BIRCHFIELD INDEPENDENT GIRLS SCHOOL
Prospectus
Aiming for All – Round Excellence through Islamic Education
1
Headteacher’s Welcome
In the name of Allah the most gracious and the most merciful.
Birchfield Independent Girls School (BIGS) is a growing independent secondary
school that exists to provide an excellent Islamic education for the girls of
Birmingham.
We provide schooling that corresponds with the educational desires and
responsibilities of parents, and which works towards the development of the whole
child in a dynamic, spiritual and purposeful community. Clear communication,
positive relationships, real life experiences and a richly varied curriculum are all
integral components in the educational journey of our girls. Our school motto, in the
footsteps of Aisha (ra) epitomizes all the qualities we strive to develop in our girls.
The mother of the believers Aisha (ra) was well renowned for her passion for
knowledge together with her excellence in manners and conduct.
At BIGS we believe that students flourish in a secure, caring and fun environment,
with clear expectations and firm boundaries. We strive for academic excellence
while treating children as individuals. We encourage children to develop their own
talents and personality and we value diversity in our school community.
We hope that you will enjoy finding out about school. Please contact us to arrange a
private tour of the school. We look forward to meeting you.
Mrs R. Mogra
Headteacher
2
Birchfield
Independent
Girls’
School (BIGS) is open to girls aged 11 to 16.
The school was established with the aim of providing young Muslim girls with the
same standard of education parents would expect from a state school while at the
same time preserving and emphasising the Islamic identity of the pupils. The overall
ethos and the running of BIGS lie in the hands of the Board of Governors, and the
Head Teacher.
Head teacher
Mrs. R. Mogra
Head of Citizenship,
Head of Pastoral
Care, Detentions
Officer, EAL Coordinator
Mrs S. Parveen
Head of Science,
Teaching and
Learning
Development
Assistant
Mrs R. Akram
Recruitment
Assistant,
Examinations
Officer, Assessments
Manager, Teaching
and Learning
Development
Assistant
Mrs W. Zeshan
Islamic Ethos
Development,
Mentor, Head of
Islamic Studies
Mrs A. Boodi
Senior Supervisor
Mrs Z. Sheikh
The School Board of Governors are as follows:
Mr A. Teladia (Chairman), Mr. A. Omer LLB, Mr A. Kapadia, Mr I. Ali, Mr J. Yakoob,
Mr Y. Chikhliwala, Mr Y. Memi
Centre Manager: Mr Suleman Hansrod
Maintenenance Staff: Mr. F. Kara/ Mr. B. Hussain
3
School Background
Birchfield Independent Girls School opened with twelve girls in a terraced house on
Arden Road in 1990. This accommodation was not conductive to an educational
environment, and Alhamdulillah, we moved to Bayswater Road and then to Wilson
Road as the number of pupils on roll increased to sixty girls.
Through the good support of our Muslim community, we managed to raise sufficient
funds and we moved into the current property in 1997. At the same time we
managed to increase the number of pupils on roll to a hundred and twenty girls.
The current building is adequate for our present need. There are eight classrooms,
a science laboratory, Art / Craft room, a library, a kitchen, two staff rooms, admin
office, sick bay room, two rooms with IT / computer network facilities, a reception
area, dinning hall, a tuck shop, a large hall for prayers and assembly, and a School
Manager / Head Teacher’s office.
A high wall surrounds the medium sized playground. It is hoped that extra rooms
and additional facilities can be added in the near future.
4
Staff
Name
Mrs R. Mogra
Mrs R. Akram
Mrs W. Zeshan
Mrs A. Boodi
Mrs Z. Sheikh
Mrs B. Mancel
Mrs S. Zafar
Position
Headteacher
Head of Science, Teaching and
Learning Development Assistant
Assessments Manager,
Examinations Officer,
Recruitments Assistant, ICT
Teacher KS3, Urdu Teacher KS4,
Teaching & Learning
Development Assistant, First
Aider
Head of Islamic Studies, Mentor,
Islamic ethos development,
Islamic Studies Teacher
Senior Supervisor, Head of
Support Staff, Lunchtime
Supervisor
Head of ICT
Head of English, Gifted &
Talented Co-ordinator
Mrs H. Chopra
Mrs S. Khalil
Head of Citizenship.
