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Welcome to Barnet Hill Academy. An independent Islamic faith school
based in the London Borough of Barnet for pupils aged between 3-11

Leadership Team

Shuayb Patel	Headteacher	I graduated from one of the oldest Islamic seminaries in the UK; the Institute of Islamic Education, where I studied Islamic sciences. I've been the ImÄm at Hendon Mosque & Islamic Centre since January 2009. I am committed to helping our community thrive, and I have attained various qualifications such as Counselling, Mental Health and Safeguarding Certificates to further support the community. In addition, I have also acquired the title of CEOP Ambassador. At BHA I helped lay the foundations of a reflective pastoral structure, where pupils are encouraged to reflect on character and take responsibility for their actions and I continue to lead on this in my capacity as Headteacher. I completed my National Professional Qualification for Senior Leaders (NPQSL) in 2022.
Moni Choudhury	Assistant Headteacher - EYFS & KS1 Pastoral	My Level 5 Early Years qualification and extensive experience over eight years as an EY Practitioner have significantly enhanced my ability to positively influence the learning environment. Working closely with young children has deepened my understanding of their needs and enabled me to make meaningful contributions to their educational experiences.
Uzma Qureshi	Assistant Headteacher - Curriculum & KS2 Pastoral	After completing a BSc in Biomedical Sciences from Kingâ€™s College London, I pursued a PGCE in Secondary Science at the Institute of Education, London. I began my teaching career at an Islamic school in London, serving as the Year 5 class teacher. For 7 years, I had the privilege of working at Barnet Hill Academy (BHA), where I took on multiple roles, including class teacher in KS1 and KS2, Enrichment Coordinator, and subject leads for various subjects. During this time, I also completed my NPQ in Leading Teaching. Seeking further professional growth, I transitioned to a one-form entry state school in West London as a KS2 class teacher and a lead in two subject areas. Now, I have returned to BHA as Assistant Head Teacher and KS2 Pastoral Lead while undertaking my NPQ in Senior Leadership. Having had children in the school myself, I am passionate about using my experience to enhance the curriculum and foster a love for learning. My goal is to create a nurturing environment where our children can excel while embracing their Muslim identity, so they can contribute meaningfully to society.

EYFS/Nursery Practitioners

Name	Role	About Me
Ms Lamia	Nursery Lead	I am a qualified Level 5 Early Years Lead with over 10 years of experience supporting young children's development across diverse settings. I earned my qualification while working at Barnet Hill Academy, where I have developed strong leadership skills and deepened my understanding of how children learn and thrive. My approach is rooted in energy, resourcefulness, and a deep sense of responsibility. I pride myself on being patient, caring, and responsive to the individual needs of each child, embedding these traits into every aspect of their learning journey. I believe in creating a stimulating and inclusive environment where children feel safe, valued, and empowered to explore, grow, and take confident steps toward their future learning. I am continually motivated by the joy of seeing children develop holistically and am committed to fostering strong partnerships with families and colleagues to support the best outcomes for every child.
Ms Fardus	Early Years Practitioner	I am currently an Islamic studies teacher at BHA. Over the last 12 years, Iâ€™ve taught a range of age groups from adults to children in Islamic Studies, Quran and Tajweed, which has given me a lot of experience working in different environments. I have also worked alongside this as a Mualima at Hendon Madarassah for over a decade. In addition, I have also been working as an Early Years practitioner at Barnet Hill's Nursery alongside upholding my position as a Key Stage 1 Islamic Studies teacher.
Ms Ayah	Early Years Practitioner	Born and raised in the USA, I hold a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education and bring over 15 years of hands-on experience working with young children in a variety of educational settings. My passion lies in nurturing early childhood development and creating engaging, inclusive learning environments. As a bilingual educator fluent in both Arabic and English, I am able to build strong, meaningful connections with children and families from diverse backgrounds. I am currently furthering my professional development through the Early Years Level 3 Practitioner training at Barnet Hill Academy.

