FAQs

Why have you opened a Muslim faith school? 

In response to demand for a high performing school which can foster community cohesion and promote a better understanding of the Islamic faith across the community, Hujjat Primary is a Muslim faith designated, school for children of all abilities. Starting with two Reception classes in September 2020, the school welcomes children from all faiths and none, and will have capacity for 420 children across seven year groups (Reception to Year 6) by 2026. 

The founding team understands that true education is not just about acquiring skills and achieving expectations, but facilitating the well-being and growth of every child’s mind, body and spirit in the best possible way. We believe that all parents should have the option of sending their children to a school:

• Where being a good human being is as important as academic achievement
• Where teaching objectives include being excellent academic facilitators and positive role models for the school’s values
• Where God and faith can be an integral part of the day and guide teaching, learning and behaviour
• Where children graduate with strong values, a clear sense of purpose, and an understanding of their responsibilities in society.    

Do you only accept Muslim children?

The school has a Muslim faith designation but our faith curriculum and ethos will focus on character development and will therefore be inclusive to all children. Please see our admissions policy for more information on how places will be allocated.

What opportunities will my child have to meet and work with children of other faiths?

Children will have the opportunity to learn about other faiths, British history, and a variety of cultures whilst developing confidence and pride in their own faith. HPS will provide enriching experiences through links with local schools, encouraging children to engage in sport, academic and other inter-school activities.

Are you accepting applications for all year groups?

Hujjat Primary opened in September 2020 with 2 Reception classes. It will then admit 2 new Reception classes every year.  

Do non-Muslim teachers have to follow a religious dress code?

The school does not impose a religious dress code on staff or pupils. Modesty and dignity are core Islamic values and all staff and pupils are expected to respect that in their conduct and dress. 

What is a Free School?

Free schools are independent schools that are funded by the Department of Education and managed by an Academy Trust rather than a Local Authority. They must be non-profit making, can set their own term dates, and can develop their own curriculum as long as it is broad and includes Maths, English and Science.  The Academy Trust managing Hujjat Primary School is called Hujjat School Trust.

How is a faith designated Free School different to other faith schools?

Faith designation is legal recognition that a school has a religious character. This means that the school can provide religious education and collective worship according to the tenets of its chosen faith and admit up to 50% of pupils on the basis of faith if the school is oversubscribed.  Faith designated Free Schools must also commit to being inclusive to all pupils, including those of other and no faith.

How are places allocated?

Please see our admission policy for more information on how places will be allocated: www.hujjatprimary.org/admissions

Do we have to live in Harrow to attend the school?

No, you do not need to live in Harrow to apply for a place at the school. If there are more applications than spaces, 50% will be allocated on the basis of faith and 50% with no reference to faith. For more information on how places will be allocated, please see our admissions policy: www.hujjatprimary.org/admissions 

Does the school provide wraparound care for working parents?

Yes, wraparound care will be available for parents who require it, before and after school. Wraparound care starts at 7.30am and is available after school till 5.45pm. 

Which subjects are you teaching?

Hujjat Primary follows the National Curriculum and teachers will therefore deliver all of the subjects detailed in the Government guidance. Subject leaders identify opportunities for our faith ethos and values to be incorporated into resources used across the curriculum.

Do you teach RHE (Relationship & Health Education)?

Faith designated Free Schools have additional freedoms around the teaching of Religious Education, PSHE (Personal, Social, Health, and Economic education), and RHE. In conjunction with the Faith Committee of the governing Board, the school has developed an age-appropriate curriculum in line with tenets of the Islamic faith and in the context of Islamic family values. Policies for these subjects are developed in consultation with the relevant religious bodies and parents.

Will you teach children about puberty (buloogh)?

Our PSHE (Personal, Social, Health, and Economic) curriculum is developed in line with our faith ethos and values, and includes aspects of puberty at the appropriate time. Other examples of subject matter in PSHE will include: 

- why cleanliness is important in Islam and what this looks like in practice

- manners and etiquette 

- social responsibility

- building positive relationships

- the importance of charity 

- sustainability and taking care of our planet

- recognising that parents, teachers, religious leaders and other adults are there for guidance but it is up to each one of us to determine the kind of person we become.  

Do you teach Music?

Yes, within the context of our Islamic ethos and values. Musical literacy includes learning about sound, verbal expression, composition and developing aural memory.

What does Hujjat mean?

