NLCS Material Change Inspection report 2026

Material change inspection report 25 June 2026

North London Collegiate School Canons Canons Drive Edgware HA8 7RJ

The Independent Schools Inspectorate is appointed by the Department for Education to inspect association independent schools in England. Our inspections report on the extent to which the statutory Independent School Standards and other applicable regulatory requirements are met, collectively referred to in this report as ‘the Standards’.

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Inspection outcome The school has submitted a material change request to increase the maximum number of pupils from 1130 to 1180.

The school is likely to meet the relevant independent school Standards if the material change is implemented. It is recommended that the material change be approved.

Inspection findings Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils ISSR paragraphs 7(a) and 7(b), 11, 12, 14, 16 1. The school’s safeguarding procedures are effective in providing appropriate support for pupils’ needs. Safeguarding procedures are implemented appropriately to safeguard children and pupils who may be at risk of harm.

2. Safeguarding leaders communicate effectively with local safeguarding partners about any allegations against adults.

3. Staff receive relevant training to ensure that their knowledge is up to date. Staff understand their responsibilities in relation to safeguarding and show appropriate awareness of the staff code of conduct and safeguarding procedures. They know how to report concerns relating to the ‘Prevent’ duty that relates to risks of radicalisation and extremism.

4. Staff follow the school’s procedures appropriately to report any low-level concerns about themselves or other staff. They are knowledgeable about current statutory guidance, including Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE), recent updates to Working Together to Safeguard Children (WTTSC) and Restrictive interventions, including use of reasonable force, in schools. Staff know whom to go to if they have a concern. They are clear that they must always act in the best interests of the child. Staff also know that they can make a referral to children’s services if necessary.

Leaders and staff have an effective understanding of the local guidance on reporting child-on-child abuse.

5. In preparation for the proposed increase in the number of senior school pupils, leaders have already increased opportunities for pupils to speak to school counsellors. Leaders train senior school pupils to be peer mentors who provide support for younger pupils in the school. Pupils can also raise any issues or worries by using online forms which provide access to support from senior pastoral staff.

6. Leaders educate pupils about keeping safe online and on the roads and in the parks surrounding the school. They implement an effective internet filtering and monitoring system. Records are regularly viewed by the safeguarding team and a governors’ committee. Pupils’ safety in school is supported by the effectiveness of the security in place and the high visibility and approachability of staff.

7. Suitable recruitment procedures for staff are clearly set out within the safeguarding policy.

8. Leaders with particular responsibilities for safeguarding monitor vulnerable pupils effectively.

Suitable communication is maintained with parents or carers where appropriate. Suitable risk assessment procedures are in place for determining where immediate action is required when safeguarding issues arise, including referral to local agencies when appropriate. Safeguarding records are detailed and are kept confidential. Pupils receive early help to address risks and to help prevent issues escalating. The safeguarding team has the capacity to cater for the proposed maximum number of pupils. © Independent Schools Inspectorate 2026

North London Collegiate School – June 2026

3 9. Governors provide effective oversight of safeguarding, including through an annual review. There is regular contact between those with safeguarding responsibilities and the nominated governor.

Governors draw on professional advice to further reassure themselves that procedures are up to date and correctly implemented.

10. The training for the safeguarding leaders is up to date and in line with local requirements. Training for teaching and non-teaching staff is appropriate and also tailored to particular roles, for example coach chaperones or ground staff.

11. Effective health and safety arrangements are in place. Leaders and staff responsible for health and safety take methodical and systematic steps to ensure that all required checks and maintenance are in place.

12. Leaders have drawn up a suitable fire risk policy. An appropriately qualified independent professional conducts a fire risk assessment of the premises and any recommendations are implemented in a timely manner. Fire safety equipment is suitably maintained and termly fire drills carried out and recorded.

13. Pupils are appropriately supervised. Leaders have adjusted supervision arrangements to reflect the proposed increase in school numbers. Effective security protocols are in place to prevent access to the school grounds or buildings. Traffic is well managed at the start and end of the school day.

14. Staff with particular responsibility for risk assessment identify potential risks to pupils in routine and other activities such as residential and overseas trips. They take effective steps to mitigate such risks. Risk assessments are detailed and thorough and, when appropriate, evaluated by organisers and school leaders.

15. The school is likely to continue to meet the Standards if the material change is implemented.

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors ISSR paragraphs 18, 19, 20, 21 16. The school’s recruitment procedures are effectively implemented. All the required safer recruitment checks on staff and governors are carried out and completed before they take up their posts.

Volunteers in regulated activity are checked as appropriate to their roles. Contractors send the school up-to-date information on checks they have undertaken on their employees, and the school makes appropriate further checks on arrival. Adults living on school premises are appropriately checked.

17. The school correctly maintains an accurate single central record of appointments (SCR) which includes the dates on which all checks have been completed.

