NIKHAT PARDESI
Headteacher
Being a Headteacher represents the greatest opportunity I could wish for: working with others to guide young people into adulthood and enable them to contribute purposefully to the world in which they live
Educated in Blackburn, Lancashire, Mrs Nikhat Pardesi went on to gain an BA in English at University of Central Lancashire. Her teaching career spans over eighteen years. She has been Headteacher of Al Islah Girls’ High School since 2018.
SAFIYYA KAROLIA
Assistant Head & Teacher
SLT
Life before Al Islah:
I attended Al Islah as a high school student and thoroughly enjoyed my time there and the success I achieved as Head Girl. I am a mother of three and have an interweaved history of employment with the school. I have come back as a mentor, teacher and supply teacher over the last 12 years.
I have taught at different levels: high school, college and university as a teacher and lecturer, therefore I have experience and knowledge of a variety of teaching and learning strategies.
I have a BA in Social Science and a PGCE.
Role at the school:I currently teach KS3 & KS4 Citizenship Studies, run Student Council, fulfil the Exams Officer duties as well as fulfilling the role of Assistant Head at the school. I have been a mentor for staff whilst completing a range of qualifications.
I work with the Headteacher and other members of the SLT in all aspects of leadership and management and to take responsibility for managing and developing teaching and learning, curriculum, assessment and enrichment throughout the school. As Assistant Headteacher, I teach classes to model good practice, develop relationships, support training and development and ensure ‘quality first teaching’ is embedded across the phases they lead. I also take lead responsibility for ensuring the best possible curriculum offer, provision, well-being, progress and achievement for all children through careful monitoring and holding staff to account for the progress their pupils make.
HIFZA YAQOOB
Teacher & DSL
SLT
Life before Al Islah:
I hold a BSc (Hons) degree in Chemistry from the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan), complemented by completing the Aalima course at Jaamiatul Imaam Muhammad Zakaria in Bradford. My diverse educational background equips me with a strong foundation in both academic and religious studies.
Roles at the school:Currently, I serve as the Head of Science at Al Islah Girls High School, a role that enables me to lead the department in providing high-quality education and fostering a deep understanding of scientific principles. Since joining the school in 2017, I have been committed to teaching the GCSE Science curriculum to KS4 students, guiding them to academic success in this crucial subject. In addition to my Science responsibilities, I also teach BTEC Health and Social Care to KS4 pupils, equipping them with the essential knowledge and skills needed for their future careers.
As the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) at Al Islah, I am dedicated to ensuring the safety, well-being, and holistic development of our students. My role involves supporting them both academically and personally, creating a nurturing environment that empowers them to excel in all aspects of their lives.
I also hold Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS) status, reflecting my professional qualifications and my commitment to delivering the highest standard of education. My passion for teaching and dedication to my students remain at the core of everything I do, as I strive to guide them toward realising their full potential.
ZAINAB TUFAIL
School Business Manager
SLT
Life before Al Islah:
I graduated with a BA Honours degree in Accounting through Lancaster University in 2014. I have had previous jobs ranging in various sectors in which I have gained valuable experience within finance, administration and customer service. I work on improving myself by enrolling on various CPD courses for personal development.
Roles at the school:
My primary role is School Business Manager. I am the first point of contact for all stakeholders within the organisation. This also includes the pupils, parents and staff. Communication is vital for this role and one of my greatest strengths is that I am multilingual in Cantonese, Mandarin, Pashto, Punjabi and Urdu.
Since starting at Al Islah, I have seen excellent team spirit as well as a friendly and helpful environment and admirable community support. I feel honoured and proud to be part of this school and establishment.
SARA KAROLIA
School Admin Assistant
Life before Al Islah:Before I started at Al Islah, I have worked as an Admin Officer for many years. My role at Scheme Design was very challenging and this gave me a huge advantage and taught me a lot about effective communication and interaction with people of all ages.
Additionally, as well as being a full time mum, I have a great passion in education as I have been teaching Islamic Studies to young children for the last 10 years. In my spare time I also provide Hijama and Massage Therapy as I am also qualified for this.
