Located on a residential street in Stamford Hill, Tayyibah Girls' School offers a distinct proposition: a high-achieving, all-through education rooted deeply in Islamic values. Established in 1992, the school has grown from humble beginnings into a substantial institution educating girls from age 4 to 18. The school operates from a purpose-adapted site that buzzes with purposeful activity. The atmosphere is characterised by a palpable sense of shared values; the Islamic ethos is not an add-on but the lens through which education is delivered. Mrs Amreen Jameer and Maryam Al Sadik currently lead the school as Joint Headteachers.
The entrance to Tayyibah Girls' School sets the tone for what lies within. It is orderly, modest, and respectful. Visitors are greeted by students who demonstrate a quiet confidence. The school uniform, which includes the hijab and jilbab, is worn with pride, fostering a strong sense of identity and belonging among the pupils.
The school's ethos is built on the concept of Tarbiyah, a holistic approach to education that nurtures the child's character alongside their intellect. This is evident in the daily routine. Prayer is integrated into the school day, not as an interruption but as a grounding anchor. The Ofsted inspection in March 2022 rated the school Good, noting that pupils are "happy and safe" and that relationships between staff and pupils are "respectful and positive."
The buildings reflect the school's evolution. While they lack the sprawling grounds of countryside boarding schools, the space is used creatively. Classrooms are functional and focused. The lack of extensive outdoor space is mitigated by the use of nearby parks and facilities, a pragmatic approach typical of London urban schools.
Tayyibah Girls' School delivers strong academic outcomes, particularly at GCSE. In 2024, the school achieved an Attainment 8 score of 55.3. To place this in context, the England average for all schools is 45.9. This score indicates that, on average, pupils achieve a grade higher across eight key subjects than their peers nationally.
Ranked 1328th in England and 8th in Hackney for GCSE performance (FindMySchool ranking), the school performs in line with the middle 35% of all schools in England (national typical band). However, the raw attainment score suggests performance that is closer to the national high tier in terms of grades achieved.
A significant strength lies in the core subjects. The curriculum prioritises the English Baccalaureate (EBacc), ensuring a broad academic base that includes sciences, humanities, and languages.
England ranks and key metrics (where available)
GCSE 9–7
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% of students achieving grades 9-7
The quality of education at Tayyibah is defined by structured teaching. Teachers have strong subject knowledge and plan lessons that build knowledge sequentially. The 2022 Ofsted report highlighted that leaders have constructed a curriculum that is "broad and ambitious," matching the scope of the National Curriculum while integrating Islamic studies.
Reading is a specific priority. The school has invested in ensuring that pupils, particularly in the primary phase, develop fluency early. Phonics is taught systematically. In the secondary phase, girls are encouraged to read widely.
In the primary phase, the focus is on securing fundamentals in literacy and numeracy. Teachers use formal methods that ensure pupils are ready for the demands of the secondary curriculum. In the secondary phase, subject specialists take over. The sciences are taught with rigour.
Assessment is frequent. The school uses a robust system of tracking to identify any pupil falling behind. Interventions are swift, often involving additional support sessions. This "no pupil left behind" mentality contributes significantly to the school's positive value-added performance.
Tayyibah is unapologetically a faith school. The Islamic ethos permeates every aspect of school life. The day begins with Dua (supplication) and includes time for Salah (prayer). Islamic Studies is a core subject, taught alongside the secular curriculum. Girls learn Quranic Arabic and study the Seerah (life of the Prophet).
However, the school is careful to ensure this religious education does not isolate students. The Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) curriculum covers modern issues through an Islamic lens while respecting statutory guidance.
Upon completing their GCSEs, students have several pathways. The school has a sixth form provision, allowing girls to continue their education in a familiar environment. The sixth form offers a range of A-levels, primarily focusing on facilitating subjects that open doors to university.
For those who choose to leave, destinations include local sixth form colleges and grammar school sixth forms in the wider London area.
Admission to Tayyibah Girls' School is by application directly to the school. As an independent school, it sits outside the local authority coordinated admissions process.
Girls are admitted in the September following their fourth birthday. The process involves an application form and an interview with parents. The school looks for families who are supportive of the school's ethos.
Entry at Year 7 involves an assessment in English and Mathematics to gauge academic potential. The school ensures pupils can access the curriculum. Demand for places often exceeds supply.
Occasional vacancies do arise in other year groups. Families moving into the area should contact the school office directly to enquire about availability.
Pastoral care is a strength, underpinned by the close-knit nature of the school community. Class sizes are relatively small, ensuring that teachers know every girl well. The form tutor is the first point of contact and plays a pivotal role in the student's daily life.
The school's behaviour policy is based on positive reinforcement and Islamic principles of Adab (etiquette). Bullying is rare and dealt with firmly when it occurs. The Ofsted report noted that pupils feel safe and know who to talk to if they have concerns.
While the school focuses heavily on academic and spiritual development, extracurricular opportunities exist to broaden students' horizons.
The extracurricular programme is modest but meaningful. Options often include arts and creativity clubs, such as sewing or calligraphy, alongside academic enrichment in science and debating. The school has a strong tradition of charity work; students regularly organise fundraising events for local and international causes.
Educational visits are integrated into the curriculum. Primary pupils visit local museums and farms. Secondary students undertake field trips relevant to their GCSE studies, such as Geography fieldwork.
Tayyibah Girls' School is an independent school, and fees are payable.
As of the most recent official data (2022), fees were approximately £3,240 per year. Families should anticipate that current fees for the 2025/2026 academic year may be higher due to inflation. This fee level is significantly lower than the London average for independent schools, reflecting the school's community ethos.
The school strives to be accessible. While large-scale bursary funds like those in wealthy public schools are not available, there is often some flexibility or support for families in genuine crisis, handled on a case-by-case basis. Parents should not assume automatic fee remission.
*Bursaries may be available for eligible families.
Basis: per year
The school day typically runs from 8:30am to 3:30pm, with Fridays often finishing earlier for prayers.
Located in Stamford Hill, the school is well-served by public transport. Stoke Newington and Stamford Hill overground stations are within walking distance, and numerous bus routes serve the area.
Limited Facilities: Compared to high-fee independent schools or newly built state academies, the facilities here are modest. Families are choosing the school for its ethos and teaching quality, not its infrastructure.
Faith Integration: The Islamic ethos is all-encompassing. This is a significant positive for families seeking it, but it requires total buy-in from parents.
Academic Focus: The curriculum is traditional. While this produces strong results in core subjects, students with a passion for niche creative subjects might find options more limited than in a large comprehensive school.
Tayyibah Girls' School is a testament to the power of shared values and high expectations. It offers a protective, nurturing, and ambitious environment where girls achieve results significantly above the national average. It is best suited to Muslim families in Hackney who want a high-performing academic education seamlessly integrated with their faith, without the prohibitive price tag of the traditional private sector.
Yes. The school was rated Good by Ofsted in March 2022. Inspectors praised the broad curriculum and the respectful behaviour of pupils. Academically, the school performs well above the national average at GCSE.
Fees were recorded as approximately £3,240 per annum in 2022. Parents should contact the school directly for the confirmed 2025/2026 schedule, as this figure is subject to change.
The school is not academically selective in the same way as a grammar school, but it does assess pupils on entry to ensure they can access the curriculum. Demand for places is high.
The school does not strictly restrict admission to Muslims, but the ethos is explicitly Islamic. All students follow the religious studies curriculum and adhere to the uniform policy.
*Bursaries may be available for eligible families.
Basis: per year
Get in touch with the school directly
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