Ofsted has praised a school where staff commit to the vision that “everyone is there to put a student on the moon”.
In its previous inspection by the education watchdog in 2019, The Totteridge Academy received the second-highest ‘good’ rating.
Since September 2024, Ofsted no longer issues single-word ratings, but in its latest ungraded inspection in November, inspectors wrote that the school’s work “may have improved significantly across all areas” since.
A report by lead inspector Janice Howkins and inspector Joanne Hamill praises the school’s “broad and ambitious curriculum” and says pupils are “exceptionally well supported to succeed”.
The report says: “The highest expectations are set by staff for pupils. Staff commit to the vision that ‘everyone is there to put a student on the moon’.”
On its website, the school says it follows the philosophy of Kaizen, Japanese for “continuous improvement”. Inspectors say staff “consistently teach to the highest quality”, set a strong example and create a nurturing but challenging environment that is revealed in its GCSE and A-level results.
Ofsted highlighted that the school “thoroughly identifies the needs of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)” and ensures that pupils with SEND have the resources and support to be as ambitious as their classmates.
Noting “exemplary” behaviour, the report said children are happy, value their friendships and feel safe. It added: “Pupils love their outdoor experiences on the school’s farm and walking Peggy, the school dog.”
Totteridge Academy principal Chris Fairbairn said: “All of us at TTA are proud to offer students an exceptional education as well as a wide range of experiences which make their time at school special and memorable.
“The report really is a credit to our fantastic staff and students, and I would like to thank them for all they do to make TTA such an inspiring, welcoming and exciting place to learn.”
The school is part of the United Learning academy trust. Its director of secondary academies Benjamin Antell said: “The inspectors’ highly complimentary report is testament to the excellent efforts of staff to offer students a rich, stimulating and rewarding education.
“From the quality of the academic curriculum to students’ exemplary attitudes towards learning, the inspectors praised a number of aspects of the academy and were clearly impressed by its very high standards.”
The school’s next inspection will be a graded inspection.