ATL Business and Enterprise, Training and Learning Yorkshire UK

About ATL

OMN - Open Madrassah Network

This is an innovative pilot developed by ATL working in partnership with local Madaaris (Islamic supplementary schools) and Education Bradford to address low educational attainment and employment within the Pakistani and Bangladeshi communities, two of the most excluded and disadvantaged groups in the Bradford District.

OMN enjoys high level strategic support and commitment from Yorkshire Forward, the Regional Development Agency, Bradford MDC, Job Centre Plus, Bradford College, Bradford Council Of Mosques and the local schools. Over the course of next three years the OMN aims to make siginificant contributions in three key areas of Educational Attainment, Adult Learning and Access to Employment.

Educational Attainment

Working with Education Bradford to deliver numeracy and literacy booster classes to young children at Key stage II and III. Creating an opportunity for children to take additional GCSEs.

Adult Learning

Supported by Bradford College provide a large range of pre-employment learning and ESOL provision in each madrasah according to identified need / demand, particularly focusing on young people and women.

Access to Employment

In partnership with Job Centre Plus and Jobs@ to provide job workshops on a variety of themes targeting women and young people and the long term unemployed.

The OMN aims to reduce the skills and qualifications deficit in the target communities and increase the number of people entering the Labour market with better qualifications. It will also result in improved working relationships between mainstream schools, public sector agencies and the madaaris by introducing quality standards and help participating madaaris raise their capacity as third sector delivery agents.

How Will It Work?

OMN is a collaborative venture with a strong interest from several key stakeholders. The participating madaaris will become effective suppliers for Education Bradford, Job Centre Plus and Bradford College.

ATL will be responsible for delivering the Project with participating madaaris and local schools, guided by a high level Steering Group chaired by the leader of Bradford MDC with representatives from Yorkshire Forward, Job Centre Plus, Bradford College and Bradford Council Of Mosques .

Madaaris

Madaaris are important institutions in the Bradford District, embedded within their neighbourhoods and communities. They provide religious supplementary education to the overwhelming majority of Pakistani and Bangladeshi children. Their substantial resource base, ideal location and easy access for the communities, particularly young people, gives them a considerable comparative advantage in delivering educational , social and economic regeneration initiatives. OMN aims to develop their capacity enabling them to play a wider and productive role as agents of transformation.

Participating Madaaris