In this article, there will be a switch. We will be talking about something related to religion, the Muslim religion to be exact. No, we do not have plans of preaching to you, we want to talk about the Islamic Schools in London.
With the number of secular schools that are scattered everywhere in the world, people who practice the Islam faith might find it hard to find a school that focuses on both academics and Islamic culture. Besides that, it is also noticed that the majority of religious schools are Christian religious schools.
Parents might be worried that their children might not have an environment that allows them to learn and live in Islam. On this note, we will be looking at some Islamic religious schools. This article will focus on Islamic schools that are located in London.
An Islamic school is an institution for the study of Islamic theology and religious law. For a child to be able to study in an environment that mirrors the values they learn at home, would create the social and emotional stability that would help them do better and enjoy better their academics and social interactions.
We have heard stories of people being shamed for practicing their beliefs and religion in secular schools, there is a lesser chance of that happening in an Islamic school.
The morale clashes that often happen in secular school environments will be reduced. This is because everyone has the same values and works with the same belief. In other words, your child is free to be themselves.
You would agree with us when we say that schools, whether primary, secondary or even the tertiary level, play an important role in the lives of individuals in society.
In the same light, Islamic schools in London also play important roles in the lives of its students, this is because:
- They provide Muslim children with an environment where they can learn and live Islam freely and without fear of judgment.
- The similarity in culture and values tend to create social and emotional stability in the children. This will in turn facilitate and accelerate the children’s learning in general areas of education.
- These Islamic schools in London develop a strong sense of belonging in their students. They also preserve the rich Islamic heritage.
Keeping in mind that the quality of education delivered by a school depends on the institution and its commitment to excellence, it is still understood that there are secular schools that fail to deliver solid education, strong discipline, or good citizenship.
According to a Gallop Poll, a good school is considered good when it meets the following standards:
- The school should have a good administration.
- The school should have good discipline.
- The school should have respect for authority.
- The school has good equipment.
- The teachers are interested in both their work and in their students.
- The teachers try to make the classes interesting.
- There is a good student/teacher relationship.
- There is a good student-to-student relationship.
- The curriculum has variety.
- The classes are small.
Most Islamic schools can boast of meeting these standards. Besides academics, another major function of a school is to teach morals to students. This is another reason most parents are after religious schools, whether it is Christian or Muslim-owned.
They believe that in these religious schools, their children will find it easier to fight off negative peer pressure and bad habits if they are brought up in a religious school that takes extra care in bringing its students up in the way of their religion.
When Islamic schools are established, the schools have to make sure that all other elements of a good school are present in the Islamic school. These things will make the schools be considered top-notch, such as:
- Their academic program has to be better or at least equivalent to the academic program of good public schools around them.
- Their staff has to be professional and qualified.
As long as these conditions are met, there is a higher chance of the performance of Islamic schools being among the best.
Coincidentally, there are some Muslim schools that have been recognized among the top 20 schools in Britain for academic progress in 2019. This was published in the GCSE league tables for 2019.
The list ranked schools across the country on some factors including academic attainment and the percentage of students who stay on for further education.
The list is violated every year by the government. This means some Islamic schools in London are among the best there is.
The List of Islamic Schools in London
Below, we will talk about some Islamic schools in London that offer a fusion of Islamic values and academic excellence. Keep reading to find out about these schools.
# London Islamic School (LIS)
London Islamic School was founded in 1996 as a full-time private school. It is owned and operated by the London Muslim Mosque and serves the Muslim community in London and beyond.
LIS has grown consistently over the years and has gained a reputation for becoming one of the leading Islamic schools in London. The school aims to pour into its student’s Islamic morale and also a burning desire to learn.
The school provides a learning environment that is Islamic and is committed to using modern-day teaching to develop an academic program that is advanced and comprehensive.
It empowers students by nurturing their interests and refining their academic skills to make them strong Muslim citizens in London.
Also, the school gives a fair chance to all applicants who fulfill the admission requirements. You can check the official website of the school to find out these requirements. The details about its tuition and fees can be viewed here.
# East London Mosque School
East London Mosque School hosts full-time and part-time education for children. The school runs its very own full-time primary and secondary schools, and also, an after-school ‘Evening Madrasah’.
The full-time primary school the school offers is for both girls and boys, but the full-time secondary school is for boys and they are both based in the complex of the school. The school provides its students with an identity that is valued.
The school is equipped with the resources that are necessary to teach the subjects they offer to a high standard.
The school has a particular focus on character development, it helps its students gain the knowledge and life skills they need to learn.
It also helps them learn to uphold their core Islamic values such as courage, respect, integrity, responsibility, and service to others.
The school has the aim of preparing students for life as adults where they are outstanding Muslims who add to the success of their country.
# Noor Ul Islam Primary School
Noor UI Islam Primary School was established in 2001 and it still values its students individually and aims to inspire them to achieve a level of excellence in their learning and Islamic character, so they can in turn enrich and serve the wider society.
The school works endlessly to try to provide an environment that breeds a desire for moral and academic education that is both natural and lifelong. It tries to ensure that each student leaves the school spiritually happy and eager to engage the outside community.
The aim of Noor UI Islam primary school is for all its students is that they get the foundation and tools they need to become good, active citizens who embrace their individuality and faith. The school has grown and can now brag of a fully functioning hub for learning.
This school is registered with both the local authority and Ofsted. You can take a look at the information and its fees here.
# Darul Uloom London School:
Darul Uloom London School was founded in 1988 and is an 11-19 boys, independent boarding Islamic school in London. Every student here is a boarding student, they each have two weekend home trips each month and on the other weekends, parents get to visit.
