The UK school whose model for educational equity ensures every child thrives
One Degree Academy (ODA), a state-funded nursery and primary school in Enfield, London, is dedicated to providing every child — regardless of socioeconomic background — with an exceptional education, building resilience, and equipping them with the ambition and practical skills to thrive. Across the UK, 4.3 million children currently live in poverty — and in Enfield, around one in three face similar challenges. Despite growing up just streets apart, children from less advantaged backgrounds often experience significantly poorer academic outcomes than their more affluent peers.
Founded on the belief that a postcode should never define a child’s potential, ODA works to break down these barriers and prioritises admissions for children from lower-income families, extending its transformative offer to those who need it most.
ODA’s curriculum is deliberately crafted to ensure every student gains deep mastery of key concepts, knowledge, and skills across all subjects, grounded in a research-informed approach to teaching. Beyond academics, equal importance is placed on character development— encouraging resilience, emotional regulation, and positive behaviour to support mental wellbeing.
Believing that background should never limit opportunity, ODA offers a wide range of high-value after-school activities such as ballet and fencing, alongside exceptional trips and experiences that build cultural capital. Every child learns a musical instrument and participates in swimming lessons, ensuring a rich and well-rounded education.
At the heart of ODA’s ethos is a deep culture of care. The school recognises the essential role families play in a child’s success and provides active support in areas such as housing, food insecurity, and employability — offering everything from CV writing to help accessing essential services. Free school uniforms are also provided where needed, promoting pride, self-worth, and a strong sense of belonging.
Research shows that children from disadvantaged backgrounds often start school several months behind their peers — an achievement gap that can grow if unaddressed. ODA tackles this from the outset with a fully funded, full-time nursery, ensuring every child begins their education with a strong foundation, not behind, but ready to succeed alongside their peers.
Staff wellbeing is a cornerstone of ODA’s success. When teachers feel valued and supported, transformative education follows. The school reduces workload to allow teachers to focus on planning, teaching, and assessing high-quality lessons — creating an energising, collaborative, and positive working environment.
Amid national recruitment and retention challenges, ODA stands apart by offering extensive professional development—14 training days a year (nearly three times the national average) and weekly coaching — ensuring every teacher grows, thrives, and delivers their best.
In December 2024, Ofsted rated One Degree Academy as Outstanding in all areas. Students at ODA consistently achieve outstanding academic outcomes, a reflection of the school’s high expectations and relentless focus on excellence. In 2023/24, ODA significantly outperformed national and local averages across all key stages. For instance, 92% of Year 1 pupils passed the Phonics Screening Check, compared to a national average of 80%. At Key Stage 2 SATs, 88% of students met the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths—well above the national average of 61%. These results place ODA in the top 3% of schools nationally, despite serving a community with high levels of disadvantage.