Roles at the school:I have started a role at Al Islah as an Admin Assistant providing support in the school admin office. One of strengths is communication and this role demand outstanding communication within the whole school family, including staff, students, parents and any other external visitors.
I am also a keen team player and have enjoyed working with all my colleagues in school. I feel very proud to be part of this highly esteemed school.
AASIYA SIDAT
Teacher
Life before Al Islah:Alhamdulillah from being a student at Al-Islah, back in the 90’s, I went on to acquire my BA (Honours) in English Language and Literary studies with Lancaster University and my PGCE in English (with Drama and Media Studies) at University of Cumbria. Since 2007, when I attained my QTS, I have ventured across the Pennines and taught in West Yorkshire as a Teacher of English as well as a qualified NTP tutor for schools up and down the country delivering English GCSE Intervention programmes. I have also worked in a senior role as lead English tutor and on the SLT for a global Education Centre franchise.
During my teaching journey I also worked as a supply teacher and in further education settings; teaching A-Level, GCSE re-sits, working with SEND pupils, excluded pupils and Looked After Children inside a Children’s Home. I am also a mother of 2 and have had experience in home education with my daughter. This wealth of experience has undoubtedly taught me a great deal in the development of teaching and learning strategies.
Roles at the school:
Returning to Blackburn has made my journey come full circle back to Al-Islah as a Teacher of English. I am excited at what this new opportunity offers and am beyond grateful for having the pleasure of working with such lovely pupils and an amazing team to bring out the best in the students whilst also contributing my services to the local community.
YUSUR AL-DALLA ALI
Teacher
Life before Al Islah:
I previously studied at Tauheedul Islam Girls’ High School and Sixth Form Centre. Having had the opportunity to freely explore learning in the experience of home-schooling, I can confidently say that I have manifested a devotion to English as a language through vigorous reading and creative writing. Therefore, after achieving Grade 9s in GCSE English Language and Literature, I chose to pursue English in Further Education.
My attraction to teaching at Al-Islah developed from an experience week that I spent learning about the perspective of teachers. I have also completed a short teaching course which has greatly helped me.
Role at the school:
At Al Islah, I am a KS3 and KS4 English Language and Literature teacher. I strive for the best potential outcome for the students and am passionate to ignite the love for reading and enjoying English as a whole in the hearts of students.
SAFIYYAH KAROLIA
Teacher
Life before Al Islah:
Prior to joining Al Islah Girls High School, I gained valuable experience teaching at various educational institutions, where I developed a strong understanding of student needs at different stages of their academic journeys. I am thrilled to be given the opportunity to be part of the Al Islah family and to contribute to the academic and personal growth of our students.
Role at the school:
At Al Islah, I work closely with the English department to create a nurturing and stimulating environment for our young KS3 learners. I design lesson plans that cater to diverse learning styles, implement engaging classroom activities, and assess student progress through creative assignments and tests. I am particularly committed to supporting students in building strong foundational skills in reading comprehension, grammar and writing, which are essential as the girls’ progress through to KS4
NABILA HADDADI
Teacher
Life before Al Islah:
I have had the pleasure to teach for over 15 years both in a school and madrassa setting. This includes educating my own children which provided me with an additional and a wealth of experience teaching a wide range of children from as young as 4 till 16 years of age. I have always had a zeal for teaching, whether it is to educate people with deeni knowledge or be it secular education. It brings me great pleasure to equip young learners with the knowledge to form the basis of their success, enhancing their chances for a better future. I consider myself very fortunate to teach a subject I am very passionate about. I alhamdulilah have my Aalimah degree and currently undertaking a Level 5 LST Course.
Roles at the school:With an unwavering passion for teaching and a wealth of experience spanning over several years, I am a dedicated teacher committed to fostering a positive and engaging learning environment. My journey in education is marked by a steadfast commitment to student success and continuous professional development, culminating in the prestigious achievement of Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS) status at the school.
As a teacher at Al Islah, my ultimate goal is to inspire a lifelong love of learning of Maths in my students and to equip them with the skills and confidence needed to succeed in their academic and professional pursuits. My dedication to teaching excellence, coupled with my QTLS status and extensive experience, positions me as a highly effective and inspirational teacher ready to make a significant impact in the educational field. I believe that education is not just about imparting knowledge but also about inspiring and empowering my learners to reach their full potential.