Head of Pastoral Care,
EAL Co-ordinator, English
Teacher
Head of KS3 Maths
Islamic Studies KS3
Mrs A. Younis
Head of P. E., First Aider
Mrs N. Khatma
Science Teacher
Mrs S. Parveen
Miss I. Fida
Ms H. Jabbar
Head of Geography,
Additional Support Co-ordinator
Maths
Qualifications/Experience
Deputy Head, 7307 Teacher
Training,
20 years teaching Maths
BSc (Hons) Chemistry,
Msc Chemistry, QTS
Degree in Mathematics &
computer Sciences, , PGCE
Mathematics, MSc Computer
Sciences, QTS
BA Hons Islamic Law &
Theology
Aalima
MSc Computing
MA English Linguistics
BA (Hons) in English Language
and Arabic, CELTA
BA (Hons) Management and
Law,
MA Educational Studies
MSc Education, QTS
GCSE’s
Coaching/ Kickboxing/ Aerobics
Instructor
BSc (Hons) in Biology/
Psychology
BA Hons Theology- Islamic
Studies
BSc Biological Science
BTEC National in Science, BA
(Hons) Education Studies with
Creative Writing
Miss J. Bibi
Citizenship Teacher, Pastoral
Care
Mrs W. Mihoub
Arabic Teacher, Qur’an Teacher
Tajweed Level 1 & 2
Bachelors in Mandarin Chinese
Miss A. Saleem
Miss F. A. Dad
Head of Art, Head of Food &
Nutrition
Head of KS3 English
History Teacher
Mrs S. Roghey
Administration
Miss R. Begum
Mrs. F. Patel
Administration, First Aider
Head Teacher’s PA, Libriarian
BTEC National Diploma in Art &
Design, PTLLS & Celta
BA Hons English Literature
A Levels
Business Admin/ ECDL
Computer Course
A Levels, Administration
Administration
Miss S. Abdullahi
5
Application for Admission
All new applicants are required to complete an application form. An admission fee of
£10.00 should be made payable to the School Office, please note that the
Admission fee is non-refundable. Admissions are offered to pupils stating for year 7,
8, and 9. For year 10 pupils the school may or may not accept admission depending
on circumstances. Admissions for year 11 are not accepted.
Pupils will be selected for admission to the school on the following guidelines:
Conformity to the Islamic faith
Academic performance
Having a sister who is already at the school
Waiting list order
Conditions for Admission:
The minimum age for admission is 11 years.
Pupils must sit an entrance examination in Mathematics, English and Islamic
Studies, the parents of all new applicants will be interviewed.
Applications should be submitted in writing using the school’s standard
admissions form together with a copy of their birth certificate, last school
report and £10 admission fee.
Applicants should apply before February 2012 for the next academic year.
Late applications will delay your application and will be placed at the end of
our waiting list.
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On the successful acceptance of an applicant; a deposit of £100.00 will be
required in advance. (Unless agreed otherwise). This deposit will be
refundable when the pupil leaves the school, after giving notice of four
weeks, all fees have been paid, all books have been returned in good
condition, and the pupil has caused no intentional damage to school
property.

If the parents withdraw the student with less than 4 weeks notice. The
deposit will be used for paying the fees.

A weaker candidate may be offered a place in a class on the condition
that she attends tuition sessions, which are held after normal school
hours.

If a student fails in the core subjects; English, Mathematics and
Science, at the end of the academic year, the student will be required
to repeat the year.
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Academic Calendar & Holidays
The academic year is divided into three terms more or less following the
Birmingham LEA term dates. At the beginning of each year, a list of dates of the
school terms will be issued. The school usually closes for a few days in Ramadan,
as well as for both the Islamic festivals Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha. These are part of
the yearly allocation of holidays for the pupils.
Although some parents have suggested that the school should close during
Ramadan, the governors feel that this would be unsuitable for those parents with
other children attending LEA state schools in the area. Having “one child at school
and the other at home” can cause problems for such families.
The typical academic year is as follows:
First term:
September to December. 2011
Second term:
January to April. 2012
Third term:
April to July. 2012
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The School Day
For Academic Year 2011- 2012
PERIOD
START
END
Timetable changes due to term dates
Morning
08.35
09.00
and Salah time.
Registration
Lunch is taken between 12:35 – 13:10.
Period
1
09:00
09:50
For years 7 - 11. Any pupil arriving
Period
2
09:50
10:40
after 8.45am will be considered late
10:40
10:55
and will be placed on detention,
Break
Period
3
10:55
11:45
therefore we request all parents to
Period
4
11:45
12:35
ensure their daughters arrive on time.
