A once-struggling north London secondary that set out to become London's most improved school has won a national competition.

The Totteridge Academy was named ‘secondary school of the year’  at the TES Schools Awards 2023 held on June 23.

Following the announcement, the school said wining the award further cemented the “transformation” it had undergone over the past seven years.

In 2016, when it joined national schools group United Learning, the mixed secondary was ranked lowest in the borough for progress made by pupils between leaving primary school and the end of their GCSEs. Education watchdog Ofsted had given it its second-lowest 'requires improvement' rating the year before.

In 2019, it received Ofsted's second-highest 'good' rating and by summer 2022 it had leapfrogged its local competition to sit at the top of the Progress 8 rankings with a score placing it in the highest 1.2% of schools nationally.  

Principal Chris Fairbairn said: “In 2016, we set ourselves the goal of becoming the most improved school in London. 

“After the dedication, hard work, and passion of our students, staff and families to build the incredible learning environment that is The Totteridge Academy, we are bursting with pride to have been recognised as National Secondary School of the Year at this year’s Tes awards.

“Thank you to everyone who has made this possible. It is a privilege to be part of such a wonderful community.”