Welcome to One Degree Academy
One Degree Academy is an innovative school. We opened in September 2016 and were graded outstanding in all areas by Ofsted in February 2019 and December 2024. We are designed around the idea that tiny changes can have profound effects and that a committed focus on seemingly small details leads to continuous and sustained improvement. In short, we know that any giant leap to success is preceded by lots of small steps.
We aim for our academic achievements to be amongst the best in the country and for our students to have a life of choice and opportunity, becoming successful employees, citizens and family members. We are proud to have created an environment where our students are happy, inspired and eager to attend every day.
We also aim for our students and staff to strive constantly for excellence. In our small community, ODA adults spend time ensuring that each student is known and cared for. We firmly believe in scholarship and aim for every student, no matter what their background, to be given the ambition and the practical tools to succeed both academically and personally.
Our aspirations for One Degree Academy are simple and ambitious: through our persistent focus on the actions necessary for great teaching and learning, every One Degree Academy student will develop the knowledge, character attributes and cultural capital to succeed at university, enjoy a fruitful career, and have the tools to lead a great life.
One Degree Academy is an innovative school. We opened in September 2016 and were graded outstanding in all areas by Ofsted in February 2019 and December 2024. We are designed around the idea that tiny changes can have profound effects and that a committed focus on seemingly small details leads to continuous and sustained improvement. In short, we know that any giant leap to success is preceded by lots of small steps.
We aim for our academic achievements to be amongst the best in the country and for our students to have a life of choice and opportunity, becoming successful employees, citizens and family members. We are proud to have created an environment where our students are happy, inspired and eager to attend every day.
We also aim for our students and staff to strive constantly for excellence. In our small community, ODA adults spend time ensuring that each student is known and cared for. We firmly believe in scholarship and aim for every student, no matter what their background, to be given the ambition and the practical tools to succeed both academically and personally.
Our aspirations for One Degree Academy are simple and ambitious: through our persistent focus on the actions necessary for great teaching and learning, every One Degree Academy student will develop the knowledge, character attributes and cultural capital to succeed at university, enjoy a fruitful career, and have the tools to lead a great life.
Values and Ethos
Why do we exist?
We exist to develop in all our students the knowledge, attributes and aspirations to succeed at university, enjoy a fruitful career, and the tools to lead a great life.
How do we behave?
Whatever it takes, we STRIVE for excellence, step by step.
Every system and process in our school is built around the following core values, which are lived by our staff and instilled in our students:
- Scholarship – we focus relentlessly on academic achievement, great learning and continuous improvement to get results. We show a zest for new learning.
- Teamwork – we work together to overcome difficulties. When one of us succeeds, we all do.
- Responsibility – we take ownership of our actions, caring for each other and for our environment. We look to ourselves to do what’s right or to find solutions. We do what needs to be done.
- Integrity – we are honest, kind and open with our community in everything we do. We treat everyone as we want to be treated: with respect.
- Value – we are useful and kind, adding what we do to the conversation of humanity. We embrace new opportunities to develop wisdom.
- Effort – we never give up on trying to improve – even when it’s hard. We know there are no shortcuts: achievement comes with practice, step-by-step.
How will we succeed? The ‘4 Cs’
- Core Knowledge – we develop powerful knowledge which leads to academic success.
- Character Attributes – we foster character strengths and attributes necessary to lead a great life.
- Cultural Capital – we raise aspirations and aim to broaden horizons.
- Care – we ensure that staff and student well-being underpins everything, through safe and effective processes.
The Story of Adnan Jaffery and the Founding of One Degree Academy
A Vision Born from Purpose One Degree Academy stands today as the embodiment of Adnan Jaffery's unwavering vision: creating an outstanding school where students from all backgrounds could thrive and excel.
The Dream
This story begins with the passion and determination of one extraordinary man. A visionary with an unshakable belief in education's transformative power, Adnan Jaffery was driven by a profound mission: ensuring every child, regardless of background, had access to exceptional education that would set them up for lifelong success.
As a banker at Citibank, Adnan witnessed firsthand the stark disparities in educational opportunities available to children from different socioeconomic backgrounds. He recognised that while some students had access to top-tier schooling, others—often just streets away—were left behind due to systemic inequalities. Rather than accepting this reality, Adnan resolved to change it.
