Ofsted

Harris Academy St John’s Wood Has “Improved Significantly” According to Ofsted March 2025

We are pleased to announce that, following a visit in early March, Ofsted inspectors have concluded that our Academy has “Improved significantly” since it was last inspected and judged to be ‘Good’ in 2019. A graded inspection will therefore be taking place in due course to further assess these improvements.

This is a fantastic outcome which rightly reflects the ongoing hard work and dedication of our students, staff and our wider school community.

The inspectors have written a highly complimentary report about our Academy, with our broad curriculum, aspirational environment and wide-ranging extracurricular activities all highlighted. Our expert teaching staff were also praised throughout the report for the care and skill with which they prepare and adapt the curriculum to ensure understanding amongst all students.

Pleasingly, the inspectors observed how our students are ‘polite and respectful’ and ‘enjoy their learning’, offering their teachers and each other their undivided attention in their lessons. Our students were, as always, a credit to themselves, their families and our Academy throughout the inspection.

You can read the inspectors’ full report here Harris Academy St John's Wood - Open - Find an Inspection Report - Ofsted but we here are some of the highlights:

On our aspirational and supportive academy environment

• “Pupils flourish here”
• “Pupils told us they feel happy in school and enjoy their learning”
• “Pupils are proud to be part of an inclusive, caring and supportive community”
• Pupils “share the high expectations that staff have for them and value the support they receive”

On our students’ fantastic attitudes to school and learning

• “Pupils demonstrate exemplary attitudes to learning”
• “Pupils’ behaviour is excellent”
• “They are polite and respectful”
• “Pupils are very well prepared for lessons and listen to their teachers, and each other, intently”
• “Students relish the responsibility of leadership”
• “Pupils are punctual to school and lessons”
• “pupils are enthusiastic about reading aloud and do so with fluency”

On our strong academic curriculum

• “The school sets high academic standards and pupils achieve extremely well in most subjects”
• “Pupils study a broad range of subjects in depth”
• “The sixth-form curriculum is also carefully planned to cater for a wide range of interests and potential career pathways”

On our brilliant teaching staff

• “Teachers are subject experts”
• “Teachers know what to teach, when to teach it and how best to teach it”
• “Teachers check pupils’ understanding regularly”
• “Staff adapt learning effectively to support pupils’ individual needs”

On the opportunities we provide for students’ personal development

• “The school provides remarkable opportunities for pupils’ personal development”
• “Pupils receive helpful and well-planned careers guidance”
• Students are “very well prepared for higher education and employment”
• “The school provides a huge range of extra-curricular enrichment activities … Pupils readily embrace these opportunities enhancing their experience of school life.”

 

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Harris Academy St. John’s Wood was judged ‘Good’ by Ofsted when last inspected in November 2019.

The report showcases a significant transformation at the school which, on its last inspection as Quintin Kynaston, was placed in ‘special measures’.

Of the five areas judged by Ofsted, two were found to be ‘Outstanding’ already – the behaviour and attitudes of the academy’s students, and the Sixth Form.

As well as praising the ‘well-crafted curriculum’ on offer at the academy, the report notes the exceptional education and support provided to all students.

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Some highlights from our Ofsted report

On behaviour, which was described by inspectors as “impeccable”: “Pupils know that standards of behaviour are given high priority in this school. Leaders expect nothing less than excellent and that is what they get.”

On academic success:

• “Whatever their background, pupils go on to achieve very well in GCSE examinations and in a wide range of courses in the sixth form.”
• “Disadvantaged students achieve very well.”
• “Almost all students go on to higher education, many to top universities, including disadvantaged students.”

On our partnership with parents: “The partnership with parents is strong and they are highly supportive of the school.”

Inspectors noted just one area that needs to be addressed to make the academy an ‘Outstanding’ school. This is to ensure that Year 9 pupils continue the full range of subjects they study in Years 7 and 8, rather than focusing on their GCSE choices. As Ofsted notes, the academy was already working towards this, and this change is now embedded. 

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Following publication of the report, Mr Nick Soar, Executive Principal of Harris Academy St. John’s Wood, added:

“I would like to thank and congratulate students, staff, parents and governors for their fantastic efforts in making this school thrive. The report mirrors the huge improvements in our results since opening, with the academy now in the top 10% of schools for GCSEs and the top 25 school in the country for student progress at A Level.”

Mr Rob Hewitt, the Chair of Governors at the time, said:

“The result of the recent Ofsted inspection is testament to the transformation of the school over the last two and a half years into an institution that combines excellent results with the highest standards of behaviour. This reflects the tireless work of the staff, well supported by the Harris Federation and the governors, in creating an environment where children of all backgrounds and abilities can flourish.”

Our students added:

• “Reading this report makes me confident going into my GCSE years and fills me with hope for the things the school can achieve and give to students. It makes me proud of the improvements the school has made and glad to be a part of the school community.” Hari, Year 9 
• “As a member of the Sixth Form, I’m very proud of the report. I have been at the school since Year 7 and we have come a long way as a school and as a team.” Shilan, Sixth Former

You can read the full Ofsted report by clicking on the link below.