Headteacher’s Address

Peace and blessings be upon you. When we started TOP Academy in 2010, our hope was to provide traditional knowledge in an environment of love and mercy for our children. Alhamdulilah, we’ve seen them learn and thrive in a community that they identify with; not by race or nationality, but through belief in God and love for His Messenger (peace be upon him).

The curriculum and approach developed continues to serve the children of other families and each year we are growing in numbers, quality and experience. It is heart warming to see the great Adab of the teachers and students glowing in a time of uncertainty and lack of direction in the world. With this in mind, we would like to share with you our expectations for the students at TOP Academy below.

We ask you for your prayers and hope that you and yours will join us on this journey of learning, inshaAllah.

– Ustadh Daniel Jackson

Class Adab

Adab (or good manners) are very important to Muslims. At TOP Academy, we strive to have a good relationship between our students, parents and teachers, based on the example of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), who said:

The best among you in Islam are those with the best manners.

Bukhari

Below are some expectations we have of our students, that we encourage them to demonstrate outside of the academy:

  • Being punctual to class.
  • Greeting the teacher with salaams.
  • Coming to class dressed appropriately (no shorts above the knee, shoulders covered). Girls should wear tights or leggings under skirts or dresses. Headscarves are not mandatory (except when praying Salat).
  • Calling your teacher Ustadh (for a male) or Ustadha (for a female).
  • Raising your hand to ask questions – never interrupt the teacher, or another student.
  • Listening attentively to your fellow students, as you would want to be listened to.
  • Taking care of the classroom by tidying up after yourself and not leaving your personal possessions behind.
  • Making sure the toilet area is clean, after you have used it.
  • Sitting still when gathered as a whole group – this includes avoiding pointing your feet at the teacher, or other students, and not distracting them, by fiddling.
  • Always talking to teachers and other students with respect, care and positivity. A smile goes a long way, and a compliment even further.