Ofsted says JCoSS is close to being outstanding and should undergo a full inspection to see if it has reached the top grade.
A short inspection concluded that the cross-communal high school in East Barnet remains a good school.
The Orthodox Hasmonean Primary School in Hendon has also retained its status as a good school after a similar short visit from Ofsted.
Good schools receive a short, one-day visit from inspectors after four years and are subject to a subsequent full inspection only if problems are identified or, in the case of JCoSS, where improvements have taken it to the verge of becoming outstanding.
Ofsted told JCoSS headteacher Patrick Moriarty that he and his staff were providing the “best academic and pastoral care” for students and translated high expectations into exam results.
Noting “consistently well above” average progress, Ofsted commented: “In 2018, at the end of year 11, pupils’ progress from key stage 2 was in the top 20 per cent in the country.
“The number of students in the sixth form whose examination results are well above average has also remained high year on year, with the average grade being a B and 38 per cent of all grades being at A* or A.”
For disadvantaged pupils, its GCSE maths results were in the top 20 per cent in the country.
Teachers had demonstrated an improved understanding of pupils’ performance since the last inspection and additional staff had been recruited to help those who needed to catch up in English and maths.
As for further progress, Ofsted recommended improvements in modern languages and PE.
Writing to parents, Mr Moriarty said, “None of us at JCoSS are in it for the shiny badge of Ofsted or of league tables – but it is very good when the accountability systems show us as the wonderful school that we are.”
Dr Alan Shaw, headteacher of Hasmonean Primary, and its chairman Dan Sacker said retention of its good grade was a “fantastic result, particularly when you consider that the level needed to receive a ‘good’ grading today is significantly higher than it was when Ofsted last inspected the school in March 2015.”
Ofsted told Dr Shaw he continued to provide “committed leadership”, supported by a stable team.
“This is a high-attaining school in which pupils enjoy their learning. Since the previous inspection, pupils’ progress and attainment at the end of key stage two in reading and mathematics have been well above national averages,” the post-inspection letter said.
Writing had improved since recommendations from the previous inspection, although writing in year six progress was not as good as in reading and maths.
While pupils performed strongly in mental and written calculations in maths, Ofsted wanted to see more development of problem-solving skills.
Hasmonean has also acted on the previous report by improving pupils’ understanding of different faiths and cultures. “Leaders have forged links with a Catholic primary school to broaden pupils’ understanding of those with different beliefs,” Ofsted said. “Through this link, pupils write letters to pen pals and meet pupils to learn about their religious practices.”
