Lubavitch House School (Senior Girls): A Tight-Knit Faith Community with Distinctive Sixth Form Strength

In the heart of Stamford Hill, a neighbourhood rich with Orthodox Jewish families, Lubavitch House School has served generations since 1962 as a beacon for Jewish girls seeking an education rooted in Torah alongside rigorous secular learning. The school's Sixth Form performance is remarkable; students achieve results well above England averages at A-level, a testament to the calibre of teaching and the selective nature of progression to post-16 study. With Ofsted's recent Good rating and a commitment to the teachings of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, this is a school where Jewish identity permeates the curriculum and where girls learn to think critically about their place in society. It operates as an academy within the Lubavitch Multi-Academy Trust, serving approximately 125 students across secondary and sixth form.

Walking the corridors of Lubavitch Senior Girls' School reveals an environment where the pace is brisk and expectations are clear. Staff speak warmly of individual students by name, creating genuine personal connection within a structured framework. The school occupies purpose-built premises at 107-115 Stamford Hill, with facilities designed to accommodate both secular classrooms and dedicated spaces for Kodesh (religious studies) teaching.

Mrs Helen Freeman, who has led the school as Head of School, oversees a team committed to academic rigour balanced with pastoral sensitivity. The school's ethos, framed by the principles of Chabad Lubavitch, emphasises inclusivity as a core value, welcoming every girl as a precious soul to be reached and supported. Yet this welcoming stance sits alongside high academic expectations. Students are encouraged to develop independent moral thinking, engaging with Jewish teaching and contemporary issues simultaneously.

The Orthodox Jewish environment is evident in everyday practice. Friday afternoons bring school hours to a close early in observance of Shabbat (the Jewish sabbath). Assemblies feature regular prayer and reflection. The school calendar includes significant Jewish holidays alongside standard UK school terms. This is not a place where Jewish identity is an add-on; it is woven through every lesson, every assembly, and every interaction.

GCSE Performance

Lubavitch students achieve solid results at GCSE, with an average Attainment 8 score of 41.5 compared to the England average of 46. The Progress 8 measure, which tracks individual progress from primary school, stands at +0.02, indicating pupils make progress broadly in line with peers across England. Approximately 20% of students achieved grades 5 or above in the English Baccalaureate (a measure of progress in sciences, languages, maths, history and geography), compared to the national average of 41%.

The school ranks 2,423rd in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the middle 50% nationally. Locally within Hackney, the school ranks 16th among secondary schools. The GCSE cohort is small, and results reflect the broader demographics of the school's intake, which is predominantly from the Orthodox Jewish community.

A-Level Performance

The Sixth Form tells a different story. Students here achieve markedly higher results, with 67% attaining grades A*-B at A-level, well above the England average of 47%. In 2024, nine A-level students recorded results with 54% achieving A*-B and 85% achieving A*-C grades. This represents strong performance and reflects both the quality of teaching and the selective nature of Sixth Form entry, where external candidates compete for limited places and progression from Year 11 is not guaranteed.

The school ranks 303rd in England for A-level outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), placing it comfortably above England average in the top 25% of schools nationally. Locally, it ranks 2nd among Hackney's sixth forms. This differential between GCSE and A-level performance is striking and suggests the Sixth Form attracts motivated, capable students and provides excellent specialist A-level teaching.

The secular curriculum follows the national framework while integrating significant Jewish Studies provision. Teachers are described by the school as "high calibre, experienced" professionals, and inspection reports note that students learn in an environment where expectations are explicit and behaviour is calm. The curriculum is split intentionally between Chol (secular studies) and Kodesh (religious studies).

Secular subjects span the traditional academic core: English, Mathematics, Sciences, History, Citizenship, Modern Hebrew, Physical Education, and Religious Studies, with Art, Home Economics, Sewing, and Cooking also on offer. The Kodesh curriculum is comprehensive, including Chumash (Torah study), Dikduk (Hebrew language), Halacha (Jewish law), Jewish History, Tefilla (prayer), Chassidic teachings, and Pirkei Avos (Jewish ethics). Unlike many secular schools, Hebrew language and Jewish thought are not supplementary; they form a parallel academic stream with full rigour.