Lunch /
12:35
1:10
Zuhr Salah
1:10
1:40
Period 5
1:40
2:25
Period 6
2:25
3:10
For Academic year 2011 – 2012, the school start time will be 8.35am and finishing
at 3.10m. Above lessons will be amended accordingly.
Hot meals are provided in the school and pupils are encouraged to buy hygienic and
healthy food from the school, all of which are provided by HMC certified suppliers.
Pupils can also buy healthy snacks and drinks from the Tuck shop during break time
and lunchtime.
The whole school assemblies / collective worship are held after Zuhr salah. On
Friday, the pupils also recite Surah Qahf for morning Dhikr.
The school’s aim is to provide an environment in which pupils can achieve
educational success. The most important factor of this success would be to promote
the understanding of Islam in each child and its implementation of Islam in their daily
lives.To this effect the school implements practical reminders and issues
instructions for manners and behaviour as situations arise. Form tutor tutorial
classes, assemblies and dining times are designed to maximise the emphasis of
Islam.
9
Curriculum
The school offers the following subjects:
English Language & Literature.
History
Mathematics
Arabic Language
Science
Al-Qur’an Tajweed
Islamic studies
Food Technology
Information Technology
Geography
Art (For Year 7, 8 and 9 only)
Physical Education (PE)
Citizenship
Urdu
The school offers the following subjects
at GCSE level:
English Language
Mathematics
Science (Single/ Double award)
Islamic Studies
Urdu
Citizenship
Geography
ICT
Arabic
History
All the above subjects are taught within an Islamic context.
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Extra Curricular Activities
Visits are important to support and enhance work across the whole curriculum
and are organised during the academic year. A number of educational trips are
usually organised during the summer term. Interclass Competition of Qiraat,
Nasheed, English Debate, Urdu Debate and Quiz are also organised during the
2nd term. Drama activities are held under the supervision of Urdu and English
Department Staff.
After school tuition is also available in English, Mathematics and Science for
pupils who need extra support. To improve pupils GCSE pass rates, after school
hours learning is provided for year 10 and 11 students in the core subjects.
The school’s intention is to provide an all girls Youth Club after normal school
hours for development of various sporting activities. The school also publishes a
magazines/newsletter on a regular basis, which highlights the progress,
improvements and aims of the school throughout the year. The editorial team
prepare the newsletter under the supervision of the staff.
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Fees
The School is financed entirely by the fees given by parents, charitable
donations, and from well-wishers who support Islamic Education. The school
fees for the academic year 2011-12 are £1500/ year. The annual academic fees
can either be paid in full at the start of the school year, or in three instalments,
usually at the beginning of each term in September, January and April. Fees may
be paid in smaller amounts by arrangement with the school.
The school reserves the right to reassess fees on an annual basis. Anyone
experiencing difficulties with the payments should initially contact the School
Manager who will be able to offer advice. Fees should be paid to Mr Farid or Mr
Bashir in reception.
If a student decides to opt out during mid–term the fees will not be refundable for
that term. Minimum of four weeks notice should be given before leaving the
school. The fee is not inclusive of out of school activities or any textbooks that
the school may recommend other than those used in the classroom.
Pupil Welfare
Members of staff constantly aim to create a family feeling where adults care for
all pupils and pupils care for each other. Constant attention is paid to the health
of all pupils. If any concerns arise, the parents will be notified immediately. It is
vital that parents inform the school of any medical problems their children are
suffering from, or any other health matters, which may affect the pupils’
performance / attendance in school. Parents are requested to ensure that their
daughters have regular eye and dental check-ups.
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Homework
Homework is set daily in majority of the subjects. These are recorded in the
pupils’ individual homework diaries provided by the school. Parents and staff
should sign the diaries weekly and parents are requested to check that their
daughters are completing the set homework on a daily basis. A copy of the
timetable will be issued to your daughter when she arrives.
Discipline
Following Islamic guidance, the school expects all pupils to display high
standards of behaviour at all times. Respect, care and concern for all staff and
fellow pupils must be shown. Parents will be informed of any pupil found
misbehaving repeatedly. If a pupil is to be detained as part of a school-imposed
sanction, parents will be notified in advance, stating the reason for the detention
and the duration.
School Reports and Examinations
Six weekly tests are carried out to assess your daughter’s progress. The idea
behind such assessment is to allow the teachers to go over the work with the
pupils as part of the revision process. End of term examinations are held and
reports are forwarded to parents. We hold parents evening and encourage all
parents to attend the parents evening in supporting their daughter with her
studies.
