Our History
Read Academy is an all through inclusive school which welcomes boys and girls aged 3 to 16. We are a highly inclusive school and are committed to excellence in our provision of academic and developmental pathways that meet each students’ interests, abilities and needs.
Founding & Location
Established in 2013, Read Academy began as a one-form, co-educational Muslim independent school.The school is located on the historic Mansfield Road site, originally home to Cranbrook School (founded in 1896), a location acquired by Cognita in 2007 and now developed with modern, outstanding facilities.
Name & Ethos
The name "READ" comes from the very first revealed command in the Qur’an:
“Read in the name of your Lord…” (Qur’an 96:1)
And the surrounding verses—symbolizing the school’s mission to root academic excellence in spiritual purpose.
The school integrates the National Curriculum within a robust Islamic ethos, aiming to nurture well-rounded learners who are both academically and spiritually grounded.
Welcome from Headship
Mr. Gulam Abbas Hussain
Headteacher
السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته
Thank you for your interest in Read Academy. It is always rewarding to greet parents who have recognized the need to provide their children with a high standard of academic education in unison with a high standard of Islamic education. Read Academy is a single form entry co-educational Muslim-faith independent school. Our school is named READ in honour of the very first revelation upon the Holy Prophet (blessings and peace be upon him) which was the commandment to: ‘Read!’. This revelation itself speaks volumes of the emphasis that Islam places on education. Read Academy’s philosophy is rooted in safety and wellbeing with everyone fostering a love of learning, academic excellence, character development fortified with a strong moral compass, a genuine respect for others and the world we live in and to prepare our pupils for the future through leadership and 21st century skills. Students are equipped with social, interpersonal, metacognitive, critical thinking, vocational and technical skills – for an international world with a diverse culture that will demand these competencies and attributes of them.
جزاكم الله خير
Mrs Hanila Ali Syed
Deputy Headteacher
Dear Parents and Guardians,
السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته
(May peace, mercy and Allah’s blessings be upon you)
We thank Allah for His mercy and guidance in establishing Read Academy. Since starting in 2013 with just two year groups, the school has grown to become the first all-through Islamic faith-based independent school in Redbridge, rated ‘Good’ by OFSTED in all areas.Our vision is to nurture today’s Readers into tomorrow’s Leaders by helping every child discover their unique talents and achieve academic excellence while holding firmly to Islamic values. We aim to provide positive experiences, confidence, and a strong moral compass based on the Qur’an and Sunnah.If you seek a school that combines high academic standards with Islamic principles and works in partnership with parents, Read Academy is the right choice. We invite you to visit and experience the warm, vibrant, and faith-driven environment we offer.
جزاكم الله خير
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