SEND & SEMH Islamic Education in Birmingham

Inclusive Islamic Learning Where Every Child Can Belong, Learn & Thrive

At An-Nissa Academy, we believe every child deserves the opportunity to access meaningful Islamic education in a way that recognises their individual strengths, needs and learning style.

Our SEND and SEMH Islamic learning provision has been developed to support children and young people who may find traditional classroom environments challenging or who benefit from a more personalised, structured, sensory and nurturing approach to learning.

We offer dedicated weekend SEND and SEMH classes onsite at our Birmingham academy, alongside an online learning option for families who require greater flexibility or whose child learns more successfully from home.

Our aim is not simply to help children complete work. We want them to develop a positive relationship with Islam, the Qur’an and learning while building confidence, independence and a genuine sense of belonging.

Who Is Our SEND & SEMH Provision For?

Our provision is designed to be inclusive of children with a wide range of additional learning needs and differences.

This may include children with:

Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC)
ADHD and attention or concentration difficulties
Dyslexia and literacy difficulties
Dyspraxia
Speech, language and communication needs
Developmental and learning difficulties
Sensory processing differences
Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs
Anxiety around learning or classroom environments
Emotional regulation difficulties
Low confidence or self-esteem
Behavioural needs linked to additional needs
Children who become overwhelmed in larger or highly stimulating classrooms
Children who simply require additional time, repetition, structure or individualised teaching

A child does not necessarily need a formal diagnosis to benefit from an adapted approach to learning.

We recognise that SEND presents differently in every child. Rather than expecting every learner to fit one teaching method, we aim to adapt our teaching so that learning becomes more accessible.

Weekend SEND & SEMH Classes Onsite in Birmingham

Dedicated Weekend Learning at An-Nissa Academy

Our onsite SEND and SEMH classes take place at weekends at our academy building in Birmingham.

An-Nissa Academy Birmingham
35 Crompton Road
Birmingham
B20 3QD

Weekend provision gives children the opportunity to learn within a supportive Islamic educational environment while benefiting from structured routines and adapted teaching methods.

Our onsite environment allows teachers to incorporate practical, visual, tactile and sensory resources that may not be possible within a conventional online lesson.

Children can participate in activities involving movement, objects, visual prompts, Arabic resources, sensory materials and interactive Islamic learning.

We particularly aim to create an environment that feels welcoming rather than overwhelming.

Online SEND Islamic Classes

We understand that attending an onsite setting is not suitable for every child.

For this reason, online SEND Islamic learning is also available.

Online provision can be particularly beneficial for children who:

Feel more comfortable learning from home
Experience anxiety in unfamiliar environments
Find travelling or transitions difficult
Need a quieter learning environment
Require greater flexibility
Live outside Birmingham
Benefit from shorter and more focused learning interactions

Teachers can adapt online sessions using visual prompts, interactive resources, repetition, screen-based activities, movement breaks and parent-supported learning where appropriate.

This means families can access our SEND-friendly Islamic education from Birmingham and across the UK.

Our Sensory Approach to Learning

Learning Through More Than Just Listening

Many children with SEND learn more effectively when information is presented through multiple senses.

Rather than relying solely on listening, reading and worksheets, our approach can incorporate visual, auditory, tactile, movement-based and practical learning experiences.

Sensory strategies are selected according to the individual learner and the activity being taught.

👀 Visual Learning

Visual information can help children understand instructions, remember information and anticipate what will happen next.

We may use:

Colour-coded Arabic letters
Arabic alphabet cards
Picture prompts
Flashcards
Visual timetables
First-and-then prompts
Islamic picture cards
Illustrated stories
Large-print resources
Whiteboards
Matching activities
Sequencing cards
Symbols and visual cues
Demonstrations
Progress charts

For example, rather than only verbally teaching the steps of Salah or Wudu, children may be given visual sequencing cards which they can arrange into the correct order.

👂 Auditory Learning

Islamic education naturally provides many opportunities for auditory learning.

Children may learn through:

Listening to Qur’an recitation
Repeating Arabic sounds
Teacher modelling
Call-and-response activities
Repetition of short Surahs
Du’a repetition
Nasheeds where appropriate
Rhythmic repetition
Sound recognition
Phonics-style Arabic letter recognition

When teaching Qur’an and Arabic, children can hear a sound, repeat it, identify it and then connect it to the written Arabic letter.