SABA ALI
Teacher
Life before Al Islah:
As an experienced teacher for primary and secondary aged pupils, I have gained a deep passion for teaching both Mathematics and Urdu language at all Key Stage levels. I have previously successfully shared my passion with my learners and I hope to do so in my role at Al Islah.
Role at the school:
I am looking forward to working with the girls in my new role as a Maths and Urdu teacher and encouraging logical thinking and creativity among students. I am committed to creating an engaging and supportive learning environment where students can develop their skills, confidence and a lifelong appreciation for both Mathematics and Urdu.
MARIYAH IQBAL
Teacher
Life before Al Islah Before joining Al Islah Girls High School, I gained extensive experience working in various educational settings, including mainstream schools and community tutoring programs. This diverse background has equipped me with a broad understanding of different teaching approaches and the ability to adapt my methods to meet the unique needs of each student.
Role at Al Islah
In my current role at Al Islah Girls High School, I teach Key Stage 3 Maths, where I focus on delivering a curriculum that balances academic rigor with the integration of Islamic values. My experience in various educational settings has enhanced my ability to create engaging, student-centred lessons that cater to diverse learning needs, ensuring that each student thrives both academically and spiritually.
RABEAH AKHTAR
Teacher
Life before Al Islah:
As a previous student of Al Islah myself, I thoroughly enjoyed my school journey here. I received tremendous support here myself and my passion of teaching has really initiated from my school journey here.
Role at the Al Islah:
I started in Al Islah as a Teacher Support and my passion for science grew. I successfully completed a Level 3 Teaching Assistant Course. I created a very positive rapport and relationship with the girls and gained excellent support from the staff team.
I have now established myself as a KS3 Science Teacher and the school PE teacher too. I hope to continue my professional development and become a qualified teacher very soon.
FATIMA HUSSAIN
Teacher
Life before Al Islah:
I was a student at Al Islah High School and this was a thoroughly enjoyable time for me. Alhamdullilah I have been given an opportunity to come back to Al Islah as a Teacher Support to provide various support to different subject teachers. I successfully gained 8 GCSEs and a L2 Health & Social Care Qualification.
Role at the school:
My role at the school is to provide support to those pupils who are struggling with certain subject content. I work very closely with subject teachers, particularly the Science and the Computing department. I really enjoy being a part of Al Islah and the opportunities it has given me.
ZAYNAB HAFEJEE
Teacher
Life before Al Islah:
Before joining Al Islah, I have gained experience of teaching both KS3 and KS4 pupil for a number of years. Coupled with being in an Islamic environment; as a student and a teacher; I believe in the importance of the privilege of acquiring knowledge in this manner.
Role at the school:
As a history teacher for KS3 and KS4, I strongly believe it is important to aid students in attaining their full potential in all their subjects and at the same time to create a lifelong passion for the subject.
SANDA AKRAME
KS3 & KS4 Art
Life before Al Islah
I graduated from the College of Art and Design in Latvia as well as completed an Art course in Finland, and ever since I have been updating my knowledge in arts through various courses having found particular interest in Islamic Arts.
Having studied as well as worked for several Art projects, I can confidently say that studying Art provides students the opportunity to acquire new skills, it encourages their self-expression and creativity – the critical thinking skills which will benefit the students in the future in whatever career they would choose.
Role at Al Islah
I am currently teaching Art to KS3 and KS4 students. In my relatively short experience in education I noticed that I love seeing students acknowledging that they are capable of creating some great artwork. And it makes me feel great to realize that some of them will take themselves further beyond what has been taught in a classroom. Therefore, I am truly delighted and thankful that Al Islah School has integrated Art in the Curriculum and given me the opportunity to be their Teacher of Art.
DANA AL SHARAWI
Teacher
Life before Al Islah:
Before joining Al Islah School, I graduated as a pharmacist and worked for seven years in a hospital in Saudi Arabia. My career in healthcare was both rewarding and challenging, providing me with a deep understanding of medical science and patient care. Despite the satisfaction I found in helping patients, I felt a calling to pursue a different path. This led me to shift my career to education, where I dedicated myself to teach secondary school students for several years, gaining valuable experience in the academic field and nurturing young minds. Additionally, I taught Islamic and Quran studies for a year at Abu Hanifah Madrassah, enriching my teaching repertoire and connecting with students on a spiritual level.
