Footsteps Trust, London
Footsteps Trust is an independent school for pupils aged 12 to 16 in London. It was rated Good at its last graded Ofsted inspection, in June 2025.
- Ofsted
- Good (2025)
Data last updated 26 Oct 2026
Footsteps Trust in detail
Footsteps Trust in its own words
In its own words: "At Footsteps Trust, our vision is to create a transformative educational environment where every student is empowered to achieve their fullest potential. We aspire to be a beacon of excellence, fostering a community that values diversity, innovation and lifelong learning. Inspiring Academic Excellence: Providing a rigorous and engaging curriculum that challenges students to think critically and creatively."
From the headteacher's welcome: ""Footsteps provides a direct opportunity to improve the life expectations, opportunities and outcomes for youngsters in desperate need of support, guidance and kindness!" - Chris Hall, Founder/Principal At Footsteps Trust, we believe in nurturing the potential of every individual who walks through our doors."
Vision and values (school website)Headteacher's welcome (school website)
Source: The school's own website
Results
The Department for Education's GCSE measures do not count IGCSEs, which many independent schools take instead of GCSEs, so the Attainment 8 and English and maths figures it publishes for Footsteps Trust can understate its results. We do not rank or compare them; ask the school for its own GCSE and IGCSE results.
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other independent schools to Footsteps Trust are Greek Secondary School of London (0.6 miles, Good); Palmers Green High School (1.5 miles, selective); Assunnah Primary School (1.5 miles, Good); and Focus 1st Academy (1.6 miles, Good).
Greek Secondary School of LondonPalmers Green High SchoolAssunnah Primary SchoolFocus 1st Academy
Who goes there
In 2026, 6 pupils (17.6%) received SEN support and 9 (26.5%) had an education, health and care plan.
Getting there
The nearest Underground station is Wood Green Underground Station, about 1070 metres away (roughly a 13-minute walk).
7 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Sylvan Avenue (->s), 230 metres away.
The area around the school
Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood Footsteps Trust stands in is among the 20% most deprived neighbourhoods in England. On income deprivation affecting children it is in the 4th decile, where the 1st is the most deprived. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.
Sources: DfE school performance data (averages: state mainstream schools); DfE school census and special educational needs statistics; NaPTAN (Department for Transport); English Indices of Deprivation 2025 (MHCLG); data.police.uk street-level crime
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 1 year agoOverall
Quality of Education
Behaviour & Attitudes
Personal Development
Leadership & Management
Safeguarding: effective
Independent school standards
Met all the independent school standards.
- Part 1: quality of educationMet
- Part 2: pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural developmentMet
- Part 3: welfare, health and safetyMet
- Part 4: suitability of staff and proprietorsMet
- Part 5: premises and accommodationMet
- Part 6: information for parentsMet
- Part 7: handling of complaintsMet
- Part 8: leadership and managementMet
Source: Ofsted, non-association independent schools inspections and outcomes (Open Government Licence)
Ofsted Insights
From Ofsted's June 2025 inspection report.
What This School Does Well
Footsteps Trust excels at supporting pupils who struggle with behaviour and attendance by combining clear expectations with genuine care and understanding. The school helps pupils develop resilience and confidence through a calm, respectful environment where relationships between staff and pupils are prioritised. Pupils learn important social skills and are well-prepared for their next steps in education and careers through a strong personal development programme.
Key Strengths
- Caring and dedicated staff who create a warm, nurturing environment where pupils feel safe and supported
- Strong behaviour management approach based on building relationships, resulting in a calm atmosphere and respectful interactions
- Effective support for pupils' mental health, emotional well-being and social skills development
- Secure systems for identifying and supporting pupils with special educational needs
- Structured reading programme helping pupils develop comprehension and fluency
Areas for Improvement
- Staff do not consistently check what pupils understand during lessons, limiting some pupils' ability to deepen their subject knowledge
- Need to maximise opportunities to revisit and extend pupils' learning
- School is fine-tuning approaches to inspire pupils' enthusiasm and love of reading
Safeguarding
Safeguarding arrangements are effective, with staff skilled at spotting signs pupils may need extra help including mental health support.
Extracurricular Activities
Trips and visits to museums, animal centres and places of worship including local Gurdwara, sporting events, assemblies and presentations from external providers on careers and life skills
Footsteps Trust is an independent school for pupils aged 12-16 who need support with behaviour, attitudes and attendance. The school was judged as Good overall, with effective safeguarding arrangements and strong pastoral support.
At a Glance
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 5 nearby schools
Keep up with Footsteps Trust
Getting There
Bus Stops
Safety and surroundings
Road collisions within 500 m (2021 to 2025)
- Collisions
- 44
- Fatal
- 0
- Serious
- 4
- Children hurt
- 4
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 44 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 4 serious and 40 slight.
4 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt: 1 on foot, 1 on a bicycle and 2 in a vehicle or otherwise.
10 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included.
The typical figure for schools in Haringey is 119 (the median across 97 schools, same distance and years).
Serious and slight counts use the Department for Transport's severity adjustment, which allows for changes in how police forces record injuries; they are estimates, rounded to whole numbers. Distances are in a straight line. Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19), Open Government Licence v3.0.
Commute and house prices
Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
43%
Available places
34 pupils
80 places
46 spare places
as recorded on GIAS
Area Demand Pressure - London
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for London
Across Haringey council
Places available
2,574
Applications
2,285
Got 1st preference
76.8%
Got preferred school
96.9%
All secondary applications across Haringey council (2026/27), not just this school.
Inspection History(4)
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
6
SEN Support
9
EHC Plans
44.1%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Pupils by Need Type
No need-level breakdown available
Pupil Demographics
Key Indicators
34
Total Pupils
27
Boys
7
Girls
2026 academic year
Feeder Primary Schools
Primary schools that likely feed into this school, based on proximity
Footsteps Trust
Showing 10 of 15 linked schools
Questions parents ask about Footsteps Trust
What are GCSE results like at Footsteps Trust?
The Department for Education's GCSE measures do not count IGCSEs, which many independent schools take instead of GCSEs, so the Attainment 8 and English and maths figures it publishes for Footsteps Trust can understate its results. We do not rank or compare them; ask the school for its own GCSE and IGCSE results.
What is Footsteps Trust's Ofsted rating?
Footsteps Trust was rated Good at its most recent Ofsted inspection in June 2025.
Does Footsteps Trust meet the independent school standards?
At its most recent standard inspection, in June 2025, Footsteps Trust met all the independent school standards.
How many pupils go to Footsteps Trust?
Footsteps Trust has around 34 pupils on roll.
How do I apply to Footsteps Trust?
Footsteps Trust is an independent school and runs its own admissions rather than going through the local authority. Contact the school directly for entry requirements, assessment dates, fees and any bursaries.
How many road collisions happen near Footsteps Trust?
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 44 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 4 serious and 40 slight. 4 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt: 1 on foot, 1 on a bicycle and 2 in a vehicle or otherwise. 10 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included. The typical figure for schools in Haringey is 119 (the median across 97 schools, same distance and years).
Where is Footsteps Trust?
Footsteps Trust is at New River Sports Centre, White Hart Lane, London, N22 5QW.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)