Staff expect students to engage in independent learning, particularly as they progress. Homework is set regularly and treated seriously. The school emphasises developing moral agency and critical thinking alongside subject mastery, believing that education should shape not just what students know but how they approach ethical decision-making.

A-level subject options include Mathematics, History, Religious Studies, Psychology, Economics, Biology, English, Biblical Hebrew, Business Studies, and Photography/Art. The school also offers vocational pathways including NVQ Childcare, Graphics Certificates, and practical qualifications in First Aid, creating flexibility for students with diverse career aspirations. Kodesh continues at A-level with intensive study in Tanya (foundational Chassidic philosophy), Chumash (Torah), Megilas (Biblical books), Halacha, and multiple Chassidic seminars.

The leaver destination data shows 5% progressing to university, 24% entering employment, with the remaining cohort distributed across other pathways. This reflects the school's distinct approach: for many families, progression to Seminary (Jewish educational institutions abroad) is the goal rather than UK university. The school actively encourages girls to "further their education at a Seminary for further Jewish education and training for leadership in the Jewish community." Many students continue at world-recognised Jewish seminaries.

For those pursuing UK higher education, the school website notes that students benefit from the breadth of A-level subject provision and the intensive Kodesh curriculum, which provides intellectual grounding. With Sixth Form sixth form cohorts remaining small and selective, those who progress are typically well-matched to their chosen paths.

Extra-curricular life at Lubavitch Senior Girls' reflects the school's commitment to developing well-rounded students who engage intellectually and spiritually. The school year includes regular assemblies featuring guest speakers, periodic production showcases, and participation in community service.

Chidon and Academic Competition

The school has structured competitions integrated throughout the calendar. Chidon, the Sara Rohr international championships in Jewish learning, sees Year 7-9 students studying the 613 mitzvos (Jewish commandments) intensively throughout the year. In 2022, the school celebrated as multiple girls reached Chidon finals, having studied an entire sefer (book) of Jewish law. This is rigorous academic competition in Jewish studies, with students spending hours mastering complex Talmudic reasoning.

Drama and Performance

The annual school production stands as a highlight. In 2023, the production was held over two consecutive days (26-27 February), taking place in the main hall. These productions involve significant cast numbers, requiring coordination of set design, lighting, choreography, and performance from a broad spectrum of the student body. The school treats theatre as both an artistic outlet and a space for developing presentation skills and theatrical discipline.

Visits and Enrichment

Students undertake meaningful trips aligned with curriculum and spiritual development. The Sixth Form engages with broader Jewish educational resources, including visits to the London School of Jewish Studies (LSJS) for specialist seminars and programming. Field trips serve both secular and religious purposes, enriching learning beyond the classroom.

Community and Service

The school maintains active engagement with Jewish charitable organisations. In recent years, students have participated in charity drives (including collections for Ukraine), volunteered with organisations like Shabbat Walk, and engaged in hair donation initiatives supporting cancer patients. A Supermarket Challenge involving Year 10 students teaches about budgeting and food insecurity in practical, meaningful ways.

Life Skills and Wellbeing

The Sixth Form explicitly incorporates practical skills including ICT training, pool lifeguarding qualifications, and First Aid certification, recognising that students need competencies beyond academic subjects. Health and wellbeing visits address nutrition and self-care. Emotional wellbeing is supported through the pastoral system and dedicated staff.

Sixth Form Leadership

As the oldest students in the school, Sixth Formers take active roles mentoring younger pupils and supporting extra-curricular activities, injecting enthusiasm and role-modelling across the community.

Lubavitch is oversubscribed at Year 7 entry. In recent admissions data, the school received 1.25 applications per place available. Oversubscription criteria prioritise looked-after children and those with Education, Health and Care Plans, followed by Orthodox Jewish children (whose applications must be accompanied by a completed, certified Supplementary Information Form confirming Jewish status and religious practice) and finally other applicants by distance from the school premises.