18. The school is likely to continue to meet the Standards if the material change is implemented.

Part 5. Premises of and accommodation at schools ISSR paragraphs 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29 19. Leaders ensure that suitable toilet, changing and shower facilities are provided and that appropriate accommodation is available for pupils’ medical and therapy needs. Acoustics, lighting and water provision are appropriate. There is suitable external space for pupils’ physical education and recreational play. Leaders have made adjustments to the use of some rooms to provide additional teaching spaces. Buildings and grounds are maintained to an appropriate standard. Leaders review the use of accommodation to ensure that they meet the needs of pupils. Leaders have also reviewed © Independent Schools Inspectorate 2026

North London Collegiate School – June 2026

4 the accommodation to ensure its suitability to cater for the proposed increase in the number of pupils.

20. The school is likely to continue to meet the Standards if the material change is implemented.

Part 6. Provision of information ISSR paragraph 32(1)(c) 21. The particulars of the arrangements for safeguarding pupils are provided to parents on the school’s website.

22. The school is likely to continue to meet the Standards if the material change is implemented.

Part 8. Quality of leadership and management of schools ISSR paragraph 34 23. Governors and leaders regularly review policies and the effectiveness of their implementation. They ensure that appropriate policies and procedures are implemented, including with regard to safeguarding, health and safety, fire safety, supervision and management of risk. Leaders demonstrate good skills and knowledge and carry out their responsibilities effectively. As a result, the school meets the Standards and promotes pupils’ wellbeing effectively.

24. Governors and leaders have considered in detail the potential consequences of a small increase in capacity in the senior school and planned effectively for the proposed material change. They have enhanced the levels of supervision and have provided increased counselling services for pupils. They have made adjustments to the use of spaces so that the suitability of the environment for teaching, physical education and recreation is likely to be maintained once the proposed material change takes place.

25. The school is likely to continue to meet the Standards if the material change is implemented.

© Independent Schools Inspectorate 2026

North London Collegiate School – June 2026

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School details School

North London Collegiate School

Department for Education number

310/6075

Registered charity number

1115843

Address

North London Collegiate School Canons Canons Drive Edgware Middlesex HA8 7RJ

Phone number

020 8952 0912

Email address

office@ncls.org.uk

Website

www.nlcs.org.uk

Proprietor

North London Collegiate School

Chair

Mrs Gabrielle Gower

Headteacher

Mrs Victoria Bingham

Age range

4 to 18

Number of pupils

1128

Number of children in the early years

40

Date of previous inspection

16 to 18 April 2024

© Independent Schools Inspectorate 2026

North London Collegiate School – June 2026

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Information about the school 26. North London Collegiate School is an independent day school for female pupils situated in Harrow.

The school consists of a junior school for children and pupils aged 4 to 11 years and a senior school for pupils aged 11 to 18 years. It is a registered charity and the trustees are governors. The current chair of governors took up her role in July 2024.

27. The early years setting includes two Reception classes.

28. The school has identified 168 pupils as having special educational needs and/or disabilities. A very small number of pupils in the school have an education, health and care plan.

29. The school has identified no pupils for whom English is an additional language.

30. The school states that its aims are to provide an ambitious academic education to enable every individual pupil to make the most of her intellect and abilities, and to recognise excellence. Leaders seek for pupils to feel valued, supported and encouraged and aim to develop a community that is outward looking, internationally and socially.

Purpose of the material change Inspectors carried out this inspection following an application made by the school to the Department for Education to make a material change to the school’s provision. The purpose of the inspection is to advise the Secretary of State for Education about whether the school is likely to meet the Independent School Standards if the material change is implemented.

© Independent Schools Inspectorate 2026

North London Collegiate School – June 2026

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Inspection details Inspection dates

25 June 2026

31. One reporting inspector visited the school for one day.

32. Inspection activities included 

scrutiny of a range of policies, documentation and records provided by the school and information available on the school’s website

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a tour of the school site to look at provision for increased capacity

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discussions with the chair of governors

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discussions with the headteacher, school leaders, managers and other members of staff

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discussions with pupils.

© Independent Schools Inspectorate 2026

North London Collegiate School – June 2026

8 How are association independent schools in England inspected? 

The Department for Education is the regulator for independent schools in England.

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ISI is approved by the Secretary of State for Education to inspect independent schools in England, which are members of associations in membership of the Independent Schools Council.

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ISI inspections report to the Department for Education on the extent to which the statutory Independent School Standards, the EYFS statutory framework requirements, the National Minimum Standards for boarding schools and any other relevant Standards are met.

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For more information, please visit www.isi.net.

Independent Schools Inspectorate CAP House, 9-12 Long Lane, London, EC1A 9HA For more information, please visit isi.net

© Independent Schools Inspectorate 2026

North London Collegiate School – June 2026