The Supplementary Muslim School (SMS) set up in 1986 by An-Nisa Society as its first major project.




The SMS was a response to the need to provide a more contemporary and relevant Islamic education for second generation (and onwards) British Muslims. We recognised that children being brought up within a Western context were disadvantaged when learning through traditional methods as they didn’t have the environment of a Muslim culture to support what they were learning. Following much research we felt that more emphasis needed to be placed on developing a child-centred Islamic education where the potential of each child was nourished and enabled to grow.

Our role as educators was to provide a broad-based Islamic education delivered through what went on in the classroom and through extra curricular activities such as the Ramadan initiatives, Eid celebrations, creative workshops, crafts and sports activities to name a few.

Of equal importance was creating a harmonious environment where children felt happy and secure as an essential part of their educational experience. Happy and secure children being more likely to respond to what they are learning both intellectually and emotionally.

From the beginning the SMS stressed the need to develop strong Parent/School relationships. Our expectations of parents was that they actively support our ethos and their children’s learning at home.

Over the years the SMS has benefited hundreds of children and their families and has emerged as the focus point for the whole community - a place to learn new things, make new friends and be creative in a Muslim environment. It is a place where families can come together and work for the benefit of all our children and young people.

The friendly atmosphere has ensured the steady growth of the School, which now has over 130 students in 9 classes.

Our core subjects are Quranic Arabic, Arabic Language and Islamic Studies. In 2000-2001 we introduced GCSE Islamic Studies and GCSE Arabic Language and our first group of 9 students sat the Islamic Studies exam in the summer of 2002—all achieving grade A’s or B’s. The hard work and commitment of the teachers involved and the students in the following years has resulted in equally high standards.