Al-Faisal College Campbelltown campus makes bid to increase student numbers

A southwest Sydney Islamic school that started with six students in 2006 has lodged plans to increase its capacity to 900 in an effort to keep up with soaring demand.

Al-Faisal College Campbelltown Islamic school at Minto has launched a bid to increase its student capacity by more than 30 per cent and take student numbers to 900.

The independent co-educational Islamic school lodged plans with Campbelltown Council in November to boost the number of students from 600 to 900.

The application also seeks to construct a designated staff carparking area at 20-22 Kitson Place.

The 2020 annual report for Al-Faisal College said the Campbelltown campus had recorded a significant increase in students’ enrolment rising from six students in 2006 at the Iqra Grammar College to 660 in 2020.

“The problem the college faces is not recruiting students but in selecting them from the large numbers who wish to enrol at the school,” the report read.

Al Faisal College is being flooded with applicants.

“The majority of the students are from low socio-economic backgrounds and so it is a credit to the school to see these students excel in their school work and contribute positively to the Australian society.

“Since 2013, the school has recorded results well above the national average in the primary school in many areas tested in NAPLAN.”

Documents submitted to the council reveal there are 660 students and 38 full-time equivalent staff members at the school.

In 2014, the council rejected a separate bid to increase the student population at the Benham Rd site from 250 to 600 due to space and traffic concerns.

However the refusal was later overturned by the Land and Environment Court in 2015, which rejected the thought that the school was not equipped for expansion.

The development application is on public exhibition and can be viewed until February 25.