Jamia Islamia Birmingham Review 2026: Independent Islamic Education

Located in Sparkbrook, Jamia Islamia Birmingham offers a distinctive dual curriculum that combines secular National Curriculum studies with deep Islamic theology. Serving boys aged 11 to 19, the school aims to produce young men who are confident in their faith and prepared for life in modern Britain. Following a period of regulatory challenge, the school is on an improvement journey; it was rated Requires Improvement by Ofsted in July 2024, with inspectors noting that the quality of education and behaviour had improved to Good standards.

The school operates from a purpose-built site on Fallows Road, where the environment is unapologetically Islamic. The ethos is built on the teachings of the Quran and Sunnah, permeating every aspect of daily life from the dress code to the interactions between staff and students. Boys here are polite and respectful, and the atmosphere is one of a close-knit community where religious identity is the shared bond.

Mr Rezaul Haque has led the school as Headteacher since February 2025. His leadership focuses on stabilising the school's trajectory and embedding the improvements noted in recent inspections. The school has worked hard to ensure that secular subjects are given appropriate weight alongside religious studies.

In 2024, the school's Attainment 8 score was 28.9, placing it below the England average of 46.2. This performance sits in the national lower band, indicating that results are generally below the England average (bottom 40%).

The school ranks 3,775th in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking) and 102nd among schools in Birmingham. While raw grades in secular subjects are lower than national benchmarks, many students balance these studies with intensive Hifz (memorisation of the Quran) or Alim coursework. This dual focus demands significant time and cognitive load, which can impact secular exam performance.

At A-level, the cohort is often very small. In the most recent data, no students achieved A*-B grades. Families should view these statistics in the context of the dual-curriculum focus, where success is often measured by religious qualification alongside secular passes.

The curriculum is a duality. On one hand, students follow a standard secondary pathway leading to GCSEs in core subjects like English, Mathematics, and Science. On the other, they engage in Islamic Sciences, including Arabic language, Fiqh (jurisprudence), and Hadith studies.

Teaching quality has strengthened. Inspectors in July 2024 found that the quality of education is Good, a marked improvement from previous years. Teachers demonstrate secure subject knowledge, and assessment is used more effectively to identify gaps in understanding.

Pastoral care is rooted in Islamic values of brotherhood and responsibility. Form tutors and religious mentors provide a support network that guides students through their personal development. The school places strong emphasis on moral character (Akhlaq), and students are encouraged to support one another.

Safeguarding arrangements are effective. The school has worked to ensure that its procedures meet statutory requirements, a key area of focus in its improvement journey.

Extracurricular life revolves heavily around the Islamic calendar and religious disciplines. Students participate in Qiraat (recitation) competitions, Nasheed groups, and public speaking events focused on religious themes.

While the school may not offer the breadth of sporting or artistic clubs found in larger secular independents, it provides opportunities for students to lead prayers and organise religious gatherings, fostering leadership skills within a faith context.

Fees are approximately £2,400 per year. This low fee structure reflects the school's community ethos and charitable status, making independent education accessible to local families.

Bursaries or fee concessions may be available for families in financial hardship, though these are discretionary and funds are limited. Parents should contact the school office for the most current fee schedule and payment plans.

Admissions are handled directly by the school. The process is non-selective academically but requires a demonstrated commitment to the school's religious ethos and dual curriculum.

Families typically complete an application form available on the school website. This is often followed by an interview to ensure the family and student support the specific demands of the combined secular and Islamic education. Entry is primarily at Year 7, though vacancies may arise in other year groups.

The school day is longer than average to accommodate the dual curriculum. The school is located in Sparkbrook, easily accessible by local bus routes, though many students travel from across Birmingham.

Requires Improvement rating. While the school has improved from Inadequate to Requires Improvement (with Good features in quality of education), it remains on a journey. Leadership and management require further strengthening to ensure improvements are sustained.

Academic outcomes. Families focused purely on top-tier GCSE and A-level grades should note that results here are below the England average. The value of the school lies in its ability to deliver Islamic education alongside secular passes, not in topping league tables.

Dual curriculum demands. The workload is heavy. Balancing GCSEs with Hifz or Alim studies requires discipline and stamina. Students must be genuinely committed to both aspects of their education to thrive.

Jamia Islamia Birmingham serves a specific purpose: to educate young men in the Islamic tradition while securing the secular qualifications needed for modern life. It is best suited to families for whom religious environment and theological training are as important as GCSE grades. For those parents, the recent improvements in behaviour and teaching quality offer reassurance that the school is moving in the right direction.