Primary Teachers

Ms Mariya	Year 1 Teacher	I have experience working in a variety of educational settings, including Early Years and KS1. Helping children realise their potential at this early stage is my passion. I do my utmost to support children with their educational and social development, taking into account the needs of each child. I endeavour to provide a fun and caring environment for children to explore and learn in a safe and secure way.
Ms Hamda	Year 1 Teacher	After gaining my BSc in Biomedical Science, I went on to gain a Cambridge Level 5 Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CELTA), being awarded â€˜Above Standardâ€™. I went on to teach in a range of educational settings, and then subsequently completed my PGCE in an AET school with Ark Teacher Training. Following the wonderful experience I had teaching in a state school, I feel blessed to be able to join the BHA family and give back to my community.
Ms Amna	Year 2 Teacher	I have undertaken many teacher training opportunities including an Award in Teaching and Education. Working with children is my passion, and it gives me great satisfaction. Along with teaching, my passion is doing creative work with children, and I lead Art & Design at the Academy.
Ms Yasmeen	Year 2 and 3 Teacher	I have successfully attained level 4 HLTA qualification whilst working in school. It has enabled me to improve my skills in teaching classes unsupervised in key stage 1 and 2. In completing this course, it has been rewarding as I have been able to constructively apply my skills and understanding in strengthening my level of expertise. Additionally, I support the class teacher by giving tracked spelling assessments and providing lesson plans to aid in the development and well-being of the children.
Ms Farida	Year 3 Teacher and Sendco	I am a fully qualified teacher with 9 years of experience in Education, mainly covering years 3, 4 and 5. As I embarked on my career in Education, I delved into many aspects of school life, from previously the Chair of PTA to Leading Science across the school. This enriched my experience, skill set and knowledge. I am passionate about positively motivating our children to reach their full potential in the classroom, as well as in life. Our beautiful deen Islam teaches us to do our best with excellence and, InshaAllah, I aim to always incorporate this in my teaching. This is my first year at BHA and I am looking forward to learning and growing with my classroom and providing a welcoming and nurturing environment.
Ms Rahela	Year 4 Teacher	I am a qualified and experienced teacher with a passion for nurturing children’s learning within a supportive and values-led environment. I have taught across Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 3, with a particular focus on upper Key Stage 2 during my time at Barnet Hill Academy. My main subject specialism is Art, and I am particularly passionate about encouraging creativity and enjoy helping pupils develop their artistic skills while also building confidence and individuality through their work. Throughout my career, I have worked in a range of schools, which has enabled me to develop a flexible and inclusive approach to teaching. I strive to create a classroom environment where all children feel valued, inspired and motivated to achieve their best. I have also taken on subject leadership roles, including Art, Mathematics, ICT and Physical Education and enjoy contributing to the wider school community. I am committed to supporting pupils not only academically, but also in their personal development, guided by strong moral values and a sense of respect for others.
Ms Hibah	Year 5 Teacher	After completing a BSc in Psychology and a PGCE in Primary Education, I attained Qualified Teacher Status. I am currently completing my Early Career Teacher (ECT) training at Barnet Hill Academy. My diverse experiences across various school environments have underscored the uniqueness of each child and the need to make a meaningful, positive impact on their learning. These experiences have deepened my understanding of child development and enhanced my ability to identify and address students' needs effectively. My passion for working with children drives my commitment to support their growth and celebrate their successes.
Ms Asma	Year 6 Teacher	After completing my masters in English Literature, I pursued a PGCE from Middlesex University. I began my teaching career at Islamia Primary School and was fortunate to complete my NQT training at Ayesha Community School. I then moved to a state school in North West London, where I gained lots of experience and taught various year groups for 8 years as I took on multiple roles, including class teacher in KS1, Lead in KS2 and subject lead for Maths and Science. I also worked in a Church School for 4 years as a RE Lead and class teacher. Before returning to BHA as a Year 6 teacher, I worked as a Science lead and KS2 class teacher at a school in North Finchley. I am passionate about using my experience and positively influencing the learning environment. My goal is to create a supportive and inclusive environment where children can thrive, feel confident, flourish and receive a well-rounded education and a bright future filled with knowledge, faith, and endless possibilities.