Repetition is used positively rather than assuming that every child should remember information after hearing it once.

✋ Tactile & Hands-On Learning

Some children understand concepts much more successfully when they can touch, build, move or manipulate something.

Our learning may therefore include:

Textured Arabic letters
Tracing Arabic letters
Magnetic letters
Sand or sensory letter tracing
Play-based learning resources
Matching cards
Sorting activities
Puzzles
Building activities
Manipulatives
Sensory trays
Practical demonstrations
Objects associated with Islamic learning

A child learning the Arabic alphabet, for example, may see the letter, hear its sound, trace its shape and physically match it to another representation of the same letter.

This multi-sensory process can help reinforce recognition and memory.

🖐️ Touch & Fine Motor Learning

Where appropriate, activities can also help develop fine motor skills alongside Islamic learning.

Children may practise:

Tracing
Colouring
Matching
Peg activities
Picking and sorting
Letter formation
Moving Arabic letter pieces
Sequencing cards
Using sensory writing surfaces

Learning becomes something children actively participate in rather than something they are simply expected to listen to.

🏃 Movement & Kinesthetic Learning

Some children find it difficult to remain seated for long periods.

Movement does not automatically mean a child is not learning.

Where appropriate, we incorporate movement into lessons through:

Movement breaks
Stand-and-match activities
Finding letters around the classroom
Practical Salah learning
Wudu demonstrations
Action-based Islamic learning
Moving between learning stations
Interactive games
Physical sequencing activities

This can be particularly helpful for learners who require opportunities to move in order to regulate attention and concentration.

Sensory Regulation & Calm Learning

Learning becomes much harder when a child is overwhelmed.

Our SEND approach therefore considers sensory regulation as part of successful learning.

Depending upon individual needs and the classroom environment, sensory support may include:

Sensory toys and fidget resources
Tactile resources
Calm activities
Movement opportunities
Reduced task length
Clear visual instructions
Predictable lesson structures
Breaking activities into smaller steps
Opportunities for short breaks
Positive reassurance
Reduced unnecessary pressure
Transition warnings
Repetition and processing time

Sensory tools are used purposefully to support regulation, engagement and access to learning.

Supporting SEMH Needs

Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs can significantly affect a child’s experience of education.

A child who appears disengaged, anxious, frustrated or reluctant to participate may be communicating an unmet need.

Our approach aims to understand the child before simply reacting to the behaviour.

We seek to provide:

Predictability

Clear routines can reduce uncertainty and anxiety.

Positive Relationships

Children are more likely to engage when they feel safe, respected and understood.

Manageable Learning

Large tasks can be broken into smaller, achievable steps.

Positive Reinforcement

We recognise effort and progress rather than focusing solely on mistakes.

Emotional Regulation

Children can be given appropriate opportunities to regulate before returning to learning.

Confidence Building

Success is celebrated so that children gradually develop confidence in their own abilities.

A Sense of Belonging

Children with SEND and SEMH needs should feel that Islamic education is for them too.

What Will Children Learn?

Our SEND provision can incorporate key areas of Islamic education according to the child’s age, ability and individual learning needs.

Qur’an & Qaidah

Learning may include:

Arabic letter recognition
Arabic letter sounds
Joining letters
Qaidah
Qur’an reading
Correct pronunciation
Basic Tajweed according to ability
Short Surah memorisation
Repetition and revision

Children can progress at an appropriate pace without unnecessary comparison with other learners.

Arabic Alphabet

Arabic learning can be highly sensory and interactive.

Children may learn through:

See it → Hear it → Say it → Touch it → Trace it → Match it → Remember it

Resources may include colourful Arabic letters, flashcards, textured letters, matching activities, tracing exercises, puzzles and interactive games.

