
3AL-NOOR PRIMARY SCHOOLS |
BEST PRACTICE SPONSOR 2020
in several events to celebrate
achievements, or to campaign for
change such as congratulating the
local authority when it became a living
wage provider.
Good citizenship is also endorsed
through initiatives such as The Faith
& Belief Forum’s School Linking
Programme where year 5 pupils work
with pupils from a local Catholic
school to promote understanding
and friendship. Through the school’s
annual Islam Awareness week the
same objective is achieved but with
a wider audience, as primary schools
across the borough are invited to
browse an exhibition put together
by the school and hosted by pupils.
Visitors from charities, different faiths
during national interfaith week and
professional backgrounds educate
pupils about key values they have
in common with people from all
backgrounds and the important role
they can play in society.
Faith for positive personal development
is also fostered through the school’s
“Navigate” character curriculum
which was developed by staff
and trustees. Through a focus on
essential characteristics for life,
pupils develop across their schooling
a range of attributes to help them
become upright individuals of
integrity, motivated by a belief in
accountability to God. A range of 17
characteristics are covered, including
those that would help children to
develop leadership qualities, such
as communication, ownership and
contribution, as well as those that
develop morality such as sincerity,
honesty, empathy and generosity.
The schools are also in the process
of planning and delivering a new
thematic approach to the curriculum,
based on the flagship “Harmony”
curriculum. The school has adapted
this ethos by promoting a connection
to God through reflection on the
natural world, while retaining its
original theme of environmental
sustainability. Environmental
sustainability is an important part of
Islamic citizenship, which views the
human being as God’s custodian of
the earth. The individual is charged
with thoughtful consumption while
sharing and protecting the resources
God has blessed and is testing us with.
The approach advances a cross-
curricular theme across curricular
subjects, which are planned around
key questions to answer during
lessons, so children own their learning
through enquiry. The curriculum is
underpinned by seven principles:
oneness, adaptation, cycles,
interdependence, diversity, health and
geometry. Each year group takes a
principle each half-term and reflects on
it while exploring answers to their key
questions. The national curriculum is
delivered with value added beyond its
prescription, and purpose is given to
pupil learning, enriching knowledge of
the world and cultural capital.
Looking ahead
We encourage our pupils to examine
the world they take for granted
around them. Through reflection on
the Divine miracles they observe, they
forge a devotion to God that can fuel
them through their lives. For example,
reflecting on the Covid-19 pandemic
in this light, galvanises pupils as they
acknowledge its Divine root has
purpose. This reflection establishes a
profound faith that motivates pupils’
aspirations and actions so that they
leave a blessed mark on the world in
their wake.
Underpinned by a clearly articulated
purpose and strategic vision, I am
optimistic that the schools will,
God-willing, continue to grow from
strength to strength, becoming
trailblazers for others, thereby
continuing to nurture generations of
citizens who contribute positively to
the country and the communities in
which they live.
The success of
the two schools
can be directly
attributed to
their faith ethos
and how closely
this is shared by
families, as well
as by staff and
governors
“
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Year 6 visit
Snowdonia as part
of the curriculum for
their last half term at
the school