Eight Muslim Schools feature in the Top 50 Examination League Tables

Muslim Secondary Schools in England continue to excel academically, a total of 8 Muslim Schools* (all independent) were featured in the top 50 of the examination league tables for 2014.

And for the second consecutive year over half of Muslim schools featured in the Department of Education league table [published in January this year] have surpassed the national average of students achieving 5 or more GCSE’s or equivalent A*-C grades including English and Math GCSEs.

The combined Muslim schools average for that indicator has also surpassed the national figure of 53 per cent last year. 42 of the 75 Muslim schools featured in The Muslim News performance table managed to attain a higher pass rate than the national average, two more than in 2013.

Excluding English and Math GCSE, 71 per cent of Muslim schools attained 5 or more GCSE’s or equivalent A*-C pass rate, 7 per cent higher than the national average of 64 per cent.

In total 8 schools have a 100 per cent 5 or more GCSE’s or equivalent A*-C including English and Math. Among them is Lantern of Knowledge Boys’ Secondary School, which continues to thrive. The result is some way above Waltham Forest average of 57 per cent and is the second highest result out of 30 high schools in the borough. Head Teacher Abdullah Keekeebha said the school is “delighted” with its “consistently high performance in GCSE examinations.”

“Year on year our pupils’ attainment has surpassed that of local and national levels, with a consistent increase in the proportion of pupils attaining A* to B grades. Our English Baccalaureate (EBacc) results this year have been exceptional too at 64per cent.”

Islamia Girls’ High School in Brent continues to shine with a 100 per cent of their girls attaining 5 or more GCSE’s or equivalent A*-C including English and Math and on average its students attained an A grade.

In June 2014, the school was like many Muslim schools subjected to a half day’s notice Ofsted inspection but still maintained its Outstanding grade, having received the same result in 2009. A spokesman for Islamia announced they were “also subject to a no-notice inspection in January 2015. Notwithstanding that new standards for independent schools had come into effect only a few days earlier, this second rigorous inspection within a short space of time concluded that we met the standards, once again confirming our Outstanding status.”

The school attributes its success to “the supportive learning environment, the diverse range of subject options as well as the extracurricular activities available to students, all of which are underpinned by excellent teaching”. The school added that follows a philosophy that “education should not be prescriptive; it should be holistic and inspiring.”

83 per cent of students at Al-Sadiq and Al-Zahra Schools attained 5 or more GCSE’s or equivalent A*-C including English and Math, ranking it 5th in Brent for that indicator. A spokesman for the school said the “GCSE results have been an impressive 30 per cent higher than national average results, so enabling our students to continue on to some of the best colleges and sixth forms, providing them with that vital push over the first hurdle in their further education.” 

Tayyibah Girls School, in Stamford Hill, was ranked as the best performing school in Hackney. The school was also ranked within the top 50 schools nationally. 100 per cent of students obtained 5A*-C including Math and English. Head Teacher Nahida Qureshi congratulated all the “young girls on their successes and pay tribute to the hard work of all the Tayyibah Staff, parents and carers. I wish them well for the future and hope they continue to represent the community in the wider society.”

88 per cent of students sitting their exams in Al-Risalah managed to attain 5 or more A*-C or equivalent 18 per cent higher than Wandworth average. Headteacher Nasir Qurashi said, “Once again, Al-Risalah’s results have exceeded the national average. It has been another fantastic year for the school and we will endeavour to improve on this next year, Insha’Allah. Congratulations to staff, parents and most of all, our students.”

In Manchester all the boys at Kassim Darwish Grammar School attained 5 or more A*-C or equivalent GCSE’s. Examination officer Andrew Crosbie said the results reflected the strong partnership between the staff, parents and students. “Several subjects recorded 100 per cent A*- C grades. These included English, Chemistry, Physics, Urdu and Art while others were above 90per cent. In the Manchester area the school’s results stand equal third in the performance tables alongside King David School and first for boys’ schools.”

Although 58 per cent of students attained Birchfield Independent Girls’ School 5 or more or A*-C pass rate, it was 6 per cent less than the national average of 64 per cent. A spokesperson for the Birmingham based school said hey are “proud of the commendable turnaround” for many of their students who were underperforming in their primary schools. “The 2014 cohort of students, over the 5 years at the school made significant progress They made above or expected progress from Key stage 2 to Key stage 3 as follows :English 79 per cent , Maths 79 per cent and Science 90 per cent.”