Role at the Al Islah school:
At Al Islah School, I play a crucial role in shaping the educational journey of students by teaching Key Stage 3 Religious Studies (RS). My responsibilities include developing engaging lesson plans, fostering a respectful and inclusive classroom environment, and instilling a deep understanding of religious studies in my students. Through my teaching, I aim to encourage critical thinking, empathy, and a broader appreciation of different cultures and beliefs.
FATIMA MANSOOR
Teacher
Life before Al Islah:
I am from Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, after graduating from the University of Huddersfield with a BSC Hons in ICT and a degree in Islamic theology I went on to gain experience in the teaching field. Alhamduliah I gained experience of teaching children from both primary & secondary level of education teaching various subjects as well as teaching in different madrassah settings.
Overall I learnt that teaching is rewarding as you see your pupils learn, achieve and master new skills.
I then got married and moved to Blackburn where I had the privilege of teaching at Al Islah school for approximately 5-6 years in which I gained experience of teaching various subjects which includes ICT and Religious studies, during this time I was able to form a good bond with the staff who were all amazing individuals working hard to achieve the school ethos and still continue to do so which is the key reason why pupils attain good results.
I took a break for just over 5 years to raise my 2 children and I am now looking forward to returning back to teaching Al Islah School.
Role at the school:
I am the key stage 4 Religious studies teacher, I will use my experience and knowledge to ensure all my pupils attain their full potential and achieve good GCSE results InshaAllah .
SAADIYAH VALIMULLA
Teaching Assistant
Life before Al Islah:
I have a background in working with children of all ages for a few years. I am qualified with an Early Years Diploma and Alhamdulillah I have managed to gain valuable experience from three different work placements. I have also worked with children in the evenings where I teach them the Islamic syllabus.
Role at the school:
I joined Al Islah in September 2023 as a Teaching assistant for KS3 years. I am a creative individual who loves to experiment and find interesting methods to engage pupils. I enjoy working at Al Islah tremendously as there is a lot of support from the colleagues and I relish being a member of the Al Islah family.
SHAMIM AMIR
Welfare Assistant & Custodian
Role at the school:
I am the longest serving member of Al Islah Girls High School and I have worked at AIGHS since 2003 as a Welfare Assistant and the school custodian. My previous role at Audley Infants School as a custodian and a cook has also helped me gain a better understanding of my current role.
The school is like my extended family and I thoroughly enjoy coming to work here. My duas are always with Al Islah!
SHEHANAZ SIDAT
Welfare Assistant & Custodian
Life before Al Islah:
I have volunteered for 2 years at an Islamic establishment based in Accrington. Here I have gained experience in teaching and helping boys and girls aged 8 to 9 years at this institution. I enjoy working here and have gained a lot of experience in communicating and working with young children.
Before this I worked at Royal Blackburn Hospital as a chef for the patients serving halal food. I was working here for 5 years before joining Al Islah.
Role at the school:
My role at AIGHS is a Welfare Assistant at lunchtime. I serve the lunch and make sure the jamaat khana where the children eat in is kept tidy and clean for others.
I have worked here since September 2021, and I thoroughly enjoy working together with my colleagues as a team.
UMAIMA ILYAS
Teacher Support
Life before Al Islah:
I studied at Al Islah and received exceptional GCSE qualifications. I enjoy working with children and I have done many volunteering post at local community madressahs helping children to learn. I have a great passion working within this local community and have been involved with many projects supporting different charities.
Role at the school:
I am proud to be an alumna of Al Islah Girls High School, where I have witnessed first-hand the school’s evolution into an exceptional teaching environment. After volunteering for a year, I returned as a Teaching Assistant and have cherished every moment since. The support I’ve received, and the myriad learning opportunities provided by the school have made my teaching experience here incredibly fulfilling. It is truly a pleasure to be part of such a dynamic and nurturing educational community.