WOLVERHAMPTON, UK—Nishkam Primary School, formerly Anand Primary, became the city’s first free school when it opened its doors in 2012.
After undergoing a troubled first year, Birmingham-based Nishkam Education Trust took over the running of the school in Great Brickkiln Street, overseeing an increase in pupil numbers and the appointment of a new headteacher.
Now, school bosses have revealed plans to transform the school into one of ‘religious character’, a move they say will bring it into line with the trust’s other four schools in Birmingham and West London.
It means Nishkam would become the first Sikh faith school in Wolverhampton, a city which has the second highest percentage of Sikh residents in the country.
Under the new arrangements, 50 per cent of places at the school will be allocated to pupils whose parents declare them to be followers of any faith, with the remainder allocated by Wolverhampton City Council.
In a letter sent out to members of the community in Graiseley, headteacher Harmander Dhanjal wrote: “We believe that as families, society and civic organisations become increasingly secular, there is a lost opportunity for the enrichment of individuals with the key shared legacy of faith traditions, that of values.”
He added that the school planned to work with other local faith and non-faith schools in an effort to offer greater value in the type of education on offer.
Designating a school as a faith school can also impact collective worship and staffing matters, while in the majority of Sikh schools in the UK pupils are restricted to a vegetarian diet, with meat strictly forbidden.
Nishkam Trust chairman Brin Mahon, said: “We continue very strongly to be a multi-faith school, where we teach common values of all faiths, and experience each others faith festivals.
“For example, our pupils celebrate Christmas, Diwali, Vaisakhi, Eid etc. As a result of Nishkam education, our pupils not only tolerate each other’s background but respect the commonality of each of us.
“We believe strongly that this approach will unite communities and make for a strong Britain.”
Before making the change the school is required to submit a formal business case that meets the approval of the Secretary of State.
The school has launched a public consultation into the proposal which runs until February 27. To take part visit nishkamschooltrust.org/npswconsultation or call 01902 554900 for more information
