North London Grammar School - "Inadequate" Ofsted report

[PandaDad2013]

Looking at North London Grammar School for our son for 11+, and I see that whilst in 2018 it was rated "Outstanding", by the follow-up inspection last year this had dropped to "Inadequate".

I can't quite see what caused this severe drop, nor can I find anything from the school itself acknowledging it (though I'm sure they wrote to parents at the time) other than to link to the report from their website.

Anyone (parents or otherwise) with any insight? Was this a 'blip' that has been fixed, or a sign of a dramatic and longer lasting drop in standards?

Thanks in advance to anyone who can shine any light!

A concern about safeguarding (making sure all staff have an enhanced DBS and following up references before staff start work) will always lead to an inadequate rating even if everything else were perfect.

They also mention poor curriculum design and lack of support for SEN.

Thanks @Donki - to clarify, I can see from the report what the criticisms were, but interested as to whether this was a) a blip or sign of a longer term decline, and b) whether the last year has seen them 'bounce back'?

I'm not sure how much attention I would pay to this (speaking as a teacher, but admittedly one who has not read the report). Ofsted can often have an agenda when they inspect a school and this seems to be impacting grammar schools recently.

As an example, in the past year, two grammar schools in our area have been downgraded while our school (a comprehensive) has been upgraded to outstanding, which sounds nice, but I know very well that pupils get a far better deal at the local schools, and there are a lot of issues in our school that were fully downplayed in the inspection. If I had secondary aged children, there is no way I would send them to the school I attend.

I would think about what you are looking for in a secondary school - e.g. is it academic results/pastoral care etc. and then look for what evidence you can find about the school about those factors, rather than relying on Ofsted.

Yeah, the famous Tiffin and Sutton boys were downgraded. Well done Ofsted for demystifying the holy grail of grammas. A touch of reality.

I could've sworn there was a post about it at the time but it's not there now or not searchable anyway. Maybe it got taken down. Here's a thread from 2020 that might give you an insight into what it was like 3 years ago, to get a sense of whether it's a blip (sounds likely): https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/secondary/3940963-North-London-Grammar-school-Hendon

I would be concerned if it was inadequate to be honest. And while I agree with some of what @spirit20 has said, as a teacher too I know how a bad Ofsted regardless of the reasons can have a negative impact on the staff and ultimately the school. Depending on the nature of the problems - I've not read the report it could result in poor staff morale and those who can jumping ship.

If it was my child and I had another choice I would not pick that school. I hope for the current children and staff that it is a result of something that can be fixed quickly.

With regards to Tiffin and Sutton getting downgraded I tend to think these schools have less to prove than other schools and coast a little relying on the fact that their intake are super bright.

@12345change
>With regards to Tiffin and Sutton getting downgraded I tend to think these schools have less to prove than other schools and coast a little relying on the fact that their intake are super bright.

Exactly, and as a result of drifting just thanks to self motivated kids, the teaching levels dropped down.
It is very disappointing. Less detailed parents just send their kids to get into those extremely competitive school but apart from the companionship of other bright kids, the school is average. Not better than many comprehensive schools, and as everybody says, pastoral carez mental health care in this "throat cutting" competitive environment is poor.

It'll be safeguarding. Unfortunately a lot of independent schools are really not that great with this and take a far too lax approach. There is a lot of underestimating when it comes to how much it takes to run a school to the governments standards.

Thanks all, great perspectives from both sides!

I would expect the school to address the issue at an open day. Ai was very impressed with how the headteacher at our local comp addressed its requires improvement rating in his speech to prospective parents. I would want to know what the reason was and how they have addressed it.

The reasons are clearly laid out in OFSTED report.