The Totteridge Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school The quality of leadership and management in the school is outstanding.

The school is led by an inspirational principal. He is supported by a strong and effective leadership team. The school joined the United Learning Trust in 2016, at the same time as the current principal took up his post.

Since then, the quality of education has improved rapidly. Leaders have developed a curriculum that is broad and rich. It prepares pupils well for life in modern Britain.

Pupils receive high-quality careers advice and guidance during their time at the school. The quality of teaching, learning and assessment is typically good. In some subjects,... including mathematics, teaching is highly effective.

In these subjects, teachers plan meticulously and ask probing questions to check and develop pupils' understanding. In 2018, pupils' outcomes were good overall. They were particularly strong in mathematics.

Low and middle prior attaining pupils achieved well in almost all subjects. There is a similar picture for those currently in the school. Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) make strong progress from their starting points over time.

Teachers consider pupils' needs when they plan, and they are well supported in lessons. In 2018, disadvantaged pupils made good progress compared to other pupils nationally, with similar starting points. Disadvantaged pupils currently in the school are also making strong progress.

Leaders are ambitious for all pupils and set very high standards. Behaviour in the school is outstanding. Pupils conduct themselves exceptionally well around the school and in lessons.

They treat each other with respect and enjoy positive and healthy relationships. Pupils' personal development and welfare are outstanding. Pupils are provided with a wide range of high-quality and effective support.

There is some variance in the quality of teaching between subjects. The most able pupils do not make equally strong progress in all subjects. This is because they are not provided with the same high level of challenge in some subjects as in most others.

Leaders have identified this as a priority for the school.

Information about this school

The Totteridge Academy is a smaller-than-average sized secondary school. It converted to an academy in 2011 and joined the United Learning Trust in November 2016.

There are currently pupils in Years 7 to 11. Leaders plan to open a sixth form in 2020. There are significantly more boys on roll than girls.

The proportion of disadvantaged pupils is above the national average. The proportion of pupils with SEND is slightly above that of other schools. The proportion of pupils who have an education, health and care (EHC) plan is slightly above that of other schools.

The proportion of pupils who speak English as an additional language is significantly above that of other schools. A very small number of pupils attend the Pavilion pupil referral unit (PRU) in Barnet. No reference is made to them in this report because to do so would risk identifying them.