He observed many young people leaving school without the grades needed for further education—qualifications that could lead to university and break the cycle of poverty. In 2009, inspired by Business in the Community (a charity established by the then Prince of Wales), he founded a tutoring and mentoring programme to help 16-year-olds improve their academic performance and develop self-belief. This initiative became One Degree, symbolising the idea that even a small change in trajectory could create profound long-term impact.
Adnan believed passionately that young people needed strong role models to guide them towards success. His incredibly charismatic personality helped him build a network of like-minded individuals who shared his passion for education. In early 2010, I was one such person. Adnan persuaded me, a senior partner at EY, to collaborate with him in developing the mentoring programme.
The Promise
Tragically, in 2010, Adnan fell ill. During a November hospital visit, he asked me to continue the One Degree charity should anything happen to him. I assured him, "I'm sure you're going to get better, but yes, I will."
Adnan then shared that the government had committed to establishing Free Schools, which would allow non-educators to create innovative educational institutions. He asked me to promise I would establish a school aimed at providing opportunity for all, naming it One Degree Academy. I hesitated, explaining I knew neither educators nor government officials, and didn't even have children of my own. Adnan simply asked, "Will you promise me to at least try?" I agreed.
On 8 January 2011, Adnan passed away from a rare form of cancer. He was just 32 years old.
Later that month, I gathered Adnan's friends, colleagues, and supporters to seek help in realising his vision for both the mentoring charity and founding a school. Several supported the One Degree mentoring programme, which remains active today, having helped over 820 students, with me serving as Chairman. More information can be found at www.myonedegree.org.
However, no one at the meeting was willing to assist with establishing the school.
Building the Team
I spent the next 18 months searching for people who could help realise Adnan's vision for One Degree Academy. In 2012, I was introduced to Hassan Damluji, who had been working on education projects at McKinsey, and Jacob Kestner, who worked at TeachFirst, an organisation training high-achieving graduates to teach in disadvantaged schools. This core group of three recruited ten experienced educationalists who, together with Adnan's uncle Syed, submitted a proposal to the government for ODA in March 2014. By September, we received news our proposal had succeeded, and a school would be built in South Edmonton.
The team brought on Joe Howlet as project director and recruited Aidan Sadgrove to serve as ODA's first Principal.
Overcoming Obstacles
In early 2016, we were informed the school couldn't open due to site issues, seemingly ending the process. Undeterred, I took a year's leave from my job, and together with the team, we continued advocating with the Department for Education. Eventually, we received permission to open within another new school, Heron Hall in Ponders End. One Degree Academy officially opened its doors in September 2016.
In 2019, Ofsted conducted an inspection and rated the school as Outstanding in all five categories. This remarkable achievement helped ODA secure a permanent site in Chase Farm, first moving to a temporary location nearby. In 2021, Aidan became Executive Principal of a multi-academy trust in Yorkshire, joined the ODA board, and Jo Addleton was appointed Principal.
In 2022, ODA opened its permanent site. Under Jo's leadership, the school maintained its Outstanding rating in its second Ofsted inspection. Today, One Degree Academy ranks among the top 3% of all Primary schools nationwide.
A Vision Realised
Establishing a school from scratch presented countless challenges. From securing Department of Education funding to finding the ideal location, building a team of passionate educators, and navigating the government's rigorous approval process, each step required determination and perseverance. But Adnan's inspiring vision motivated others to continue his mission, gradually transforming what once seemed an impossible dream into reality.
One Degree Academy now stands as the realisation of Adnan's vision—a school committed to ensuring every child graduates with the skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to thrive in the world and lead a fulfilling life. By emphasising high expectations, exceptional teaching, and fostering a culture of relentless ambition, the academy has established itself as a beacon of educational excellence.
The success of ODA testifies to Adnan's vision and tenacity. He didn't simply build a school; he created a movement. Today, One Degree Academy serves as a model of what becomes possible when education drives social change. For everyone fortunate enough to participate in this journey, Adnan Jaffery's legacy continues to inspire, reminding us why we do what we do—because every child deserves nothing less than the very best.
— Riaz Shah, Chair of Trustees