Beacon Lights Schools

Beacon Lights Schools offers an all-through education from age 4 to 16 within a Sunni Islamic ethos. It is co-educational, non-boarding and has no sixth form, so the route runs from primary years through the end of secondary school rather than into post-16 study. Its stated welcome extends to children from different social, cultural and religious backgrounds.

From age five, the curriculum combines literacy, numeracy and foundation subjects in the primary years with traditional academic subjects in the secondary phase. Arabic is taught from age five and Islamic Education is a substantial strand. A detailed qualifications list and sixth-form programme are not confirmed here, so the supported picture is of an Islamic all-through day school with a broad secondary foundation.

One form is provided for each year group, an average class size of 16 and a school day from 8.30am to 3.30pm, with enrichment during and after the day. Its CARAT values stand for consideration, appreciation of difference, responsibility, ambition and tolerance. Named facilities and activity choices are less fully set out, making the small-class structure, Arabic and Islamic education the clearest features of the day-to-day offer.

Applications require a form and recent school report, followed by a computer-based ability test and written reading and spelling assessments. Successful applicants attend an interview with the Headteacher, and a reference is requested. September entry is listed as 1 February and January entry as 1 November; applicants need to confirm dates and fees before applying.