Frequently Asked Questions
What age group do you take?
Students aged 11 years old and upwards. Mature students (over 18 years old) can also be accepted.
Why should we send our kids to Hijaz College?
At Hijaz College we have a 'family-type' atmosphere where students are trained to become upstanding good Muslim men. Combined with academic learning, the system is based upon 'Tarbiyyah' (character-building) and 'Taleem' (learning). The learning is a combination of modern sciences (Maths, Geography, Sciences, RS, ICT, Arabic, English Language & Literature) and Islamic Sciences (Fiqh, Hadith, Tafseer, (and their Usuls), Sarf, Nahv, Meerath, Quran and Science, Tasawuf, Aqeeda & Tarbiyyah).
What courses do you run?
Find out more about our courses
What time are classes held?
9.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. Monday to Friday and 9.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. on some Saturdays.
What are your term times?
We generally follow the term times of local schools. Our School term is typically 36 weeks per year and currently we will be closed over the month of Ramadan. Term runs from September till June with 2 week breaks in December/January and March/April for Winter and Spring respectively. Summer break is typically in July and August for 6-8 weeks. There may also be half-terms for 1 week duration. Each term is typically 8-14 weeks in duration and there are 3 terms per year. Please visit fees, term dates and scholarships
What items are required by new students?
7 white jubbas, 5 topees, black shoes, trainers, Hijaz Green jumper (available from specialised suppliers, blanket/quilt, bed sheet, pillow, green tracksuit, toiletries, stationery, (pens/pencils etc), lever arch files.
What are the fees?
Please find out more by visiting the fees, term dates and scholarships
Can we pay by installments?
Yes, payments can be made per term before it's commencement although all fees are to be collected in the first 6 months. For foreign students, all fees must be payable before an acceptance letter can be issued..
When can students go home?
Every third week after Jumma prayer and during the holidays. Students may go home after lessons on Saturdays if parents wish but they must return by Sunday by 8pm. All students are expected to return home during the summer breaks. For foreign students provision can be made to look after them during the long weekends and winter and spring breaks although a small charge will be made for this.
How often can parents contact their children?
We allow students their mobiles one day per week but do not encourage daily contact with parents as this becomes very difficulty to administer except in special cases. Parents are welcome to phone or email the school and we will endeavour to get back to them about any questions they may have, Parents are welcome to visit their children at weekends but we would request that they inform us in advance. If there are any serious issues, we inform parents straight away. Essentially, no news is good news.
What supervision is there in the evening after lessons etc?
There are House-parents on duty each evening supervised by our Housemaster.
What happens if a student becomes ill?
Arrangements are made to visit a local Doctor or accident and emergency at George Elliot Hospital in Nuneaton (approximately 15 minute drive).
Where do the students wash their clothes?
There is a laundry system provided for a small fee or students take their clothes for washing home at long weekends.
Where do students keep their money?
Students leave their money with our Receptionist who places the money in individual envelopes in the safe. Our Receptionist then issues students with monies 2-3 times per week. We recommend £1-2 per day as pocket money
Are students allowed to smoke?
Hijaz College maintains a strict no-smoking policy, although some students may lie to us on their application saying they don't when in fact they do. Such students are dealt with depending upon individual circumstances.
Are students allowed to go to town?
Only with permission of the Housemaster and in groups where a senior student accompanies them. Parents also have to agree in advance. Most trips are made to the local Aldi store at weekends which is a 1 hour walk there and back.
Are students allowed to order food from outside?
We don't encourage this but also don't forbid this providing it is before 10pm.
Are students allowed mobile phones, PSP's and TVs etc.?
No TVs are allowed to be kept by students. We allow mobile phones but only pay-as-you-go and cheap ones. These are issued for 1 day per week otherwise stored with the Housemaster at all other times.
We do not encourage laptops, PSP's and other expensive electronic gadgets and these are brought at their own risk. Hijaz College bears no responsibility in looking after these items or getting involved in issues regarding these.
Are there any discounts?
Our fees are as low as possible. If parents require professional teachers then we need to pay reasonable salaries, so sorry, no discounts except in very special, deserving cases. We survive totally on fees and donations and get no government assistance whatsoever. Hijaz College and Jamia Islamia are both registered charities and are non-profit making organisations.
