RAMADAN 2025 AT FAIRLIGHT

This guide about Ramadan seeks to encourage as an opportunity to promote the understanding of different faiths in schools and for teaching pupils about Islam, to foster diversity and engagement and to support schools in recognising and building upon the essence of Ramadan without compromising the normality of everyday school life.

This has been written supported by the children at Fairlight.

Owing to the lunar calendar, Ramadan falls approximately 11 days earlier each year, and will fall during the peak periods of exams and the summer months in the coming years.

This guide hopes to support in acknowledging pupils’ needs and to contribute to nurturing good relations, and promoting understanding between different groups.

This guide outlines considerations that have taken during the month of Ramadan, along with suggestions at the end on features of best practice. 

What is Ramadan?

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic (lunar) calendar; Muslims believe this was the month during which the Qur’an was first revealed.

Muslims approach Ramadan with enthusiasm and it is customary for Muslims to offer greetings to one another on its arrival.

What is fasting? 

Fasting is an act of worship of great spiritual, moral and social significance to Muslims.

It involves completely abstaining from drinking, eating, smoking and sexual activity; from dawn to sunset - for the whole month.

The spiritual and moral dimension of fasting involves God-consciousness, exercising self-control, patience, appreciation of food & drink, empathy towards the poor, having appropriate dealings with others, and giving charity.

Ramadan is therefore a time when Muslims try to spend more time in prayer and religious contemplation. Muslims also regularly offer extra prayers every night during the month of Ramadan, called Taraweeh prayers.

Many Muslims, including some children, will stay up late saying prayers and reading the Qur’an.

Who fasts during Ramadan?

Fasting is prescribed for all healthy males and females once they attain the age of puberty (this is relative based on the physiological and psychological make-up of each individual, and is usually agreed upon by the family, often with advice from their local Imam).

However, it is a common practice for Muslim children to begin fasting before they attain puberty, to become progressively accustomed to the act.

Although fasting for the entire month is not prescribed until the age of puberty, many children aged 10 and 11 (years 5 & 6) may be seen observing the daily fast for the entire month.

Some children may be encouraged by their parents to fast only on certain days of the week, especially the weekends.

It is also important to be aware that young children are more likely to fast when Ramadan falls in the winter months, when the days are shorter, and the climate is cooler. 

There are certain circumstances and conditions in which Muslims are exempt from fasting, which include menstruating women, those pregnant or breast-feeding, those for whom fasting has a detrimental effect on their overall well-being, those who depend on medication for their health, and a traveller facing hardship due to fasting.

Any missed fasting days are made up by fasting on days outside of Ramadan, or feeding the poor if one is unable to fast.

If your child is fasting we would ask that you make the teacher aware.

You may want to provide them with a drink or snack or packed lunch should they need to break the fast as they are exploring and learning about this.

This would prevent us contacting you to come in to school. 

This approach was recommended to us by families previously.  

What is Eid ul-Fitr?

The day after the month of Ramadan marks the celebration of Eid ul-Fitr.

It is one of the two yearly ‘Eid’ celebrations for Muslims, commonly marked through exchanging gifts and visiting friends & relatives on this joyous occasion. 

This day is also accompanied by a congregational prayer at the mosque, held in the morning, giving Muslims the opportunity to benefit from a short reminder, along with embracing the amicable community spirit of the day.

Muslims generally cannot be specific in advance regarding its date - as it is generally dependent on visual moon sighting. 

Supporting pupils during Ramadan

There are various levels and areas of support that Fairlight can provide pupils during the month of Ramadan.

Pupil health during Ramadan

Schools may need to confirm which pupils will be fasting with parents and carers in advance. SEE ABOVE.

Schools are encouraged to liaise with parents to reduce any subsequent impact on their children’s academic performance during the day, and to perhaps offer guidance on the best way to avoid dehydration, eating nutritious food, getting appropriate rest periods, organising appropriately timed revision sessions and extra-curricular activities.

Anyone needing regular medication during fasting hours is exempt from fasting, and families will likely seek guidance from local Muslim organisations on specific issues where necessary.

Families and students will normally look to make a decision thereafter on whether fasting would be manageable in such circumstances.

The school should be aware of this.

Of note, a sensitive approach is advised when asking girls if they are fasting as it may cause some embarrassment if on their period.

Prayers during Ramadan

At Fairlight we have set aside a quiet space for personal reflection, prayer, or worship, for pupils with any spiritual or religious beliefs.

This will help support the spiritual, moral and social aspects of their development.

Since during the month of Ramadan fasting pupils have plenty of spare time during lunch break, we would encourage use of this space, particularly for mid-afternoon ‘Dhuhr’ prayers (during lunch break).

This prayer changes its time to reflect different seasons.

In winter-time this is likely to be between 12.00pm - 1.00 pm, whilst in summer it is likely to be between 1.00 pm - 2.00 pm. 

Students will also typically need to use washing facilities to prepare for the prayer, known as ablution.

This includes washing the visible parts of the body like the face, hands and feet.

We are sympathetic to pupils' desire to offer prayers at prescribed times.

This opportunity for offering prayers during school time is also available throughout the year. 

Physical Education during Ramadan

Whilst the discipline and the challenge of fasting is to continue with the normality of everyday life, staff should exercise a degree of understanding, by encouraging pupils to avoid excessive exertion in Physical Education to prevent dehydration.

Strenuous activity during fasting may make some children feel tired or drowsy, or possibly develop headaches due to dehydration. 

Some pupils may need to reduce physical exercises during fasting while others may wish to continue as normal, according to their tolerance levels.

We would however still expect to see children doing PE.

Swimming during Ramadan 

Participation in swimming is an acceptable activity whilst fasting.

The potential for swallowing water may be an issue for some, while others will deem accidental water as acceptable.

We take an understanding approach where an activity might be construed by the pupil or their parents as breaking the fast, and would ask that parents contact us to discuss this.

Absence from School

The day after the month of Ramadan marks the celebration of the Islamic holiday of Eid ul-Fitr.

As previously mentioned, Muslims cannot be specific in advance regarding its date - as it is generally dependent on visual moon sighting.

We would ask parents to contact us in advance should they wish to celebrate this day together.

KEY ACTIONS

• Space and provision for prayers, rest and reflection during Ramadan.
• Provision of alternative arrangements relating to physical activities, examinations and pupil absence to minimise impact on pupil performance during Ramadan.
• Communication opportunities with parents to clarify concerns and areas of support- let us know.