LCM is extremely conscious of the importance of acquiring an academic education. This would contribute to the intellectual and educational development of the young generation and would provide a foundation for effective representations and contributions in the future. The challenge of this process for the Muslim community has always been maintaining a balance between preservation of Islamic consciousness within the young minds and acquiring an academic education. Ever mindful of this responsibility LCM has actively engaged with LEA’s to create awareness and secure facilities for community needs in schools. LCM continues to make representations on the following Blackburn with Darwen Council or Lancashire County Council committees: Early Years Development Plan, School Admissions Forum, School Improvement Forum, SACRE, Education Action Zone Forum, Admissions Policy Forum.

Schools Campaign
The Director of LCM, since the inception of the organisation, has continued to establish positive links with Schools within the County. This practice continues to be well maintained.

LCM facilitates numerous visits to a Mosque each year for both schools and professional bodies. These visits were for educational purposes and either formed an important part of GCSE Course work on Religious Studies or professional training on cultural awareness. Some schools also request for reciprocal visits by the Director to their schools for assistance with vital components of GCSE Coursework and developing an awareness of cultural and religious issues. All parties have deeply appreciated the service and expertise and acknowledge LCM as a central reference point for guidance, advice and training on matters concerning the Muslim children and Islamic Studies.

Race Equality Advisory Group
In Blackburn with Darwen schools approximately 30% of pupils are from ethnic minority backgrounds, and an increasing number of schools have 90+% ethnic minority pupil population. There are few, if any, schools in Blackburn with Darwen, which are ‘all white’. The Education & Training department sees this as a strength of the borough and is keen to work with its schools to recognise, respect and celebrate this diversity.

In doing so the Education and Training Department feels it would be useful for schools to consider all their policies and practices including those on dress (uniform, PE and swimming) in relation to the following key questions:

1. How do we recognise, respect and celebrate religious, cultural and linguistic diversity?
2. How do we respond positively, creatively and flexibly to the religious, cultural and linguistic needs of our pupils, their families and communities?
3. How do we forge partnerships with local communities that will allow us to come to better understandings about each others perspective needs?
4. Are any of our rules, regulations, organisational structures, lesson formats, groupings, or curriculum choices preventing some pupils (or groups of pupils) from benefiting from the educational opportunities we offer (i.e. how can we minimise the effects of any (school controlled) barriers to learning and participation)?

LCM is actively engaged in the above discussions and continuously presents the concerns of the minority communities.

Aims of Lancashire Council of Mosques

· To promote or assist in the promotion of education in Lancashire, which is consistent with the faith and practice of Islam.
· To promote the understanding that Muslim children have distinct educational and cultural heritage.
· To lobby for the provision of appropriate school uniforms, school meals, prayer facilities, swimming facilities and physical education facilities in all schools
· To highlight issues relating to standards and achievement of Muslim pupils in all schools and to redress the current imbalance in terms of achievement and access of opportunity for children from Muslim background

Objectives of Lancashire Council of Mosques

Representing the Muslim community viewpoint on the following bodies:-

· Lancashire SACRE
· Blackburn with Darwen SACRE
· Blackburn with Darwen School Organisation Committee
· Blackburn with Darwen EAZ Forum
· Lancashire Education and Training Committee
· Blackburn with Darwen Education and Training Committee
· Developing dialogue with Blackburn with Darwen LEA and Diocesan Board of Education to investigate areas of mutual co-operation and future action.
· Delivering Islamic awareness sessions to pupils and teachers in local schools and taking collective worship in local schools. Organising visits to local Mosques from schools
· Circulating Ramadan Guidelines for schools in Lancashire

Progress to date

This project is now closed. LCM however, still deliver mosque visits for schools, advise on issues relating to Muslim students and occasionally assembleys.