Are there any refunds?
Our terms and conditions are very strict. We budget and spend in advance for students and hire staff accordingly, so regretfully no refunds can be given.
Can my child get good GCSE and A level grades?
This depends upon his ability, his attendances and his hard work. Teachers cannot guarantee good grades for all students no matter how intelligent parents think their children are, although at Hijaz College, we go out of our way to motivate and encourage students to work hard. Parents should ensure their children do their holiday homework and check their files and homework diaries at long weekends. We will do our best in term time. However, the reality is that if children want to be difficult or are lazy or are not interested in studies, it is unlikely that they will get good grades. Conversely, if students are motivated and hard working and intelligent, it is easier for them to get good grades.
Howe many reports do we get every year?
We produce one report in December at the end of Term 1 and one end-of-year report. Please note that these reports are factual and honest. For new students, the first years reports may contain poor grades in newer subjects. We request that parents work with us to improve the weaker subjects. In addition many new students will not be used to exams in all subjects so it will take them time to get used to the system and settle in.
How can I prepare my child for life at Hijaz?
We strongly recommend your child comes in for a formal application procedure, so that he may be familiarised with the surroundings and facilities and see for himself the way the school runs. We also ask that you teach him that staff at Hijaz play the role of third-parent. This helps students to settle into the structure of being taught by teachers and tutors in the day and supervised by house parents in the evening.
What if my son has little or no Islamic knowledge?
There is no minimum level of Arabic or Islamic knowledge required at entry for secondary school students. Hijaz College teaches foundation in all of these subjects. However, your child will cope better with the rigorous timetable if he already has a basic ability to read Arabic.
What if my son has had trouble settling in at other schools previously, can I still apply?
At Hijaz, we are pleased to consider every application based upon the potential we see in a student. In the past, we have taken a chance with students who have been excluded from previous schools due to bad behaviour, and moulded them into better behaved and hardworking students. Hijaz does not tolerate misbehaviour from students, and adheres to disciplinary procedures and mentoring schemes. This takes place within a family environment in order to successfully root out unruliness and instil wholesome virtues.
Do you hold ‘parents evenings?’
Yes, twice per year, parents are encouraged to meet the teachers and discuss their son's progress.
Do you help with education VISAS?
Hijaz College is a licensed institution at the UK Borders Agency (UKBA) and can issue CAS (Confirmation of acceptance for Studies) certificates to facilitate education visa applications. We have a number of students studying here with education visas from different countries. We cannot guarantee VISAs nor can we offer legal advice. However, we must be satisfied with such applications that they are genuine and serious before we progress any applications and full fees must be paid before any CAS certificates are issued. If students break any of the VISA rules and regulations then we are duty bound to inform the UKBA.
Do you accept students joining mid-year?
Yes, although parents must understand that the studies of these students may be affected and they may have to repeat a year.
Do you offer support lessons?
We can offer limited support lessons although if the student is seriously behind in a subject, these may have to be charged for and discussions will be held with parents.
What do students do in their free time?
Football, badminton, weights, sports, watch a film once per week, homework, computer games.
What are your discipline procedures?
These vary depending upon the offence and age of the student, but they include detentions, withdrawal of privileges, lines, Report Cards, Contracts, controlled isolation, public apologies, cleaning, litter-picking, fines, suspensions (on site or off-site) and expulsion. Conversely, merits are issued for good work and good behaviour.
Do you accept children with learning difficulties or Special Needs?
Unfortunately we have not the resources to accept children with these ailments. This includes children with hyperactivity unfortunately. However, if parents are willing to meet our full costs in looking after such children then we can consider this.
Are all your staff CRB checked?
Yes, with teachers and house-parents being checked via the enhanced procedure.
What are your beliefs?
We follow the group known as 'ahle-sunna wal jama'ah' and strictly follow the Holy Qur'an and teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (Sallalahu Alaihi Wasalam). We believe him to be the final Messenger (Sallalahu Alaihi Wasalam) and have love and respect for his family and companions may Allah be pleased with them all.