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£550,000 drive to help improve grades in city's Islamic schools
A £550,000 programme is aiming to improve grades and employment rates in some of Bradford's Islamic supplementary schools.
The Open Madrasah Network is a pilot project which will offer additional support in some of the district's madaris.
Four madaris in the area are initially taking part in the scheme, believed to be the first of its kind in the country.
Of those taking part initially, one madrasah is in Keighley and three are in Bradford.
The madaris participating in the project will receive English and maths tutoring along with supplementary GCSE courses, careers advice and jobs fairs.
From January the network will be expanded to include a further 15 madaris.
Speaking ahead of the project's launch yesterday at the House of Lords, Bradford Council leader Kris Hopkins said: "We are travelling to London to show how Bradford district is at the cutting edge of education and social change in Britain.
"By providing additional support within madaris we are reaching into the heart of the community and offering more people access to life-changing services.
"Education, skills and employment are important priorities for Bradford Council and we are completely committed to doing everything we can to ensure all our residents are given the best possible opportunities."
Councillor Hopkins, chair of the Open Madrasah Network, joined Lord Kamlesh Patel OBE and representatives from Yorkshire Forward, Asian Trade Link (Yorkshire) Ltd and Education Bradford in London yesterday.
The key figures from Yorkshire spoke to a select group of MPs, peers and education and business representatives at the launch.
Arshad Javed, of ATL, said "We believe this is an exciting initiative that can bring about real transformational change in raising standards and bring about a more inclusive society."
The programme will offer children and adults a comprehensive package of support designed to boost educational grades, employment rates and improve life chances for some of Bradford district's most disadvantaged residents.
The project will work with children as young as primary school age all the way through to older students who are sitting GCSEs as well as adults.
Regional development agency Yorkshire Forward is funding the programme with 550,000 over three years.
The director of economic inclusion for Yorkshire Forward, Thea Stein, said: "Yorkshire Forward has developed this project because of our recognition of the importance of the Muslim faith sector in Bradford as holding critical keys in improving the economic outcomes for Bradford's communities.
"We are confident that the approach we have used to building this partnership will be instrumental in shaping better outcomes for attainment, jobs and skills. "
The Open Madrasah Network is being delivered by ATL with Education Bradford, Bradford Council, Yorkshire Forward, Jamiyat Tabligh Ul Islam, Madania Tahfeezul Quran, Abu Zahra Foundation, Islamic Cultural and Educational Association.
The head of cohesion and diversity for Education Bradford, Jani Rashed, said: "The relationship between madrasahs and mainstream schools is a very important factor when looking to raise levels of educational attainment.
"The Open Madrasah Network makes for a very good vehicle in developing that relationship.
"Education Bradford is very pleased to be working in partnership with Yorkshire Forward and ATL as a major stakeholder in piloting this project."
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