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‘A Full-Time Islamic School in Bristol’

‘A Full-Time Islamic School in Bristol’. Dr Ghassan Nounu (PhD) Senior Lecturer Civil Eng UWE, Chairman of Bristol Islamic Schools Trust & Bristol Arabic Classes. The Dilemma for Muslim Parents in Bristol. Attend poor quality state schools Struggle for a place at church schools

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‘A Full-Time Islamic School in Bristol’

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  1. ‘A Full-Time Islamic School in Bristol’ Dr Ghassan Nounu (PhD) Senior Lecturer Civil Eng UWE, Chairman of Bristol Islamic Schools Trust & Bristol Arabic Classes

  2. The Dilemma for Muslim Parents in Bristol • Attend poor quality state schools • Struggle for a place at church schools • Expensive public/single sex schools • Children commute to other cities • Whole family moves to another city • Establish an Islamic School in Bristol

  3. Background of BIST • Established Dec 1997 • Successfully conducting weekend and summer schools since 1983 • Trustees represent all sections of Bristol’s Islamic community(see page 5 of the Business Plan for further details)

  4. BIST Mission Statement ‘Establish a full time Islamic school that provides high quality National Curriculum education incorporating Islamic studies as a core element of the syllabus’

  5. Research & Funding Explored

  6. BIST Research ‘Demand for an Islamic School in Bristol’

  7. Key Findings: Number of Muslim children of Secondary School age in Bristol to join Islamic School in September 2000 (404 Muslim Families surveyed). 348 pupils wanted to go to an Islamic School (Source: Internal Research 2000)

  8. Key Findings: Number of Children of PrimarySchool Age to Join the Islamic School in September 2000 (404 Muslim Families surveyed) 464 pupils wanted to go to an Islamic School(Source: Internal Research 2000)

  9. Funding Explored Option 1: State funded Islamic school Option 2: Privately funded Islamic School

  10. Option 1: State funded Islamic School • Concept of voluntary aided school • Established contact with LEA July 1998 • Surveys in October 1998 & Jan 2000 • Major public conference March 2001 Conference on faith-based-Education 19 March 2001: Overwhelming attendance by Muslim Community

  11. Option 1: State funded Islamic School • Seminar at Council House April 2001 • Working group April - Sept 2001 • Recommendations submitted, but no further progress • MORI research

  12. Option 2: Privately Funded • This is the only feasible option at the moment • Searched for a suitable rented property throughout 2002 • Deduced that the best way forward is to purchase a property

  13. Building on Dove Lane • Purchased 12,000 sq ft building • March 2003 • Next to Cabot Primary School • Purchase price £205,000 (current estimated value £300,000) • Deposit £40,000 • Bank Loan £165,000 • Balance Sheet £30,000 • Monthly Repayments £1,400.00

  14. Forecasted Year 1 Costs • Monthly Repayments £1,400 • Bank Loan £165,000 • Initial Building Works £50,000 • First year running cost deficit £57,000 • Total amount needed urgently £271,000

  15. Business Plan (Summary) • (Optimistic) Target date September 2004 • Start with primary, reception and year 7 & 8 secondary girls • 20 pupils per class • £2000 fees per year • One additional class every year • A core of Full-time teachers supported by Part-time staff

  16. 3 Key Task Groups(1) Construction Development and Planning,(2) Academic Planning,(3) Community Liaison and Funding

  17. Task Group 1: Academic Planning Group • School Registration • Policies and Procedures • Appointment of Head Teacher and Teachers Staff • Provide support and guidance on curriculum

  18. Task Group 2: Construction, Development & Planning Group • Examining potential of current premises • Architectural Layout • Application for Planning Permission • Consider other alternatives that may provide better options for the school

  19. Task Group 3: Community Liaison and Funding Group • Dissemination and awareness • Leaflets and Posters • Public Announcement • Engage community • Raised £55,000 between April and November 2003 through personal contacts

  20. Conclusions & Summary • Demand for Islamic School in Bristol (BIST Research) • Modeled on a (Small) Private School Structure • Purchased Building in Strategic location in Bristol & Working towards paying off the remaining loan • Talented Task Groups working towards next phase of the project

  21. Conclusion & Summary Cont. • We need your support through your: prayers, skills, experience, money and feedback. • BIST ‘Surgeries’ are held every Wednesday at Dove Lane (the site), so please come if you have something to contribute .

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