A small independent primary in Heston, Tarbiyyah Primary School combines a mainstream primary curriculum with a clear Islamic ethos, including Arabic and Qur’aan alongside the usual subjects. The most recent Ofsted inspection (30 January to 01 February 2024) judged the school Good overall, with Behaviour and attitudes and Personal development both Outstanding.
The age range is 3 to 11, with nursery provision and a published capacity of 170 pupils. If you are comparing smaller independents locally, this is the kind of setting where families often value the sense of structure and consistency, and where children can be known well across the whole school.
The tone set in the 2024 inspection is clear, pupils are described as happy and safe, and older pupils help younger ones understand routines and expectations. That matters in a small school, because culture is felt quickly. In practice, it can mean calmer transitions between lessons, clearer expectations at breaktime, and fewer behaviour issues escalating before staff can respond.
There is also a strong “contribution” thread running through how the school describes itself, and how the inspection captures pupils’ lived experience. Pupils are encouraged to take responsibility, share ideas to improve the school, and participate in projects that connect beyond the classroom. This tends to suit children who respond well to a clear moral framework and explicit expectations around conduct.
For families who want outdoor learning in the mix, the school runs Forest School sessions as part of its wider offer, framed as learning through play, exploration and direct experience in a natural environment. The benefit is not just “fresh air”, it is often the way outdoor learning can unlock confidence for children who learn best by doing, talking and experimenting rather than sitting still.
Leadership is presented prominently on the school website, with Lubna Khan listed as Head Teacher (also shown as Mrs Lubna Khan in official records). The public information reviewed did not set out an appointment date, so families who want leadership timeline context should ask directly when visiting or speaking to the office.
This review does not include a full set of Key Stage 2 performance measures, because the available results for this school does not present them, and independent schools often report outcomes differently to state primaries. A more useful guide here is how learning is described and verified through external inspection, and what that implies for day-to-day standards.
The 2024 inspection describes high expectations for pupils’ achievement, and notes that leaders and staff frequently check how well pupils learn and use that information to plan next steps, with pupils typically building secure subject knowledge. That is the sort of “engine room” detail parents should look for in a small school, because it suggests routine monitoring rather than relying on end-of-year tests to spot gaps.
One specific academic strength called out is reading. Reading is given high priority, pupils have many opportunities to read and listen to stories, phonics is taught daily from Reception, and books sent home are closely matched to the phonics pupils know. For families with younger children, this is meaningful because consistent phonics delivery and well-matched books are strongly associated with earlier fluency and fewer confidence dips in Key Stage 1.
Tarbiyyah frames itself as a school that aims to prepare children for life in modern British society while maintaining a clear Islamic ethos. The curriculum offer on the site includes the full range of primary subjects, plus Arabic and Qur’aan, which will be a deciding factor for many families seeking integrated faith-based learning rather than “after school” add-ons.
Inspection evidence also points to breadth and sequencing. Pupils study a broad and ambitious curriculum, with subject content sequenced so that pupils build knowledge from the early years onwards, and teaching is described as effectively adapted to meet pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities.
A key improvement point is worth understanding because it is specific, practical, and relevant across subjects. The inspection says that sometimes teaching does not ensure pupils know and remember the most important vocabulary they will need for future learning, and that this should be made explicit routinely, with support for recall over time. For parents, this is less about “word lists” and more about whether subject language is revisited often enough for children to use it confidently in writing, problem solving, and explanations.
For an independent primary that ends at age 11, the key question is usually transition to secondary. The school is located in Hounslow (Heston), so families commonly explore a mix of local state secondaries, selective routes where relevant, and independent options depending on priorities and budget.
The school’s website materials reviewed here focus more on primary experience and admissions than on named destination schools or published transition outcomes, so families who care strongly about destination patterns should ask for recent examples when visiting or speaking to the office.
Admissions are handled directly by the school rather than via the local authority coordinated process used for state primaries. The published process is straightforward: families submit an application form, and if places are available the school contacts parents for an interview; if not, children are placed on a waiting list.
The school also publishes its admission priorities. Priority is given to siblings of children already enrolled, children of staff, and families who are committed to the aims and objectives of the school and can fit with its culture and ways of working. In an oversubscribed small setting, this sort of prioritisation tends to mean that early enquiry and clarity about fit matters.
Nursery admissions have more structure in the published information. The school describes three intake points during the academic year, with interview periods beginning in February for September intake, October for January intake, and January for April intake. Importantly, the school also states that nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place, and parents must reapply for Reception.
Open days are referenced as being held annually during the summer term, with families directed to look out for exact dates on the website. Parents trying to understand realistic chances should use FindMySchool’s Map Search to sense-check travel time and daily logistics, then confirm availability and timelines with the school office before relying on a place.
