Ramadan Policy

Introduction

Hamstead Hall Academy staff are not here to tell students and parents what to do, but to support them with whatever decision they make to ensure students are thoroughly prepared, well in advance of the exams in order that they perform to their maximum potential. We have worked with all of the secondary schools in the North-West area and in consultation with Birmingham Central Mosque have produced this guidance and support document for students and parents.

A typical day in Ramadan

Key Dates

 Ramadan will start on approximately Saturday 2nd April and will continue until approximately Sunday 1st May. It is highly likely that the first GCSE exams will take place within this period.

For your consideration

The pursuit of education is a religious and moral duty for all Muslims with the Qur’an stating: ‘Seeking knowledge is compulsory for every Muslim, man and woman’ (hadith).

Good GCSE exam results are vital to your child’s future life chances and options. Exam grades will play an important role as they seek to move onto further and higher education. Future job opportunities will also be determined by these exam results.

Whilst fasting has many spiritual benefits its physical impact can lead to tiredness, low energy, dehydration, reduced focus, memory loss or inability to concentrate. A young Muslim is required to fulfil their religious obligations, however if this creates hardship and impacts upon their exam performance, it may have a significantly negative impact on their future education and employment options. If the necessary grades aren’t met for core subjects, they may have to re-sit their exams and risk missing out on their preferred choice of further education.

Hardship is an established principle in Islam that allows Muslims to delay or skip their fasting (Qur’an, 2:184). There are many Muslim scholars who believe that students sitting important exams can be exempt from fasting if they fear that fasting will negatively impact upon their performance. Under these circumstances students could choose to fast on an alternative date.

Scholars have a wide and diverse range of opinions on how to support and enable young Muslims to perform to the best of their ability in exams during Ramadan. These include:

•  Parents and young Muslims will decide not to fast on exam days and to make it up after Ramadan.
•  Parents and young Muslims will continue to fast on the days of their exams but will perform the night prayer at home.
•  Parents and young Muslims will decide to continue to fast on the days of their exams and to perform the night prayer in congregation at the mosque.

The decision to fast or to delay remains with your family and with your child. We suggest speaking with your child to find out their views.

Whether your child will be observing Ramadan during the exam period or not you may find the following suggestions for their physical, mental and emotional well-being helpful during the exam period:

•  Ensure your child gets plenty of sleep – 8 hours as a general guide
•  Switch of mobile devices at night - the ‘blue light’ is proven to over stimulate the brain
•  Create and stick to a revision timetable – your school will support you with this
• Be sure to plan relaxation time – a relaxed mind and body is more effective
•  Eat a balanced diet
• Drink plenty of water
• For those young Muslims who will be fasting, The Department of Health recommends drinking enough water prior to fasting to avoid dehydration.

Support/Guidance/Advice

1. Preparation leading up to Ramadan

 2. Routines during Ramadan/Exams

 3. Diet during Ramadan

• Typical household consumes a relatively larger amount of fried, fatty and salty foods during Ramadan – more samosas, pakoras, biryanis are on the menu!
• Raise awareness of the importance of hydration to maintain peak performance
• Consume fruits with high water content