Teaching Assistants & Higher Level Teaching Assistants

Ms Rawshan	Teaching Assistant	I have had the privilege of working within the school since 2012 and hold an HL4 Teaching Assistant qualification. With a strong foundation in child development, I am passionate about creating an inclusive and engaging environment where every child can thrive. I enjoy working closely with colleagues, children, and families to ensure that all learners feel valued, supported, and confident in their education.
Ms Rehana	Teaching Assistant	I am a qualified Early Years Level 2 Practitioner with over 12 years experience in various settings, and I enjoy working with children in both the Early Years and school age children especially in the Arts and Crafts and I lead many of the Cooking classes for our younger children and enjoy seeing them develop and grow.
Ms Abla	Teaching Assistant	I attained a CACHE Level 2 certificate in supporting teaching and learning in school (QCF) in 2014. I worked as an MTS and one-to-one assistant supporting SEN children at a local Primary school for 8 years. I gained crucial knowledge on child-development to provide additional assistance to pupils who require extra support to keep up with their peers. For the last 2 years I have worked as a nursery practitioner at a day care nursery. I was providing a high standard of physical emotional social and intellectual care for children. To further my desire for success and development I joined Barnet Hill Academy, and I am undertaking the Level 3 Teaching Assistant qualification.

Islamic Studies Teachers

Name	Role	About Me
Ms Rawshan	Arabic Teacher	I'm a passionate Arabic teacher with a law degree and extensive experience in Arabic studies. I enjoy teaching Arabic in a creative and inspiring manner, tailoring each lesson to the individual student. I aim to make Arabic learning informative, enjoyable, and confidence-boosting, while also sharing the beauty of the language and its rich culture.
Ms Fardus	Years 1-2 Teacher	I am currently an Islamic studies teacher at BHA. Over the last 12 years, Iâ€™ve taught a range of age groups from adults to children in Islamic Studies, Quran and Tajweed, which has given me a lot of experience working in different environments. I have also worked alongside this as a Mualima at Hendon Madarassah for over a decade. I am very passionate about teaching and hope to be included amongst those described by our beloved Prophet S.A.W : â€œThe best of you are those who learn the Quran and teach it.â€SÌ£ahÌ£iÌ„hÌ£ al-BukhaÌ„riÌ„. Overall, I would say I enjoy working with children as it is very rewarding for me to see them learn and grow.
Ms Susan	Years 3-4 Teacher	As a native Arabic speaker, attending Islamic studies lessons from childhood in Damascus ignited a keen interest to learn the Sirah and memorise the Qurâ€™an with Tajweed. When I moved to Saudi Arabia, my Islamic education was strengthened, and I represented my preparatory school in a Qurâ€™an competition. I moved back to Syria, where I attained my BA in English Language and Literature. As well as teaching English and Islamic studies privately and in supplementary schools, I have work experience in the banking and media sectors. I have also been teaching Qurâ€™an and Islamic Studies at Hendon Madrasah since 2018.
Ms Souad	Years 5-6 Teacher	I hold a Level 3 Diploma in Childcare and Education and have over 15 years of experience in various educational settings. My background includes supporting Early Years development and working with children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). In addition to this, I have taught Arabic, Qurâ€™an, Tajweed, and Islamic Studies for over 15 years at an independent Arabic school and have been serving as a teacher at Hendon Madrasah for 10 years. At Barnet Hill Academy, I currently teach Islamic Studies for upper Key Stage 2, as well as Qurâ€™an and Tajweed in the after-school classes.
Mr Abdesselam	Nasheed Teacher	I have dedicated the last 16 years to teaching Nasheed (music), driven by a passion for nurturing young minds and emphasising Muslim identity in education. My love for Nasheed (music) has played a significant role in my journey, inspiring me to blend classical Arabic and Western styles to create a unique and enriching experience for my students. As a recording artist, I have had the privilege of performing at esteemed venues such as the Barbican and collaborating with renowned artists, including Yusuf Islam and Sami Yusuf. In my role as choir master, my choirs have showcased their talents at high-profile events, including Eid in the Square and Downing Street. I am deeply committed to helping children thrive through Nasheed, culture, and community.