to the Chairman and the rest of the Shura on their activities.
• Chairman and Sub-Commitees utilise the regional hubs and the central
office to carry out activities.
AMS UK Executive Committee / Shura Council 2008 – 2009
Chairperson, Dr Mohamed Mukadam Madani High School, Leicester
Deputy Chair, Ashfaque Chowdhury Bury Park Educational Institute, Luton
Treasurer, Anwar Teladia Birchfield Independent Girls School,
Birmingham
Fundraising, Haji Idris Mears Derby
Hasina Varachia Palfrey Girls School, Walsall
Amina Sessay Al-Hira School, Birmingham
Mona Mohamed KD Grammar School, Manchester
Tahir Alam Al-Hijrah Trust, Birmingham
Sakina Dambatta New Horizon Community School, Leeds
Someera Butt Al Noor Muslim Primary School, London
Muhammad Akram Khan Cheema OBE Bingley
Ibrahim Hewitt Al Aqsa Primary School, Leicester
Yousuf Seedat Preston Muslim Girls School
Ibrahim Rashid Apex Primary School, London
Fuad Dool Al-Birr School, Birmingham
Ataullah Parkar Birmingham (co-opted to the Shura after
working as Research and Development
Officer)
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2. REPRESENTATION
Press Releases
� Regarding the Civitas think-tank report, Music, Chess and Other Sins:
Segregation, Integration and Muslim Schools in Britain. 19th February 2009.
AMS UK CONDEMNS DIVISIVE AND DISHONEST ARM CHAIR ANALYSIS THAT ENDANGERS
COMMUNITY COHESION
The Association of Muslim Schools UK is astonished that another misleading, intolerant and divisive report based on
prejudices rather than evidence, Music, Chess and Other Sins: Segregation, Integration and Muslim Schools in Britain,
has been published by Civitas today.
Contrary to what this report claims, Muslim schools provide an outstanding standard of education for thousands of
young children across the country. Ex-pupils of Muslim schools have developed into exemplary citizens and participate
in all aspects of civic society. Independent analysis and thorough Ofsted Inspections have demonstrated that academic
achievement, behaviour and personal development in Muslim schools - as is true of many faith schools - is consistently
and substantially better than local and national averages. It is this focus on higher standards that has meant that an
increasing number of parents choose to enrol their children in a Muslim school.
The report contains rhetoric which is not only inaccurate but also breeds distrust and disharmony and adds nothing
positive or constructive to the debate on the future of education or social cohesion in our country.
We are particularly disappointed but not surprised that the report has been drafted and edited by individuals who have a
track record of producing literature that is divisive, poorly researched and does not stand up to serious independent
scrutiny, the authors of the report did not visit a single Muslim school as confirmed by page xiv of the summary. The
leading involvement of individuals who previously contributed to the discredited report ‘Hijacking of British Islam’
which, claimed the BBC’s Newsnight in December 2007, used ‘fabricated evidence’ should ensure that this latest
attempt to divide British society is dismissed with equal contempt.
Like the DCSF the AMS UK considers it inappropriate to comment on any specific allegations contained in this poorly
drafted report as it is not based on evidence collected according to any well known and respected research methodology.
The Association of Muslim Schools UK and all of its affiliated member schools will continue to work hard with all
stakeholders, including the DCSF to provide an outstanding standard of education and contribute to our collective efforts
to develop young people who have the qualifications, skills and abilities to play a positive role in society as British
citizens.
Ends
� Regarding the Ofsted Independent Faith Schools’ Survey announced by the
Secretary of State for Education. 9th March 2009.
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The Association of Muslim Schools welcomes Secretary of State, Ed Balls’ announcement that Ofsted are to carry out a
survey of ‘the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils in independent schools'. As Muslim schools we
believe that we are at the forefront of preparing children and young people to face the challenges of life in modern
Britain and to also contribute in a positive way to wider society.
Ends
� Article published in January 09 Issue of ModernGov Magazine.
