School that lost pupils in Grenfell Tower blaze granted 'outstanding' Ofsted

A school which lost several pupils in the Grenfell Tower fire and had to move premises has been awarded the highest possible Ofsted rating.

Kensington Aldridge Academy (KAA), which sat at the foot of the 24-storey block, was rated “outstanding” in every category, with teachers praised for creating a culture where pupils are “bold, fearless and undaunted”.

Its motto, “Intrepidus”, is at the heart of the school, the inspectors’ report said, and pupils are hard-working, resilient and confident.

After the blaze in June pupils were divided between two nearby schools until the end of term.

In September the 960 pupils moved into temporary school buildings in Shepherd’s Bush.

The Ofsted report, the school’s first since opening in September 2014, said what the school has achieved and sustained is “remarkable”.

It said: “Leaders and staff have shown determination, resilience and commitment in steering the school through what happened after the Grenfell Tower fire.”

It added: “The challenges of helping pupils and staff manage the emotional and psychological consequences of the aftermath of the Grenfell Tower fire have been carefully managed. Counselling and therapeutic sessions for staff and pupils continue so as to ensure that effective support is provided.”

The Grenfell fire caused 71 deaths. Four of the victims were pupils at the academy, and one was a student who had recently left.

Individual assemblies were held at the school to remember each of the children.

The morning after the blaze, 56 KAA students turned up to sit their AS-level maths exams in a hastily rearranged exam hall. 42 per cent of all students achieved A*-B grades in all subjects.

Kai Chappell, KAA’s head boy, received four A-grade AS levels.

Speaking on results day, he said: “I’m really happy and proud of my results — and there are lots of smiling faces around which is really great to see.”

David Benson, principal at KAA, said, “I’m delighted for students, parents and staff with this news, which comes at the end of a very tough year for the academy.

“It’s important for our community to know they have a school at their heart which, in Ofsted’s words, delivers not just outstanding but ‘exceptional’ outcomes.”