Plans for Blackburn's Muslim free school revealed

Plans for purpose-built premises for the first free school for Muslims in the country have been submitted to Blackburn with Darwen council.

If approved, they will allow the demolition of the former YMCA building at Edinburgh House on Clarence Street so work can start on the new education complex.

Bosses at Tauheedul hope that the existing boys school, which opened last year, will move from its current buildings on Bicknell Street, Little Harwood in September 2014.

Principal Jacquie Petriaho, who is not a Muslim and was deputy head of Beardwood Humanities College, said: “The planning application has been submitted following months of detailed design work on what has proven a very challenging but equally rewarding project.

 “The scheme submitted meets the schools aspirations, by providing well-ordered learning spaces and innovative working environments and has done this while respecting the qualities of the surrounding area.

 “The site is in an ideal location to serve our projected pupil intake and offers the opportunity to redevelop a site that has blighted the local community for a number of years.

“Tauheedul Boys’ School will continue to provide outstanding educational opportunities for many young people in Blackburn and our pupils and staff are excited about the opportunities the new building will create.”

The school aims to provide a first-class education for its 700 pupils with the aim of getting many into Britain’s top universities.

Last September it opened in a temporary home at the site of the Tauheedul Islam Girls’ School in Bicknell Street after that moved to its new location in Beardwood Humanities College, Preston New Road.

Pupils from Tauheedul Islam Boys’ High School (TIBHS), Blackburn raised £4,600 for Crisis – the UK’s national charity for single homeless people - through the ‘Tauheedul Mile’ involving 153 boys undertaking a one mile run for the homeless people.

Mrs Petriaho said, “Although our school only started a few months ago, our boys have demonstrated their commitment to community service and philanthropy. Through our partnership work with Crisis, we aim to transform the lives of thousands of single homeless people in the UK.”