Our communities Our future Our challenges Working together for a brighter tomorrow Our communities Our future Our challenges Working together for a brighter tomorrow C O N S U L T A N T S T O C O N S U L T A N T S T O ASSOCIATION OF MUSLIM SCHOOLS UK Presented 28 th Aug 2008

PO Box 344, Watford, WD17 3XA, - Website: C O N S U L T A N T S T O C O N S U L T A N T S T O ASSOCIATION OF MUSLIM SCHOOLS UK SECOND PHASE CONSULTATION 2008 In accordance with the DCSF requirement WMST carried out the initial survey in 2003 to establish demand for a Muslim school in Watford but at a public consultation in 2007 those present suggested that a more up to date survey was required to ascertain the demand for the WMST proposal in the light of changing circumstances. This presentation offers the nature of the revised survey and its findings as analysed by MAK-C Consultancy – first presented to LA 28 th August 2008.

THE MAIN OBJECTIVES OF WMST PROPOSAL ARE TO 1.Increase parental choice, broaden range of denominational education and improve access to mainstream provision for Muslim parents. 2.Provide an enlightened entitlement curriculum which incorporates the National Curriculum and faith education within a school of excellence in order to equip all its pupils with skills for life in a socially cohesive and culturally plural society. 3.Work in a spirit of partnership with the local authority (LA) as the commissioner for education. 4.Work in partnership with other schools and organisations from the public and the private sectors and play a full part in contributing to social cohesion and integration. WMST highlighted the main objectives and presented some important points in the survey leaflet from the proposal document published and disseminated widely in 2007 for public consultation. Reply slips were attached and the responses analysed in July 2008.

WMST is a not for profit community organisation developing a strategic plan to establish a State Funded denominational primary school and a community centre that caters for the religious culture of Muslim families within the Hertfordshire area. The proposed school will be a centre for learning with an Islamic ethos where Muslims and non-Muslims can receive a broad and balanced education which does not ignore the reality of Islam in their lives. This beacon school of excellence with an Islamic ethos within the mainstream sector will focus on community cohesion and building bridges across different faith, cultural and linguistic groups within Watford. Our vision is to establish, maintain and develop a positive and purposeful school experience for our pupils in order to help them to realise their full potential. A School which promotes moral, spiritual, academic, social, emotional, physical and cultural excellence in a caring and secure all inclusive and enlightened Islamic environment, so that they are better equipped to meet the challenges of adult life within our plural society and the global village.

WMST has committed itself in sharing responsibility with the LA to explore ways of funding the building of the Community Centre within the school complex. The Trustees are working closely with the LA so that together we can apply to the relevant funding agencies. The statements of support at a public meeting on 19th August 2006 for our proposal by the Mayor, Dorothy Thornhill and the Managing Director, Alistair Robertson of Watford District Council is an indication of the level of acceptance for our proposal at the top. WMST is putting forward this proposal to increase diversity of educational provision within an inclusive society in response to parental aspirations especially for disadvantaged sections of our multi faith community who have traditionally not enjoyed success in education. CONSULTANTS TO THE ASSOCIATION OF MUSLIM SCHOOLS UK

Reply slip Having read the document and familiarised myself/ourselves with the proposal to extend parental choice and increase diversity of provision within the maintained sector in Watford I/we…………….……...…………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………....…(name/s) of……………………………………… …..……… ……………………………………………… …(Address) Tel No/s…………………………………………………………………..…… Address………………..……………………………………………… 1631 responses by July 2008

1553=95.22% 230 = 14.10% 10 = 0.61% 9 = 0.55% 16 = 0.98% 0 = 0.00% Offer wholehearted support to the LA & the WMST I am/ we are against the establishment of Religious schools I am/ we are opposed to government funding for Muslim schools (Other) ………(please write and tell us your reasons) I/we would like to be kept informed of developments. Do not support the proposal because: I/we believe Religious schools are likely to prove divisive Results of the Watford Muslim School Trust (WMST) second phase consultation up to & including July 2008 TOTAL NUMBER OF RESPONSES 1631

Results of the Watford Muslim School Trust (WMST) second phase consultation up to & including July 2008 TOTAL NUMBER OF RESPONSES 1631 Support the proposal Keep Informed Against Religious Schools Against Government Funding Divisive Other Keep Informed 230 = (14.10%) Against Religious Schools 10 = (0.61%) Against Government Funding 9 = (0.55%) Divisive 16 = (0.98%) Other 0 = 0% Support the proposal 1553 = 95.22% CONSULTANTS TO THE ASSOCIATION OF MUSLIM SCHOOLS UK

Please contact us if you wish to make a contribution towards our proposal and/or offer your valued opinions on how best to ensure compliance with the highest standards of educational provision embedded in our proposal. PO Box 344, Watford, WD17 3XA, - Website: