The school had 80 pupils aged four-to-11 on roll and shut down for good on December 16

An independent Muslim school which was once criticised for failing to protect students from radicalisation has been shut down by the government after a year-long investigation.

The Department for Education has removed the controversial Birmingham Muslim School from its register of independent schools, triggering its closure.

An investigation into the school’s owners, Albayan Education Foundation Ltd, is still under way by the Charity Commission, connected to an unreported ‘serious incident’ relating to the school.

Headteacher Janet Laws, also known as Aisha Abdrabba, had previously been subject to an interim prohibition order banning her from teaching.


She had been deemed to be ‘a potential risk to pupils’ – though it is understood the ban, imposed in February last year, was lifted in the autumn.



The closure of the school was revealed by education watchdog Ofsted in a final report published this month.

According to the report, the school had 80 pupils aged four-to-11 on roll and shut down for good on December 16.

Ghoma Abdrabba, husband of the head teacher Aisha was named by the US Treasury for allegedly funding terrorism, however he denied the claims and had his name removed from a sanctions list (Picture: BPM Media)

Ofsted inspectors stood by to ensure Ms Abdrabba was closing it down.

The controversial school has been under regular review by Ofsted since 2014.

In its 19 year-history, the school has never been graded ‘Good’ or better by Ofsted.

The DfE confirmed that Secretary of State Gavin Williamson had decided in November to remove the school from the register of independent schools, meaning it could no longer operate lawfully.

Birmingham Muslim School on Golden Hillock Road in Small Heath, Birmingham (Picture: BPM Media)

A DfE spokesperson said: ‘Safeguarding our children and young people throughout their education is paramount, regardless of the setting in which they are being taught.

‘Where any independent school fails to meet the independent school standards, we will take robust action.’

Parents had protested against the school’s closure and said they were ‘reluctant to send their children to other schools’.

Birmingham City Council said it was working with parents and leaders of the school to identify suitable arrangements for the former pupils.

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A council spokesperson said: ‘Our officers have been supporting all the families of pupils from Birmingham Muslim School since the decision was taken for the independent school to close and will continue to do so.

‘Children have either moved to other local schools or some families have opted to educate their children at home.’

In 2017, inspectors ruled pupils could be at risk of radicalisation because of safeguarding failings.

In a second report later in the year inspectors noted: ‘There is no doubting the ambition, commitment and hard work of school leaders.

An investigation into the school’s owners, Albayan Education Foundation Ltd, is still under way by the Charity Commission (Picture: BPM Media)

‘They simply do not know enough about the government’s requirements for running a school.’

The owner had been listed, since its opening in 2001, as Ghoma Abdrabba, husband of the head teacher Aisha.

He was once named by the US Treasury for allegedly funding terrorism, however he denied the claims and had his name removed from a sanctions list.

He told Ofsted inspectors during a visit in 2017 that he had ‘nothing to do with the school’ – yet he was still officially listed as proprietor.

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