An Islington secondary school previously placed in special measures has improved by two Ofsted grades.

Highbury Grove school, a non-selective comprehensive in Canonbury, was rated “good” by lead inspector Lisa Strong following a visit in April of this year.

The school was deemed “inadequate” in 2017, after which it was taken over by the City of London Academy trust.

The report described the school as a “calm environment in which pupils can learn without disruption” and was rated “good” across all five of the inspection criteria which include quality of education and sixth form provision.

The school’s 1,178 pupils were said to “feel happy and safe”, and bullying “dealt with swiftly and sensitively” by teachers when reported.  

The report, however, was critical of the school’s special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) provisions.

Despite acknowledging the “high ambition” of subject leaders for SEND pupils, the report said that some teachers do not make appropriate adaptations in their lessons, which affects the progress of these pupils.

Ofsted also recommended that Highbury Grove provide face-to-face phonics instruction for pupils to help with reading as a “helpful addition” to existing support provisions.

Headteacher Aimee Lyall described the school’s improvement as a “truly remarkable transformation”.

She said: “Jumping two Ofsted grades in a single visit is highly unusual. This remarkable turnaround would not have been possible were it not for the support of the inspirational team at City of London Academies Trust.” 

Ms Lyall was promoted to headteacher from deputy following the damming 2017 report, in which lead investigator Helen Matthews described the school as beset by “poor academic progress”.

The report added that “some pupils’ behaviour around the main school site puts other pupils at risk”.

City of London Academies Trust, which manages ten academies, gained control of Highbury Grove in December 2017.

Mark Emmerson, CEO of the Trust, praised Ms Lyall’s “inspirational and skilled leadership”.

He said: “She, along with the supportive governing body, have galvanised the whole school community who have come together to help build such a successful school.

He added: “As always, greater challenges lie ahead in re-establishing Highbury Grove as an outstanding educational provider. This is something we are all committed to achieving.”