Hujjat is an Arabic word meaning proof or authority. A person with the title Hujjat-al-Islam is regarded as a respected authority on Islamic teachings and law. 

What is the relationship between the school and the KSIMCoL (Hujjat) Islamic Centre on Wood Lane?

KSIMCoL is the faith authority for Hujjat Primary School. This means that the school’s governing Board will consult relevant members of the KSIMCoL community on matters relating to the RE curriculum and admissions policy. The KSIMCoL is not involved in running or managing the school. This is the responsibility of the Hujjat School Trust.

Who is on the Hujjat School Trust Board?

The people appointed to the Trust Board have been agreed with the Department for Education based on the skills required to oversee the success of Hujjat Primary. They hold the title and responsibilities of Trustee (under Charities Law and in line with the Academies Financial Handbook), Director (under Companies Law) and Governor. There are also 2 elected parent trustees. Please see the Governance page for more information. 

Are children segregated?

Hujjat Primary is a co-educational school for children aged 4 to 11. Children will not be segregated for learning except when appropriate, for example, teaching of gender specific aspects of puberty.

Are Islamic Studies part of the curriculum?

The Islamic faith ethos and values of our school will be woven throughout the curriculum and will guide teaching, learning and behaviour rather than being a discrete subject.  In RE, children learn about Islam and all the major faiths from the SACRE syllabus, enriched with guest speakers, celebrations and activities with faith school partners where appropriate.

Children also have the opportunity to explore ethical issues, focusing on shared values and common answers to difficult moral questions.

What do you mean when you say that faith is woven into the way you teach?

Subject leaders, in conjunction with the faith lead, will incorporate appropriate topics, resources and Islamic role models throughout the curriculum. For example, studying Islamic geometric design in Maths, learning about scientific and medical advancements made by Muslims during the Islamic Golden Age, studying the lives of Muslim personalities in History and English.

What practical steps are you taking to bring faith values to life?

We are adopting a framework called Values-based Education (VbE), developed by Dr Neil Hawkes. The underlying aim of this approach at Hujjat Primary is for pupils to understand our Islamic values, to reflect them in their attitudes and behaviour, and to contribute to society through good citizenship and ethical practice.  Please see www.valuesbasededucation.com for more information.

Is time allocated for children to pray?

Reflection time is built into the day to foster children’s spiritual development. Formal prayer time is a consideration when preparing the school timetable, and age-appropriate provision is made for children who wish to pray. 

What about children who don’t want to pray?

All children are encouraged to reflect on the presence of God in their lives. Alternative provision will be made for children who come from families of other or no faith.

Which Islamic school of law are you following?

The Board of Hujjat Primary School is committed to an inclusive and non-denominational approach to Muslim faith education. We celebrate diversity and ensure inclusivity by focusing on the Prophetic Mission of developing good character.

What time does school start and finish?

Hujjat Primary broadly follows Harrow term dates with the addition of religious holidays, but we recognise that parents may already have children in other schools and will seek to accommodate this by having staggered drop-off and pick-up times.  Our school day starts at 8:45am and finishes at 3:15pm.

Will the school be inspected by OFSTED?

Yes, the school has been inspected by OFSTED. Standards, progress and attainment are regularly monitored, internally by the school leadership team and Trust Board, and externally with our education partners, to ensure the highest quality provision for all children. The School will also be inspected under Section 48 of the Education Act in order to maintain its designation as a Muslim faith school.

What extra curricular activities will be available?

Extended and extra-curricular activities will be aimed at further developing personal skills, nurturing interests and talents, and developing cultural capital. Clubs may include art, , drama, expression, sports, science, life skills and public speaking as well as clubs that support children’s Islamic faith education e.g. Quran recitation, Quran appreciation (contextual understanding using appropriate resources), and preparation for Buloogh (coming of age).

Are children taught to read the Quran?

Our Foreign Language options are Spanish and Arabic based on the British Council’s Languages for the Future report ranking these languages as the two most vital to the UK over the next 20 years. Children will be given further opportunities to develop their Quran recitation through extra-curricular clubs and activities.

What is the uniform policy?

Our school uniform is smart, practical, comfortable, provides value for money and foster a sense of community and common identity across the school. A headscarf is included as an optional item in the school uniform list but is not mandatory on any pupil. 

Which religious holidays are you observing?

We consult with our faith authority (KSIMCoL) and SACRE in relation to holidays that will affect the majority of our pupils, and publish term dates accordingly.