Muslim schools key to community cohesion. As the wider agenda of cohesion and community is recognised by
mainstream society Muslim schools already have a sense of cohesion
rooted in their faith, says Ashfaque Chowdhury, vice chair of AMS UK
Muslim schools – with a few exceptions – are all “of the community, by the community to serve the community that
they exist in.” This is a quote frequently used by the Muslim educationalists. The modifications to the Statutory
Instruments meant that schools started to belong and serve the community. Over time the home-school links became
“statutory”. Not to mention most Muslim schools came into existence due to the strong desire of the parents and the
community. The relationship is further strengthened by the huge diversity of communities that the Muslim schools serve. Last weekend I spent a day in the second oldest boarding Muslim school in the country, where I managed to meet
students from 16 different nationalities. This was community cohesion on a global scale, precisely the type of interaction
that promotes effective citizenship and social harmony. Positive cohesion is evident in Muslim schools from inspectors’
reports and a study which was conducted by the Times Education Supplement. The results were in the main positive, with some criticism coming in the shape of Ofsted’s usual role of a critical friend. Schools were highly recommended for
their role in community cohesion including visits to the Parliament Interfaith Activities, amongst other things to promote
harmony amongst the community that they represent such as pen pal writing schemes with non-Muslim schools.
Research into the riots in Greater Manchester concluded that pupils in Muslim schools were more cohesive than their
comprehensive counterparts. This is due to special attention given and the obligation to Ofsted which go hand in hand.
Community cohesion is also strengthened by a common goal and ambition amongst the pupils with faith as a centre
point. This allows a transparent structure whereby harmony, team spirit and bonding can be established and strengthened
in a positive spiritual atmosphere. Diversity is further strengthened by staff from different backgrounds, religions and
nationalities including those of no religion. In a recent visit to Madani School, Leicester, which was mentioned in the
Times Education Supplement recently as one of the pioneers in challenging underperformance and discrimination, I
discovered staff who were not only from different backgrounds and religions but also those not belonging to a faith
whose sense of strong moral responsibility had enabled them to become integral figures at a school whose ethos they
identified with. The Association of Muslim Schools, which represents most of the 130 Muslim schools in England and
Wales, in a unique venture with the Christian Schools Trust formed the Bridge Schools Inspectorate (BSI). An
inspectorate for both Muslim and Christian independent schools, the BSI’s inspection teams consist of Christian and
Muslim inspectors. In the planning stages the initial partnership also included representation from the Jewish
community. The BSI started inspections in October 2008, making it a beacon of interfaith partnership working in
harmony for the common good. Muslim schools produce citizens who are proud to be British and lead a British way of
life embracing an understanding of the different cultures and religions that exist in modern Britain. Muslim schools
provide an environment where communal and civic duty is a central pillar of every child’s educational experience. This
confidence in their identity breeds academic success; according to the TES “Pupils in faith schools, particularly Muslim
schools, achieve higher results than their peers”. Dr Mohamed Mukadam, Chairman AMS UK, said this reflected the
partnership the schools had established with the community: “We are only a small number of schools, but the key thing
is that we work with the parents and the community to drive up the standards.” (TES, 19 December, 2008).
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� Meetings and Consultations Attended by Chairman and AMS Office Bearers:
Meeting
Date & Location
AMS Representative
Faith Providers Meeting with
DCSF
Oct – 08
London
Shazad Mohammed
Faith In The System Meeting Nov – 08
London
Dr Mohamed Mukadam
Specialist Schools Trust
Reception
Jan - 09
London
Dr Mohamed Mukadam
Safeguarding Meeting with
DCSF
Feb - 09
London
Dr Mohamed Mukadam
Faith Schools Meeting with
DCSF
Feb - 09
London
Dr Mohamed Mukadam
CIBP Symposium 2 - third and
fourth Symposia of the
Contextualising Islam in Britain
Project
Mar - 09
London
Dr Mohamed Mukadam
Community Cohesion Meeting
with DCSF
Mar - 09
Birmingham
Dr Mohamed Mukadam
Shazad Mohammed
QTS and Other Projects Meeting
with University Of Gloucester Mar - 09
Gloucester
Dr Mohamed Mukadam
Faith Providers Meeting with
DCSF
April - 09
London
Imran Rehmi
Ofsted Consultation on SMSC
Survey
May - 09
London
Dr Mohamed Mukadam
Shazad Mohammed
Ofsted Consultation on
Inspection Changes
May - 09
London
Qari Muhammad Ismail
Shazad Mohammed
Faith Providers Meeting with
DCSF
June - 09
London
Khaled Miah
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AMS UK has continued its strong working relationship with the many different sub-
departments of the DCSF. AMS UK representatives have attended meetings
between those schools applying to become VA and the VA Capital Working
Team. AMS UK is also a key stakeholder in the Faith Providers Group, whose other
members include the Catholic Education Service, The Christian Schools Trust and
The Board of Deputies of British Jews. The Faith Providers Group meets with senior
civil servants from the DCSF regularly to discuss issues affecting faith schools and
other faith based educational institutes such as supplementary schools. Last year
the group produced the document Faith in the System, outlining a shared vision
of the role faith schools play in the English education system and wider society
and on October 14th 2009 AMS will represent Muslim Schools at a Faith in the
System Conference to be held in London. The DCSF Independent Schools
Registration Team is in regular contact with AMS UK and identifies new Muslim
schools that require assistance from the AMS SiP. Ofsted invited AMS UK to
consult on certain aspects of the Social, Moral, Spiritual and Cultural Survey into
all faith schools that was carried out recently.
3. SCHOOLS’ SERVICES
���� Regional Hubs, INSETs and CPD.
Four out of the five AMS UK regional hubs have been extremely active over the
last year, Lancashire, Midlands, South East and London. A breakdown of the
training and activities that have taken place over the last academic year can
be found in Figure 1.
���� Staff recruitment and CRB Checks.
AMS UK’s website (www.ams-uk.org) is used by member schools to advertise
vacancies for free. AMS UK has maintained its status as a registered Criminal
Records Bureau Umbrella Body that provides Enhanced CRB Checks for full time
Muslim Schools, Supplementary Schools and Mosques by fulfilling the criteria of
processing 100 CRB forms in a calendar year.
���� Section 48 Inspections.
In Voluntary Aided Muslim schools, the distinctiveness of religious education and
the school’s contribution to a child’s spiritual development are inspected under
Section 48 of the Education Act 2005 and the school’s governing body has the
responsibility for selecting inspectors of denominational religious education and
collective worship. AMSUK provides trained independent inspectors to conduct
Section 48 inspections. In so doing, it gives all Muslim schools access to a
rigorous, reliable, valid and effective inspection process, delivered under the
AMSUK Framework designed by Ofsted inspector Qari Muhammad Ismail.
���� The Bridge Schools’ Inspectorate (BSI).
In a landmark moment for Faith Schools in England the BSI, a joint venture by
AMS UK and the Christian Schools Trust, began inspecting schools in November
2008. It is one of only four recognised independent schools’ inspectorates in the
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country. As you are all aware it is the culmination of a great deal of work,
prayer and perseverance. BSI fulfils all of the government inspection
requirements and in addition provides insight into the effectiveness of the
distinct features of the Islamic school and its impact on learners. The inspections
have been received favourably by schools with head teachers commenting on
the thoroughness and support of the Muslim and Christian inspectors. Self
Evaluation Forms, Frameworks and other documents can be found at
www.bridgeschoolsinspectorate.co.uk.
� The NPQH Subsidy Scheme.
In order to improve management of schools and to equip school leaders with
the necessary operational and strategic skills, AMS UK introduced the National
Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH) subsidy scheme. The NPQH is a
qualification which will not only equip leaders with knowledge but with the
opportunities for networking with local school leaders and aspiring
Headteachers.
AMS UK has begun assisting potential NPQH candidates by hiring Trevor
Arrowsmith (former NCSL NPQH tutor) to advise on application forms, the
rigorous interview process and course content so that Muslim Schools’ NPQH
candidates have a better chance of success. If the candidate is successful
AMS UK will provide one third of the NPQH qualification cost on receipt of a
letter of confirmation from the NCSL. Our recommendations were that the
school itself would contribute one-third of the cost and the applicant would
meet the remaining one-third. Eight candidates applied for the subsidy and are
awaiting a response from the NCSL regarding their applications.
Figure 1
Date
Event
Region
Registered
attendees
Nov-08 Assessment For Learning,
Effective Questioning.
