Barnet Hill Academy to become first state-funded Islamic faith school in September 2026

Barnet Council will take over Barnet Hill Academy in West Hendon from September 2026, converting the 20-year-old independent Islamic faith school into the borough’s first state-funded school of its kind. The decision, signed off by John Anthony, the council’s executive director of children’s services, removes fees for pupils aged four to eleven.

The school, located on Montagu Road, has operated as a fee-paying institution since its founding. The council stated the change will make education accessible to more Muslim families in Barnet, where 47,700 residents identified as Muslim in the 2021 Census, representing 12% of the population.

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Council cites demand for faith-based education

Barnet Council said the move responds to "a clear and evidenced demand from residents" for faith-based education. A council report noted that while the borough’s state-funded schools include Church of England, Roman Catholic and Jewish faith schools, no Islamic faith school has previously been part of the local authority’s provision.

The council added that the current fee-paying model has restricted access to families able to afford the costs. As a voluntary-aided school, Barnet Hill Academy will receive funding from the council, the Department for Education and its governing body, while maintaining its Islamic ethos.

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Financial concerns and future growth

Audited financial statements for the last three years showed the school had struggled to balance its books, with income not consistently meeting expenditure. To address this, the council secured a deed of indemnity from Barnet Hill Academy, covering liabilities arising before 1 September 2026, when public funding begins.

The council described pupil number forecasts as "ambitious", projecting growth from the 2026/27 academic year to around 400 pupils by the early 2030s. The nursery’s operating arrangements and capacity will remain unchanged, the council confirmed.

Residents back the proposal

A statutory four-week representation period ran from 8 May to 5 June 2025. The council reported that all respondents expressed "unequivocal support" for the conversion. No objections were recorded during the consultation.

The council stated the change will "better reflect the borough’s demographic profile" and "promote equality of opportunity" by aligning school provision with the needs of the local Muslim community.

What happens next

Barnet Hill Academy will formally transition to voluntary-aided status on 1 September 2026. The council has not announced any further public consultations or changes to the school’s admissions policy. Parents seeking places for the 2026/27 academic year should contact the school directly for details.