Six-year-old Ark Tindal pupil awarded with prestigious bravery award

Friday 5th December 2014

A courageous six-year-old pupil from Ark Tindal Primary Academy has received a prestigious award – after facing down burglars when they broke into the family home.

Muhammed Ali was presented with the Alan Henning Youth Award by West Midlands Police after the encounter, in which he showed huge bravery by staying with his mother and baby brother during the break-in.

Not only was Muhammed the first member of the family to notice the burglars as they broke into the house, he also warned his mother, calmly advised her to give the thieves what they wanted and stood up to the group directly.

Named after the humanitarian aid worker who was killed by ISIS in October, the Alan Henning Youth Awards celebrate young ‘community heroes’ from Balsall Heath, where Henning lived and where Ark Tindal is based.

Shabnam Kanani, Family Support Worker at Ark Tindal, said: "Ark Tindal is proud to have a pupil who has been extremely courageous during this emotionally and challenging ordeal, he is a true hero and an inspiration to other pupils, and parents."

Muhammed’s mother, Rifat, said: "Ark Tindal Primary Academy have been very supportive to me, my son and extended family during and after the break-in.”