Razing the Roof

33 schools from across the country visited Highbury Fields School in Islington to learn from the school’s best practices in attendance, behaviour and teaching. 
 

Headteacher, Tim Fox, talking to visiting schools about the community culture of Highbury Fields School.

Named by the Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson in January as one “of the very best schools nationally”, 33 schools and representatives from the Department for Education and local authorities visited Highbury Fields School in March as part of a showcase of best educational practices.

Deputy Head, Kavita Vishnuram, sharing insights on teaching practices at Highbury Fields.
 

Given the sustained success of the school, Highbury Fields was asked by the Department for Education to demonstrate how their values-led approach to leading a community school has created an inclusive culture in which there is no ceiling for what their students can achieve - what Highbury Fields call ‘razing the roof’.
 

Deputy Head, Denise Joseph, talking to visiting schools about the commitment to learning of students.
 

Visiting schools commented, ‘The strength of the community at Highbury Fields really shone through.  When I asked ‘what makes Highbury Fields so special, Ela said, “We feel listened to by our teachers here,” while Nailah summed it up beautifully by saying, “we are a community and care for each other.”   The showcase went so well that ten of the visiting schools have subsequently asked if Highbury Fields can support them to implement the practices that make Highbury Fields students some of the most successful in the country.

More about Highbury Fields School

Highbury Fields School is a girls’ community school with a mixed sixth form.  In 2025, the GCSE and A-level attainment of students was in the top 10% of schools in the country.  Although the school is oversubscribed, due to families moving out of London, there are some places available for September in Year 9 and Year 10.

Contact

For more information, please email Leigh O’Hara, lohara@highburyfields.islington.sch.uk or call 020 7288 1888.