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Liverpool school goes the Muslim way

It is a ground-breaking endeavour which might even be a trend-setter. A primary school in Liverpool is to become the first local authority administered school to have a strong Islamic ethos, following a deal between the local city council and Muslim organisations.

The school is due to open early next year to cater up to 420 pupils aged between 5 and 11 in the inner city Granby area, where most of city's Muslim community lives. It will be open to all faiths, but its timetable will include regular Islamic assemblies, the teaching of Islamic history, and religious education with an emphasis on Islam.

That is not all. It will also offer food suitable for Islamic pupils and give holidays for Muslim festivals. Moreover, an attempt will be made to have a significant number of Muslim school governors.

There are 61 independent Muslim schools in England, and two were just awarded state funding in January this year after an agitation spearheaded by Yusuf Islam -- of Cat Stevens fame. But none is directly run by a local education authority.

There are also state-funded Jew and Christians schools in Britain.

Ann Melville of the Liverpool Authority said: "This will not be a grant maintained school or a Muslim school. It will be a regular local authority administered school with an Islamic ethos. We will have the same admission policy as we have for our other schools."

Considering the sizeable Muslim population in the Granby and Toxteth areas of Liverpool, it was decided to have a school that reflected the make-up of the area.

No name has been suggested so far, but the school is being supported by Labour and Liberal Democrats, Liverpool City councillors and the Education and Employment secretary, David Blunkett.

Authorities are not imposing any code on other students who do not wish to take part in Islamic assemblies.

"We want Islam to be treated on an equal basis with other religions and that's why this school is being formed," says a councillor.

The Muslims in the area do not want an exclusively Muslim school but want a school that reflects the cultural diversity of the city.

"There has been some disquiet but as far as we can see it, if the Muslim community wants a school in which it can feel comfortable, then, as a matter of equal opportunity, it's only fair it should have one," says Paul Clein, a councillor.

A working group has been set up to establish how the school can operate. They are also considering plans to apply for foundation status which will replace the grant maintained status under government proposals, and would give them the right to set aside a majority of places on the school board for Muslim governors.

Akram-Khan Cheema, an education consultant involved in setting up the school said: "It's an exciting and imaginative proposal."

"The school will not be just for Muslims and will offer something to the whole community, regardless of their religion. It will give others a chance to see what an Islamic ethos is all about."

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