Harris Lowe Academy Willesden

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 12 November 2024

Pupils achieve well and are prepared successfully for their next academic steps. The school fosters a sense of belonging, mutual respect and ambition among its pupils. New senior leaders are determined to raise further the academic and behavioural expectations of pupils across the school. Pupils are happy, make friends easily and enjoy learning. They settle in classes quickly and respond positively to the school's high expectations. The school follows up quickly and supportively on the rare occasions that pupils do not meet its high expectations. The school organises extra-curricular activities for pupils that help them to develop their talents and interests. These include chess club, an annual school production and the Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Pupils take part in competitive sports fixtures, including girls' and boys' football. All pupils learn to swim during Year 7. The school arranges educational outings that expand pupils' understanding of subjects. For example, pupils who study drama visited a central London theatre and pupils visited the Houses of Parliament to learn about democracy and government. A level biology students completed fieldwork in the countryside to learn how the environment affects different species.

What the school should improve

• The teaching for pupils at the early stages of learning to read English is not as developed as other parts of the curriculum. Sometimes, these pupils therefore struggle to understand what they have learned. The trust should ensure that pupils at the early stages of learning to read English are supported to catch up quickly with their peers, so that they can access all learning and read with age-appropriate fluency.
• At times, the curriculum at key stage 3 is not routinely adapted to meet the needs of a few pupils. When this happens, sometimes pupils do not understand fully the subject matter that has been taught or what they have been asked to do. At other times, pupils do not have enough practise to master what they have been taught. The trust should ensure that the curriculum is routinely adapted for the needs of all pupils, so that they can achieve their best.

Read the full Ofsted report (opens in a new tab)