Birley Spa Primary School Pupils Explore Faith and Community at Madina Masjid Mosque

As part of our Religious Education curriculum, Year 5 pupils at Birley Spa Primary Academy have been learning about Islam, places of worship, and religious practices.

To bring this learning to life, we recently arranged a visit to Madina Masjid Mosque in Sheffield, giving pupils the opportunity to experience first-hand what they have been studying in class.

Exploring the similarities and differences between faiths

The visit aimed to deepen pupils’ understanding of the Islamic faith, its traditions, and the role of the mosque within the community. Through exploring worship, architecture, and daily practices, pupils were encouraged to appreciate both the similarities and differences between faith communities.

Improving understanding and respect of the community

Our children returned with:

A greater respect and appreciation for diversity in our community.
First-hand insight into how Muslims come together to worship and support one another.
A stronger understanding of tolerance, empathy, and mutual respect — values we promote throughout our school.

A reflection of our school values

The pupils were curious, respectful, and fully engaged throughout the visit, asking thoughtful questions about the mosque and Islamic practices. Their conduct reflected our school values of aspiration, empathy, and tolerance, and reinforced the British Values of mutual respect and understanding.

Here's what our teachers and families had to say about the visit

“This visit perfectly embodied our commitment to helping pupils grow into respectful, open-minded citizens. It was a privilege to watch the children engage so thoughtfully and respectfully. Their questions showed curiosity, care and respect.” — RE Subject Leader

“Really informative visit, where lots of new information was shared about how a mosque is used through discussion and demonstrations.” — Grandparent

The children were relaxed and made to feel welcome throughout the visit. Mosque Leader Zahid was fantastic with the children.” – Parent

“I was incredibly proud of the children’s conduct and how they represented Birley Spa! They were role models throughout.” — Parent

“The children loved showing curiosity by asking questions and linking prior learning to new knowledge. The visit made strong links to British Values and showed empathy, tolerance, and compassion.” — Class Teacher

This enriching experience highlights our commitment to inclusive education, pupil wellbeing, and preparing children to thrive in a diverse world.