"The believers are those who believe only in Allah and His Messenger and afterwards doubt not, but strive with their wealth and their lives for the cause of Allah. Such are the sincere." [Al-Hujurat: 15]

To view the 2008/08 prospectus please click here

Introduction

The Iqra School Trust was set up in September 2002 in order to establish the first Islamic school in Oxford. It is a non-profit making organisation, which relies on the generous donations from our Muslim brothers and sisters.

Iqra School is the first full-time Independent Islamic girls' secondary school to be established in the historical city of Oxford, which is renowned worldwide as a centre for academic excellence and is recognised for its multi-faiths and diverse cultures.

Iqra School offers today's British Muslims the opportunity to gain an excellent secondary education within an Islamic environment.

The School aims to mould each child to become well-educated, well-mannered, pious Muslimahs, Insha'Allah.

'Oh Allah (swt), increase me in my knowledge.'

Background

Iqra School opened in September 2003 with Year 7 girls. Iqra School was opened by a group of concerned parents and community leaders in order to meet the growing needs of the Muslim Community in Oxfordshire.

Premises

Iqra School enjoys the facilities of a purpose-built middle school with spacious classrooms, prayer room, ICT lab, gymnasium and dining room. Wheelchair access is available.

How the Curriculum is Organised

The formal part of the curriculum is taught through timetabled lessons. We follow a fifty period fortnightly timetable, with 50-minute lessons. The school day is organised into 6 teaching periods. Timings of lessons varies throughout the year as prayer times change.

Special Education Needs (SEN)

Every effort is made to cater for pupils with Special Educational Needs (SEN) within Iqra School as we have staff who are trained in this area.

Most pupils in need of special educational provision will already have been identified during their time in primary school. The Iqra SENCO (Special Educational Needs Coordinator) will use a range of assessments to identify the type of support needed, including;

• Behaviour observation/Teacher assessment from the previous school
• Maths assessment
• Reading test
• Spelling test
• Cognitive ability test

Once it has been agreed that the pupil has special educational needs, the SENCO will initiate further assessment, monitoring and planning for the girl. The pupil will have targets and provision recorded in an IEP (Individual Education Plan).

EAL

On admission all pupils are assessed. A high percentage of girls admitted are learning English as an additional language. The school has a strategy for developing English across the curriculum.

Behavioural Expectations

Pupils enrolled in Iqra School must conform to Islamic behaviour and dress code set by the school. It is parents' responsibility to make sure this code is respected at all times.

Our expectations with regard to behaviour are set out in our Learning Code, which is included in the Parents Handbook. Disciplinary measures will be taken for those who fail to meet these requirements. In extreme cases a pupil could be excluded from school. We ask all parents and pupils to read the rules very carefully because they will be asked to sign the learning code contract when their daughter starts the school.

'The Messenger of Allah (swt) used to say "The best of you are those who have the best manners."' (Bukhari and Muslim)

Islamic Ethos

The Islamic ethos of the School is of utmost importance. In order to promote this, Iqra School places strong emphasis on Islamic manners, behaviour, punctuality, Islamic dress code, mutual respect for fellow pupils and utmost respect for staff and parents. Iqra School provides 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.

Homework

Homework is an integral aspect of the curriculum. It will give opportunity for pupils to extend their learning and to reflect. Parental support and co-operation is essential to make girls practice what they learn in school.

Extra Curricular activities are offered to enhance their learning further. These include Islamic lectures by guest speakers, social and educational visits, homework club and sports clubs.

"My Lord! I ask you for beneficial knowledge, and I seek refuge with you from non-beneficial knowledge." [Sahih Ibn Hibban]

Assessment & Reporting

Academic progress is regularly monitored and reported three times a year. This will be in the form of snapshot reports that reflect effort and attainment of each child. Parents' evenings will be held in the spring term to discuss your daughters' progress and to set targets for the coming half year.

An optional parents' evening will also be arranged at the end of the academic year.

Uniform

All pupils are required to wear the following Iqra School uniform:

• Navy Blue Abayya/ Jilbab
• White Scarf
• Navy Blue Shalwaar Kameez or Loose Navy Blue Skirt/Trousers and Top, which must cover the body shape.
• Black, Low Heeled Shoes
• Navy blue jumper or cardigan. (No denim jackets)

P.E. Uniform

• Navy Blue Iqra School T Shirt
• Navy Blue Iqra School Sweatshirt
• Navy Blue Tracksuit Bottoms

Please remember that make-up or jewellery of any kind, high-heeled shoes, articles of fashion and 'trendy' fashion-wear are prohibited at all times. Mobile phones are only allowed to be used before and after school hours only. Girls must not be seen with mobile phones during the school day or they will be confiscated for the whole term.

For further information on Iqra School policies, the following Policy Documents are available on request:

• Curriculum
• Anti-Bullying
• Child Protection
• Health and Safety
• Good Behaviour
• Sanctions
• Complaints Procedure
• Number of Formal Complaints registered during the Proceeding School Year