Walsall 25
Dec-08 Assessment For Learning,
Effective feedback
Birmingham 45
Dec-08 ITT 1: Strategies, Plenaries,
Questioning and Explaining
London 20-30
Jan-09 ITT 2: Class Management and the
Learning Environment
London 20-30
Mar-09 ITT 3: Personalised Learning London 20-30
Apr-09 Assessment For Learning, Peer/
self assessment
Birmingham 33
Apr-09 ITT 4:Group work and Active
Engagement Strategy
Luton 20-30
April-09 First Aid Bolton 14
June-09 ITT 5: Assessment Strategy
London 20-30
June-09 First Aid Batley 14
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July-09 Every Child Matters Batley 30
Continuous
08/09
ICT Literacy
Accredited by Cumbria University
Preston 8
To be
Confirmed
ITT 6: Learning Styles and
Modelling
London 20-30
The AMS London/South East Hub after consultation with local schools provided
specific insets for the academic year 2008-09, each was designed to form a part of
our Initial Teacher Training (ITT) Programme.
The ITT Programme aimed to help teachers to develop the essential knowledge
and teaching skills that are required for them to become effective teachers. The ITT
was also intended to act as CPD support for the University of Gloucestershire’s
Assessment Only Route towards attaining QTS.
All hubs are dedicated to providing an excellent level of service to all member
schools of the AMS and may be contacted to deal with queries as well as
suggestions and ideas to improve in providing a quality service;
Hub Co-ordinator Contact Details
The North Yusuf Seedat
01772 651 906
The Midlands Hasina Varachia
01922 625510
London/South East Bodrul Hussain
07814 583 345
� School Improvement Partners Programme (SIP)
The SIP programme was fully launched in November 2008. The programme aims to
provide school leaders with challenge and support that is tailored to their needs
and delivered to nationally consistent standards bearing in mind the importance of
Islamic tarbiyah. This is done in two ways, firstly by ensuring that they are meeting
the regulations of Ofsted, and secondly, to help them determine milestones for the
further development of their schools that are easily monitored and attained in
conjunction with AMS-UK. Senior and experienced members of staff from each of
the regions have been trained and employed to work as SIP officers for AMS-UK.
There are currently 11 SIP Officers representing a variety of regions and sectors with
a wide range of expertise and experience.
Participating Schools:
A total of 51 Schools were approached by the AMS-UK informing them of the SIP
Programme either through personal visits or by telephone by the SIP Coordinator. 6
schools approached the AMS-UK to express an interest or further information on the
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programme after the annual conference and a further 5 approached the AMS-UK
hearing of the programme via other routes. To date 12 Schools have been
supported by SIP visits, a further 7 schools were supported without any visits taking
place, guidance and support was provided via telephone conversations and
emails.
Sector Breakdown of the 12 visits that have taken place:
Girls Secondary: 7
Boys Secondary: 2
Primary: 3
The majority of Schools interested in employing a SIP have been from the Girls
Secondary Schools. This is representative of AMS-UK member schools.
Geographic Breakdown:
Schools that have been visited by SIPs have largely come from the London/South
East region.
London/South East: 7
Yorkshire : 2
Midlands: 3
Other: 0
5 of the 12 schools visited were new
schools that were applying for registration to the Department of Children Schools
and Families.
The SIP Programme has made a successful start and has raised the profile of the
AMS-UK. There are some barriers which have restricted the number of schools
participating; firstly the small cost that schools have to meet has meant that some
schools have opt out, secondly there needs to be more promotion of the
programme and thirdly we need to make member schools realise the long term
benefits of the programme for their schools and the value for money that is
provided.
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4. Muslim Secondary Schools1 GCSE League Table 2008
� Schools are ranked according to percentage of pupils achieving 5 or more GCSEs at grades
A* to C, including English and Maths. Where two schools have the same percentage the
number of candidates is used as a tie breaker.
� National average for schools in the UK for 5+ A*-C GCSEs including English and Maths is
47.6%.
� National average for Muslim Schools in the UK for 5+ A*-C GCSEs including English and Maths
is 57.9%.
1 Those schools that achieved the National Average in the UK for 5+ A*-C GCSEs including English & Maths.
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