Every evening, 92% of the young Muslim population attend Madrassah to learn about Islamic teachings; this effectively limits the opportunities the children and young people can participate in out-of-school physical activity sessions.
In partnership with Active Lancashire, we work closely with Madrassah leaders to embed physical activity into Madrassah settings with the aim of increasing the activity levels and overall wellbeing of their children and young people.
Co-producing the foundations…
Madrassahs wished to introduce opportunities for people to be more active but were unsure which approach to take and welcomed guidance and support on how this could be done.
We worked with the Madrassahs to explore what makes it harder to be active in a Madrassah, the services and funding opportunities already available, and what types of physical activity could really connect in their setting.
An essential part of our early work was to co-produce the fundamental building blocks to the Active Madrassah work. The building blocks formed the direction and scope of our work and goals.
Leadership Academies
Our Active Madrassahs Leadership Academies support teachers, volunteers and young leaders to build confidence, develop leadership skills and create more opportunities for movement, play and sport within Madrassah settings.
Each academy brings participants together across a series of interactive sessions focused on:
• exploring personal strengths and leadership styles
• sharing ideas and challenges with other Madrassah leaders
• learning practical ways to embed movement, play and activity into lessons and the wider Madrassah environment
• building confidence to influence colleagues, policies and practices within their settings
These academies recognise the important role Madrassah leaders play in shaping the experiences of children and young people. By investing in their development, we help create environments where physical activity can naturally become part of everyday learning.
Participants also become part of a growing Active Madrassahs leadership network, where they can continue sharing ideas, supporting each other and developing new opportunities for children and families.
What participants say
“It’s really helped us reflect on how we lead. We realised we’re just one part of the jigsaw – working with partners helps bring everything together.”
“We’ve started adding movement between lessons and looking at redesigning parts of our syllabus so children have more opportunities to play and be active.”
“Individually, we felt like we were on this journey alone, but through the academy we’ve created something together.”
Following the success of our first two Female Leadership Academy cohorts, the programme is now expanding to include a Male Leadership Academy and a new and exciting Youth Leadership Academy launching in September.
Read more about the Female Leadership Academy here.
Learn more about the Youth Leadership Academy here.
Embedding movement into Madrassah settings and the impact we’ve made
Clitheroe Madrassah
Darus-Salaam Education Centre
Imam Muhammad Zakariya School
Madjid Momineen
Madni Da’wah
Madrassah Anwar
Madrassah Noorul Islam
Madrassah Islamiyah
Madrassah Riyadhul Jannah
Noorul Uloom
Olive High
Who we’re working with
Through co-designing with Madrassahs, we discovered a natural alignment between the Islamic faith and the Sunnah sports, which include archery, horse riding, running, swimming and wrestling.
By collaborating with national governing bodies and local partners, we aim to upskill Madrassah staff, providing them with the tools and knowledge to embed sustainable physical activity provisions.
We aim to introduce a wide array of inclusive, accessible sports and physical activities in Madrassahs, catering to diverse interests and abilities.
Archery GB – Project Rimaya
Project Rimaya (the Arabic word for archery) aims to empower Muslim communities to learn and grow through the sport of archery. Through Project Rimaya we have had the opportunity to upskill Madrassah teachers and volunteers to become archery instructors.
Click here if your Madrassah would like to Become an Archery GB Activity Partner | Archery GB
The Pony Club
A non-traditional approach into Horse Riding where The Pony Club designed a classroom-based curriculum which familiarises young people with horses. This progresses to spending time at the stables, and having the opportunity to have a horse riding lesson.
Paddle UK and Canal and Rivers Trust
Active Madrassahs, Paddle UK and Canals and River Trust are working in collaboration to provide young people with canoeing sessions.
The next phase of this collaboration is to identify participants who would like to become canoeing instructors and upskill them to deliver to the community.
Lancashire Football Association
Soccersize has been introduced to Madrassah principals and some have taken to it very well and are practicing it in Madrassahs. Others have applied for Wild Cat sessions and we are looking to set up a small league for girls.
English Cricket Board
Active Madrassahs and the Lancashire Cricket Board are working closely with Madrassahs to upskill volunteers and teachers to become cricket coaches. A number of Madrassahs have cricket activators who deliver All Stars and Dynamos to children.
Active Learning Training
Active Learning, initially co-designed with Move & Learn, integrates movement into Madrassah teachings to enhance children’s engagement, focus, and behaviour. This approach encourages physical activity during learning, helping children to better absorb information and stay engaged. Even with limited equipment, the activities are simple yet highly effective.
Our Active Learning Trainers, empower educators to embed active learning strategies within Madrassahs curriculums. We’ve developed resources, including an Active Learning slide deck and practical learning cards, that guide teachers on how to use movement to enrich lessons.
Feedback from Madrassahs has been overwhelmingly positive, with teachers reporting improvements in concentration and a shift towards more dynamic, engaging teaching practices.
Active Learning Cards
The Active Learning Cards that accompany the kit are designed to provide inspiration and ideas for creative and sustainable uses of the equipment. These cards offer simple, adaptable activities and challenges that can be tailored to suit different age groups and abilities. By using the cards, staff can continually find new ways to keep physical activity fresh, engaging, and relevant, ensuring the benefits are felt over the long term.
How Madrassahs are embracing change
Getting Started
At the beginning of the journey to becoming a more active Madrassah, our team visits Madrassahs to introduce them to the exciting opportunities for integrating physical activity into their daily routines. Each Madrassah receives a Kit Bag, filled with a range of equipment designed to spark creativity and empower staff and students to introduce fun and engaging physical activities during Madrassah time.
Importantly, the Kit Bag is not a set of rigid instructions but a flexible resource that encourages staff and young people to explore and innovate. The aim is to introduce activity in ways that fit the unique needs and values of each Madrassah. The equipment can be used for everything from group games to individual challenges, promoting physical fitness, teamwork, and coordination.
Commitment to Action
Along with the kit, each Madrassah receives a Commitment Card, where the Madrassah team commit to how they will incorporate the kit into their daily activities. This ensures that the use of the equipment is not just a one-off event but part of a sustained effort to encourage physical activity over time. The commitment helps to keep everyone motivated and accountable, fostering a culture of active learning within the Madrassah.
For more info about this workstream, please email Sumaiyah on ssolkar@activelancashire.org.uk