The Supplementary Information Form (SIF) requirement reflects the school's Jewish character and commitment to serving the Orthodox Jewish community. This is distinct from many state schools and means that admission involves both local authority coordination and school-specific documentation.

Sixth Form entry is highly competitive. The Sixth Form has a capacity of 30 students, with only 10 places reserved for external applicants not already on roll. This means the vast majority of Sixth Formers progress from Year 11, and external candidates face genuine selection. All external applicants complete an application form and provide a Rabbi or Principal reference, with interviews offered to discuss course options. The small cohort size (typically 15-20 students across both years) means close supervision and tailored support.

Admissions information and open event details are available via Hackney Learning Trust (the local authority) and the school website. Parents should contact the school directly for specific timelines for current academic years.

The school prioritises pastoral support through form tutors who work closely with small tutor groups. Sixth Form students have structured tutoring and mentoring, with dedicated pastoral care staff available. The school operates transparent safeguarding policies and has demonstrated its commitment to child protection.

Emotional wellbeing is addressed through assemblies focusing on mental health, visits from specialist speakers (such as nutritionists discussing healthy eating), and one-to-one support from trained staff. Students describe feeling known and cared for within the structure of the school day. Friday afternoon early closures (to allow observance of Shabbat) mean students return home for a day of rest and spiritual reflection, which provides psychological respite midweek.

The school's Catholic commitment to Orthodox Jewish life means staff and students share values and cultural assumptions, reducing alienation. At the same time, the school's stated inclusivity principle means girls from less observant backgrounds are welcomed and supported.

The school operates Monday through Thursday with full timetabled lessons. Friday lessons finish early (typically around 12:00pm) to allow students to observe Shabbat. The school week totals more than 32.5 hours instruction, with a typical week of 34.2 hours (varying by season due to Shabbat times). Transport links in Stamford Hill include buses serving the locality, and the area is accessible via the Northern Line (Stamford Hill station is nearby). Many students commute from across London and beyond, including areas like Golders Green, Edgware, and Central London, reflecting the school's appeal across the broader Orthodox Jewish community.

No specific information on school meals provision or breakfast clubs has been published on the website; families are advised to contact the school directly regarding these services.

Faith commitment expected. This is an Orthodox Jewish school rooted in Chabad Lubavitch teachings. The curriculum, calendar, and daily rhythms reflect Orthodox Jewish observance. Girls attend assemblies with prayer, study Jewish law and philosophy as core subjects, and the school closes early on Fridays for Shabbat. Families uncomfortable with religious integration throughout the school day should seek alternatives.

Sixth Form selectivity creates a two-tier system. While GCSE results are solid but unspectacular, Sixth Form performance is exceptional. This is because progression is not automatic; external candidates compete for places and GCSE underperformers may not progress. This can feel tough for families hoping for continued education at the school. Clarity about Sixth Form entry requirements is essential before making a secondary choice.

Small cohort sizes. Both the secondary and Sixth Form populations are small (approximately 125 secondary and 15-20 Sixth Formers). While this allows personalised attention, it means fewer subject choices at A-level compared to large schools, and friendship groups are tightly knit, which suits some students and creates pressure for others.

Geographically scattered intake. Many students travel over an hour each way to school, creating long days. Parents with time-constrained family schedules should factor commute time into decision-making.

Lubavitch House School is for girls whose families seek a tight integration of secular excellence and Jewish religious education. The Sixth Form in particular is exceptional, offering A-level results that compare to the best schools nationally. The school is not for families wanting a "casual" approach to faith; Jewishness is central to every aspect of school life. For Orthodox Jewish families in London and the surrounding regions, this school offers a rare combination: state-funded education with comprehensive religious study, rigorous academics, and a community rooted in shared values. Best suited to families for whom Orthodox Jewish observance is essential and who value education shaped by Torah principles alongside secular learning. The main consideration is the commitment to selective Sixth Form entry and the Orthodox Jewish environment, which requires careful reflection before applying.