It is important for all pupils to attend school during the examination period and
parents are requested not to book holidays during the school terms dates.
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Attendance
All pupils must attend school regularly and punctually; this is very important as
the local welfare department frequently checks school registers. If a pupil is
absent for any reason, a letter signed by the parents / guardian must be sent to
the school on her return or as soon as possible after that. In order to not disrupt
the pupils’ education unnecessarily, parents are urged to make medical
appointments for their daughters after school hours whenever possible.
Overseas and family holidays must not be organised during term time.
Guidance for Parents
The Governors and the school staff would appreciate it if the parents and pupils
support the school and its aims in every respect. B.I.G.S can only improve
standards through the co-operation of all concerned.
Parents are reminded of a few additional points as follows:
 If and when permission to leave school for appointments is requested,
parents are asked to collect their daughters personally; girls are otherwise not
allowed to leave the school premises before 3.10 pm for any reason
whatsoever.
 Although parents are always welcome to visit the school, it would be helpful if
an appointment could be made to ensure that a member of staff will be
available at the required time.
 All forms (e.g. confirmation of attending parents’ evenings, permission for
school
trips,
the
annual
update
of
personal
information,
report
acknowledgements, etc.) must be completed and returned promptly to the
school when requested.
 If parents feel that they may have missed any correspondence from the
school or would like to see copies of all letters circulated they are free to ask
at the school office.
Please remember that BIGS is only responsible for the well-being and
whereabouts of its pupils during normal school hours (i.e. from 8.35am to
3.10pm).
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The School Uniform
Uniform is comfortable and stops competition about fashion trends and gives a
feeling of belonging to the school. All pupils must strictly adhere to the school’s
uniform and PE kit policy at all times.
The uniform colour is Black and Purple and is available from the school during
August for the beginning of the New Year for September, and is also available
throughout the school year. It is compulsory for the pupils to buy uniform from the
school to avoid difference in colour.
School Uniform policy
Birchfield Independent girls school is a uniform school. We expect all parents to
provide their children with the full and correct uniform at all times. We expect our
students to wear our uniform smartly and correctly at all times including to and
from school.
Girls Uniform
Plain outdoor coat, dark coloured
Plain black cardigan, thigh length
Plain black shoes
Plain black socks, no patterns
Purple school hijab (bought from school), secured with a plain sliding pin
Full length school jilbaab (black) must be purchased from school.
Black underclothes (loose thigh length top and black trousers/shalwaar kameez)
No jewellery or make-up
P.e kit (purchased from school)
Loose red top ( thigh length)
Dark jogging bottoms
Plain trainers
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Swimming kit
Loose black t-shirt, knee length
Black leggings
Please note that pupils shall be disciplined for breach of the uniform code, and
exclusion or detention will be an appropriate response only where there is a
pattern of defiant behaviour. If items such as high-heeled shoes are worn
repeatedly and jewellery or make-up is used, then the teacher will confiscate
items for safe keeping until the end of term. The items will then be handed over
to the parent guardian.
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Complaints Procedure
Please let us know when you are pleased with your child’s progress and with the
action of their teachers and the school. It helps us to know we’ve got it right and
enables us to build on good practice.
We would also like to inform you that the school has various Policies such as
Health and Safety, Bullying, Child Protection, Admissions Policy as well as a
Complaints Procedure which you are very welcome to view by arranging an
appointment with the School. We also have a GCSE examination results appeal
policy in addition to many others.
If you have any concerns or complaints, please contact the pupil’s teacher or the
Head Teacher. All of our school policies are available upon request from the
school office.
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Academic Achievements
G.C. S.E. Exam results 2009/2010
Percentage
English
Mathematics
Science
Citizenship
Islamic
Studies
Studies
60%
86%
97%
94%
Science
Citizenship
Islamic
Urdu
Studies
Studies
86%
100%
of students
Urdu
achieving
grade A*-C
Overall
80%
63%
G.C. S.E. Exam results 2010/2011
Percentage
English
Mathematics
of students
achieving
grade A*-C
Overall
65%
70%
59%
41%
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97%
Birchfield Independent Girls’ School
Beacon House,
30 Beacon Hill,
Aston,
Birmingham,
B6 6JU
Tel: 0121 327 7707
Fax: 0121 327 6888
Website: www.bigs.org.uk
E-mail: admin.bigs@gmail.com
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