The Catholic primary school where 90 per cent of the pupils are Muslim



It was built in the 1 930s to cater for large numbers of Irish families moving to the area.



Now, in a sign of changing times, a Catholic primary school in Birmingham has an intake that is 90 per cent Muslim.



All pupils at the Rosary Catholic Primary attend Catholic assemblies in the morning and Mass at the nearby church, while crucifixes and statues of the Virgin Mary line the corridors.

New reality: Pupils at the Rosary Catholic Primary school, Saltley, Birmingham, which has an intake that is 90 per cent Muslim

Changing times: The primary school was set up in the 1930s to serve a large Irish Catholic population

But only around 40 pupils out of 400 are Catholics – most of the rest are Muslims of Pakistani origin.



The school is among a few dozen Catholic primaries, mainly in the Midlands and North West, where churchgoing children are now outnumbered by Muslims.



At Rosary, in the Saltley area of Birmingham, some of the pupils’ parents are imams and some live in nearby mosques.

Father Bernard Kelly, the local parish priest and Rosary’s chairman of governors, said: ‘This is a changing parish like all parishes in strong Muslim neighbourhoods.



‘Our school is largely made up of Muslim children whose parents are happy to have them attend a Christian school. For the church, this is a new reality.



‘At school, the pupils hear about the teachings of Jesus but they are not imposed on them.’



He added: ‘I’m sure we will be here in another 80 years’ time. Why not?’



Multi-faiths: Pupils at the Rosary Catholic Primary attend Catholic assemblies in the morning and Mass at the nearby church

The primary school, along with a church and a secondary school, were set up in the 1930s to serve a large Irish Catholic population.



Eighty years on, the school has been praised by Ofsted for ‘outstanding’ work promoting cohesion among diverse local communities.



John Gubbins, the school’s headmaster, said: ‘We follow the Catholic Diocese programme for religious education which pupils are taught for ten to 15 per cent of the week.’



All pupils, aged three to 11, take part in plays to celebrate Christmas and Easter, while Muslim holy days are also marked.

'Outstanding': John Gubbins, the school¿s headmaster, says it was 30 per cent Catholic and 70 per cent Muslim when he arrived 11 years ago

At the same time, the school provides opportunities for ‘multi-faith prayer’.



Most pupils who arrive at the school do not speak English as their first language.



Mr Gubbins added: ‘When I came here 11 years ago, it was 30 per cent Catholic and 70 per cent Muslim.

