Leytonstone School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 13 January 2026

Pupils and staff speak about changes to the school's culture and why they feel happy to come to school. This has contributed to the improvement in pupils’ behaviour and attendance. Pupils value the learning and support they receive at Leytonstone School. They benefit from a well-considered curriculum that helps them to build important knowledge and skills over time. Staff are aware of the barriers to learning that some pupils face. Effective teaching and support help pupils to overcome these barriers. This enables pupils, including disadvantaged pupils, to achieve well in school. Pupils join the school from many diverse backgrounds. Staff give them a warm welcome, meeting and greeting their pupils at the classroom door. This helps pupils to develop a sense of belonging. Pupils learn to respect the many different cultures that are an important part of the school’s identity. They enjoy celebrating different cultures formally through events like the school's 'Culture Day'. The school is a safe space where pupils develop their ambitions and the life skills with which they can positively contribute to society. Leaders encourage pupils to broaden their horizons through a sound personal development programme. Pupils strive to complete the ‘10 by 10’ initiative, which guarantees 10 distinct experiences, ranging from yoga to chess, by the end of Year 10. Staff encourage pupils to express their thoughts and opinions clearly and confidently. Pupils demonstrate a positive attitude towards their studies and show a genuine desire to succeed. The school maintains a calm atmosphere where pupils can thrive and learn without distraction. They show consistent respect for their teachers and their peers. Pupils trust that staff handle instances of bullying effectively. Because pupils feel safe and happy at school, most attend regularly. Pupils who do not attend as well receive excellent support to help them to attend more regularly.

What the school should improve

• Leaders should ensure that information about the school's work is used with precision to check its implementation and impact. This will help to ensure, for example, that pupils benefit fully from the broadening personal development offer and any adaptations made to the curriculum and teaching to support specific barriers to learning.

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