Du’as & Surahs

Children can learn essential daily Du’as and short Surahs through:

Listening
Repetition
Visual prompts
Picture associations
Actions
Regular retrieval
Small achievable sections

Islamic Studies

Children can explore important Islamic knowledge including:

Allah and our beliefs
The Five Pillars of Islam
The Six Articles of Faith
Salah
Wudu
Ramadan
Islamic manners and Adab
Halal and Haram
Masjid etiquette
Du’as
Stories of the Prophets
Seerah of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ
Islamic character
Kindness
Honesty
Respect for parents
Gratitude
Helping others

Abstract concepts can be broken down into clear, concrete and age-appropriate learning experiences.

Stories of the Prophets

Stories can provide a powerful route into Islamic learning for children with additional needs.

Prophet stories may be taught through:

Visual storytelling
Story sequencing
Picture prompts
Role-based activities where appropriate
Questions and answers
Matching characters, places and events
Repetition
Practical activities

Children are encouraged to understand not only what happened, but the Islamic values and lessons we can learn from each story.

Practical Islamic Learning

Whenever appropriate, children are given opportunities to do rather than simply read about Islamic practices.

This may include practical learning of:

How to perform Wudu
The movements of Salah
Prayer positions
Masjid manners
Daily Du’as
Islamic greetings
Islamic etiquette

Practical experiences can make abstract information more meaningful and memorable.

Small Steps, Meaningful Progress

We recognise that progress looks different for every child.

For one learner, progress may mean completing a page independently.

Another, it may mean recognising three new Arabic letters.

Others, it may mean remaining engaged for an additional five minutes.

And for another child, the achievement may simply be walking into the classroom confidently and feeling safe enough to participate.

All of these can represent meaningful progress.

Our focus is on developing the individual learner rather than comparing children with one another.

Structured, Adapted Teaching

Where appropriate, our teachers may use strategies such as:

Shorter instructions
One instruction at a time
Chunking learning
Modelling before independent work
“I Do, We Do, You Do” teaching
Visual timetables
First-and-then instructions
Frequent retrieval and repetition
Additional processing time
Reduced written workload
Practical alternatives
Scaffolded activities
Positive reinforcement
Regular recap
Clear routines
Individual targets

These approaches can help reduce cognitive overload and make learning more accessible.

Working With Parents & Carers

Parents and carers understand their children exceptionally well, and effective SEND support benefits from communication between home and the academy.

When joining our provision, we encourage parents to share relevant information about their child’s learning needs.

This may include:

Areas of strength
Areas requiring support
Communication needs
Sensory preferences
Known triggers
Strategies that work successfully at home or school
Interests and motivators
Current educational targets
Relevant SEND plans or recommendations where parents wish to share them

This information can help us understand how best to support the learner.

An Islamic Environment That Celebrates Every Child

At An-Nissa Academy Birmingham, inclusion is rooted in our Islamic ethos.

Children should not feel that additional needs prevent them from belonging within Islamic education.

We want our learners to associate Qur’an and Islamic knowledge with encouragement, achievement, safety and belonging.

Our approach combines:

Islamic Education • SEND Support • SEMH Awareness • Sensory Learning • Adapted Teaching • Positive Relationships • Confidence Building

We celebrate strengths while providing support in areas children find more difficult.

Onsite Weekend & Online SEND Classes

Families can choose between:

🏫 Weekend Onsite SEND & SEMH Classes – Birmingham

Learn within our academy environment with access to sensory, visual, tactile and practical educational resources.

💻 Online SEND Islamic Learning

Flexible online learning for children who benefit from learning from home or who cannot attend our Birmingham premises.

Both options aim to provide accessible, engaging and meaningful Islamic education while recognising that no two children learn in exactly the same way.

Enquire About a SEND or SEMH Places

If your child requires additional support to access Qur’an, Arabic or Islamic Studies, we welcome enquiries from parents and carers.

We can discuss your child’s learning needs and the most appropriate available provision before enrolment.

An-Nissa Academy Birmingham

35 Crompton Road, Birmingham, B20 3QD

Telephone: 07453 968620
Email: info@an-nissaacademy.co.uk
Website: www.an-nissaacademy.co.uk

Weekend Onsite Classes | Online Learning Available

Every child. Every ability. Every step forward.

Helping children access Qur’an, Arabic and Islamic Studies through inclusive, sensory and supportive learning.

Click here to enrol today!!!