In 2008, the Ofsted report recognized the school as “Good” and recently, in 2020, the school was said to have met all independent school standards. It is registered under the Edexcel exam board. There are details of the fees over here.
# Quwwat-ul-Islam Girls School:
Quwwat-ul-Islam Girls School was established in 2003. It is a school that celebrates diversity and receives applications from students of different faiths and backgrounds.
In the beginning, the school only enrolled fifty students but has since grown in number. In 2005, it began catering to Secondary students too.
The school now attends to students from Reception to Year 11. It teaches National Curriculum Subjects, in addition to providing a solid Islamic education in an environment that nurtures Islam. The Curriculum for Islamic Studies is delivered in an environment that cares for its students.
This is to help nurture them into confident young Muslim women who are ready for life in London.
The school aims at developing the core knowledge of their religion following the Quran and Sunnah. The students are empowered to take personal responsibility for themselves, their environment, and their community as a whole.
The current annual fee for Primary students is £3025.00 ($3,529.68) and for Secondary students is £3225.00 ($3,761.53). You can access a downloadable document with more information on the school fees here.
# Jamiatul Ummah School:
Jamiatul Ummah School is a very successful independent secondary school for boys that combines both the National Curriculum and Islamic learning.
The school equips its students with the knowledge and skills they need to not just become good Muslims but also good citizens of London.
The school has a stimulating and effective learning environment that causes modern teaching methods and technology. The students of this school have achieved a 100% GCSE pass rate in many subjects including English and Mathematics.
The students of Jamiatul Ummah School are nurtured, educated, and inspired to become practicing Muslims while they also get the right qualifications to succeed in any academic environment.
The values of hard work, discipline, and respect are instilled in the students. All these prepare them to participate in modern society.
The school was established in 1996 and they are one of the top-performing secondary school. The GCSE and progress 8 results put the school in the top 35 schools in England.
This is based on the 2019 Progress 8 Scores. Progress 8 is a measure of how well students progress. The higher the score, the more progress the students have made from KS3 starting points.
You can take a look at the school fees here.
# Lantern of Knowledge Muslim Boys’ School
Lantern of Knowledge Muslim Boys’ School is an independent Muslim school that is based in London. It is a vibrant and focused school that is dedicated to providing quality education to its students. The school believes in an education that is individual-centered.
The school tries to equip students to be exemplary citizens who are committed to the true Islamic values of compassion, lifelong learning, tolerance, and making positive contributions to society at large. This commitment is featured throughout several areas of the school.
The school is a relatively small boys’ school that belongs to the “Education” category that holds its weight in the daily lives of its students.
# Saturday Islamic School (SIS)
Saturday Islamic School was founded in 1996. It aims at educating Muslim girls and boys about Islam. The school teaches students about their culture and beliefs in a distinct style that differs greatly from the common traditional approaches.
SIS admits students from ages six to fifteen. The school is a non-profit making one and is supported by the project ELM. It works in partnership with four different mainstream schools: Bow School; Mulberry Academy Shoreditch; Stepney Green School; and St Paul’s Way Trust School.
Because SIS is non-profit, it does not charge a fee. Although parents are required to make a contribution towards the running of the school.
At the moment, parents of students are expected to make a contribution of £180 ($209.45) per year/per child. There are no discounts for parents with more than one child in attendance.
# Darul Hadis Latifiah Secondary School & College
Darul Hadis Latifiah Secondary School & College is an independent, all-boys, 11–20-year-old Islamic school located in London. It was established in 1999. Students receive a full secondary education alone with the National Curriculum and Islamic studies.
This school tries to educate students in both Qur’an and the Shariah in addition to the mainstream education they will receive.
The historical progress of the school is a reflection of the dedication and commitment of its patron and founder.
There is information about the tuition fee and other costs here.
# Islamia Primary School
Islamia Primary School is a voluntary aided primary, Islamic faith school that is located in London. It was established in 1983 and in 1998, the school was the first Muslim school in Britain to be granted public funding by the Government. The funding was obtained after several years of campaigning and rejections.
The school has approximately 420 students aged between four and eleven. Initially, the school was intended to have 10% non-Muslim students. It follows the national curriculum with classes on religion and studies of the Arabic language.
Ofsted gave a positive report on the school community and the way the students engage in their learning. Also, in 2013, the school won the Global Peace and Unity Education Award for Excellence. The award is made for primary schools in the U.K.
You can take a look at the details of the fee structure of the school over here.
You can click this link to check out more Islamic schools in London.
FAQs
Are Islamic Schools In London Any Good?
Islamic schools have topped the ranking of the British government for the performance of secondary schools.
These schools are holding the top three positions and they secured a total of four in the top ten.
The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) said that the statistics meant that the Islamic schools were performing well despite the negative perceptions that surround them.
How Many Islamic Schools Are There In The U.K.?
In Britain currently, there are over one hundred independent and seven state-funded Muslime schools located in Britain and under the British education system.
What Is An Islamic School Called?
Islamic religious schools at the primary and secondary levels can be referred to as Madrasah.
The madrasah is an institution of learning or education and is centuries old.
Can A Non-Muslim Attend An Islamic School?
The straightforward answer is yes. There are a significant number of non-Muslim students who gain admission into Islamic schools.
Most Islamic schools accept and welcome students who are not Muslims or even of different faiths.
These schools would allow you to attend and gain the education you need.
But then again, some people might advise you to attend a school that shares the same beliefs and values as you do.
This might help to make things easier and less complicated, don’t you think so?