Kingsmead School

Kingsmead School is a large secondary school and part of a single-academy trust. It requires special measures because safeguarding standards are not met and leadership and governance require urgent improvement, even though the school’s education provision is generally secure across achievement, curriculum, inclusion, personal development and post-16. The inspection took place after significant leadership change, including a new chair of trustees in September 2025 and an acting headteacher appointed in December 2025. Pupils achieve broadly in line with national averages and benefit from a broad, well-sequenced curriculum. Disadvantaged pupils make notable gains in English, pupils with SEND are typically successful alongside their peers, and the school has a strong inclusive culture. Personal development, careers guidance and work experience are well considered, and sixth-form students make steady progress and are prepared for their next steps. Pupils generally enjoy school, attend well and behave positively around the school. However, serious weaknesses in safeguarding overshadow these strengths. Required pre-employment checks and vetting are incomplete for some staff, the single central record has significant gaps, and leaders and trustees have been too slow to act. Governance oversight and challenge are insufficient across safeguarding, attendance, alternative provision and off-rolling. Some pupils report bullying and discriminatory language and are not confident staff will address it, while support for SEND and basic literacy skills is not consistently implemented in classrooms. These failings mean the school is not providing an acceptable standard overall and requires special measures.

Strengths

• Pupils achieve broadly in line with national averages and develop secure knowledge and skills.
• Disadvantaged pupils make notable gains in English and generally achieve above national peers in some measures.
• Pupils with SEND are typically successful alongside their peers and receive effective support.
• The school has an inclusive culture that prioritises vulnerable pupils and identifies needs early.
• The curriculum is broad, balanced and sequenced so pupils build learning over time.
• Leaders have an accurate picture of curriculum quality and clear plans for further improvement.
• Personal development is purposeful, including a readiness curriculum and strong careers guidance.
• Sixth-form students make steady progress and are well prepared for university, training and careers.
• Pupils generally enjoy school, attend well and behave positively around the school.
• Staff are proud to work at the school and benefit from effective professional learning.
• Safeguarding policies and training for managing individual pupil concerns are robust and well communicated.

Areas for Improvement

• Safeguarding standards are not met and leaders have not ensured an open and positive safeguarding culture.
• Required pre-employment checks and vetting are incomplete for some staff, and the single central record has significant gaps.
• Leaders and trustees have been too slow to understand and remedy safeguarding weaknesses.
• Leadership and governance require urgent improvement, with insufficient oversight and challenge across key areas.
• Governors and trustees lack capacity to strengthen how they evaluate the impact of leaders’ actions.
• Attendance recording and monitoring for alternative provision are not fully in line with published guidance.
• Procedures for confirming education provision when pupils leave the school roll are not robust.
• Some pupils report bullying, discriminatory language and intolerance, and some lack confidence that staff will address it.
• Teachers do not consistently address weaknesses in handwriting, spelling and grammar for some pupils.
• Support for pupils with SEND is not consistently implemented in the classroom.
• Post-16 attainment measures are below national levels, although students’ progress is steady.

• Primary Schools
• Secondary Schools

• Highlands School
• St Anne's Catholic High School for Girls
• St Ignatius College
• Waverley School
• West Lea School

What is Kingsmead School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Kingsmead School is Urgent improvement, from an inspection in July 2026.

When was Kingsmead School last inspected by Ofsted?

Kingsmead School was last inspected in July 2026.

How many pupils does Kingsmead School have?

Kingsmead School has 1,484 pupils on roll.

What age range does Kingsmead School cover?

Kingsmead School for pupils aged 11 to 18.

What are Kingsmead School's GCSE results?

In 2026 its average Attainment 8 score was 49.1, and 47% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in both English and maths GCSE.

Where is Kingsmead School?

Kingsmead School is at 196 Southbury Road, Enfield, EN1 1YQ.