Personal development is a major strength in the most recent inspection outcomes, which aligns with the school’s emphasis on character and conduct. The inspection describes pupils behaving maturely and responsibly, taking pride in helping each other, and having opportunities to talk about feelings and ways to maintain a healthy mind through the personal, social and health education programme.
There are also examples of structured peer support and pupil voice. The inspection mentions a “pupil buddy” approach and sessions described as “hot chocolate and a chat”, creating an accessible format for children to raise concerns or discuss problems. This can be particularly helpful for pupils who are less likely to seek out adult support directly.
The report also stated that safeguarding arrangements are effective.
The school provides a mix of clubs and pupil-led activities, and the published information is unusually specific for a small primary. Current after-school club examples include Debating Club for Years 3 to 6, Art Club for Years 2 to 6, Cooking Club spanning Reception to Year 6, Origami Club for Years 2 to 6, and a focused SATS Club for Year 6.
Sports and enrichment extend beyond the standard “football and netball” staples. The school website also references Tarbiyyah Football Academy and Self Defence Club. The practical implication for families is choice, children can find something that fits their temperament, whether they prefer performance, competition, making, or structured academic practice.
Forest School adds a different texture to the week. The school describes this as an outdoor educational approach where children learn through play and exploration in a natural environment. For some pupils, especially in early years and Key Stage 1, this can translate into better engagement and stronger language development through shared tasks and talk.
As an independent school, Tarbiyyah charges fees. The school’s fees page publishes Key Stage 1 and 2 fees for September 2024 to 2025 as £3,700 per year, with a note about VAT applying to term 1 and term 2. The same page states that in early years, children under five may be eligible for 15 hours funding, or potentially 30 hours depending on eligibility, and that standard school fees apply for remaining hours in full-time nursery or Reception.
*Bursaries may be available for eligible families.
Basis: per year
Published timing information indicates the school gates open at 8:15am, with children taken in by 8:25am. Nursery session times are set out, and Reception is shown as 8:25am to 3:00pm in the same published table.
The published academic calendar for 2025 to 2026 flags term dates, inset days, and religious observance breaks, including Ramadan and Eid holidays, which is useful for family planning.
Reception is not guaranteed from nursery. Nursery children must reapply for Reception, and places are not automatic. Families relying on continuity should treat this as a genuine decision point.
Vocabulary and long-term recall. The inspection’s improvement point is specific, teaching should make key vocabulary explicit routinely so pupils remember it over time. Ask how this is being embedded across subjects, not just in English.
Small-school fit. Smaller settings can be brilliant for consistency, but they can feel narrow for some children. It is worth checking how the school ensures breadth, challenge, and varied peer groups as pupils move into Key Stage 2.
Tarbiyyah Primary School offers a small independent primary experience with a clear Islamic ethos, a broad curriculum including Arabic and Qur’aan, and a strong personal development profile. Behaviour and personal development outcomes from the most recent inspection support the picture of a structured, positive environment for pupils.
Best suited to families who want an integrated faith-based education in a smaller setting, and who value explicit expectations around conduct alongside mainstream academic ambition. The key practical work is confirming fees for the year you need, and understanding the nursery to Reception transition, because it is not automatic.
Tarbiyyah Primary School was judged Good overall at its most recent Ofsted inspection (30 January to 01 February 2024), with Behaviour and attitudes and Personal development both judged Outstanding.
The school publishes Key Stage 1 and 2 fees for September 2024 to 2025 as £3,700 per year, with a note about VAT applying to term 1 and term 2. For nursery and Reception, the school notes early years funding may apply for eligible children, and fees apply for remaining hours. Families should confirm the current year’s fees directly with the school.
Applications are made directly to the school. If places are available, families are contacted for an interview; otherwise children are placed on a waiting list. Nursery has three intake points, with interview periods starting in February for September intake, October for January intake, and January for April intake. Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place, and parents must reapply for Reception.
Examples published by the school include Debating Club (Years 3 to 6), Art Club (Years 2 to 6), Cooking Club (Reception to Year 6), Origami Club (Years 2 to 6), and SATS Club (Year 6), alongside activities such as Forest School sessions.
Get in touch with the school directly
Disclaimer
Information on this page is compiled, analysed, and processed from publicly available sources including the Department for Education (DfE), Ofsted, the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI), the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, Freedom of Information (FOI) requests, and official school websites.
Our rankings, metrics, and assessments are derived from this data using our own methodologies and represent our independent analysis rather than official standings.
While we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee that all information is current, complete, or error-free. Data may change without notice, and schools and/or local authorities should be contacted directly to verify any details before making decisions.
FindMySchool does not endorse any particular school, and rankings reflect specific metrics rather than overall quality.
To the fullest extent permitted by law, we accept no liability for any loss or damage arising from reliance on information provided. If you believe any information is inaccurate, please contact us.
