Alec Reed Academy Review 2026: Enterprise at the Core

From the nursery sandpit to the professional recording studio, Alec Reed Academy offers a seamless fifteen-year journey on a single campus in Northolt. Established by Sir Alec Reed, founder of the Reed recruitment empire, the school retains a distinctive ethos centred on enterprise and ambition. This is not a standard community school; it is a purpose-built all-through academy where the boundaries between phases are deliberately blurred to create a cohesive educational path.

The architecture reflects this unity, with primary, secondary, and sixth form facilities integrated around shared specialist resources like the John Roan Theatre and the sports centre. Rated Good by the 2023 Ofsted inspection, the academy serves a diverse local community with a clear promise: that background should be no barrier to success. With nearly 1,900 students on site, it operates with the scale of a small village, yet the internal structure of "schools within a school" aims to keep the experience personal.

Walk past the reception and the enterprise legacy is immediately visible. This is a school that values practical capability alongside academic theory. The environment is modern and functional, designed to mimic a professional workplace rather than a Victorian institution. The "Arc" building and the "Zeppelin" digital media suite provide focal points for a community that values performance and digital skills.

Mr Phil Cosby, the Principal and CEO since 2020, leads with a philosophy that emphasises stability and progression. The advantage of the all-through model is palpable in the atmosphere; Year 7s arriving in September often know the corridors already, stripping away the anxiety that usually plagues the secondary transition.

The culture is grounded in the "ARA Way"—a code of conduct that prioritises respect and readiness to learn. Staff describe a firm but fair approach to discipline, necessary in a school of this size. Uniform standards are high, with the distinctive blue blazers creating a visual thread that connects a five-year-old in Reception to a sixteen-year-old prefect.

Academic outcomes at Alec Reed Academy paint a picture of a school that adds significant value, particularly in the earlier phases.

Primary Phase

In the primary phase, pupils perform consistently well. In 2024, 69% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing, and mathematics combined, exceeding the England average of 62%. The school’s performance is particularly notable at the higher standard, where 21% of pupils demonstrated greater depth in all three subjects, more than double the England average of 8%.

Ranked 53rd among 87 primaries in Ealing (FindMySchool ranking), the primary phase delivers solid foundations. Reading is a specific strength, with an average scaled score of 104 (England average: 100).

Secondary Phase

Moving into the secondary phase, the focus shifts to progress. The 2024 Progress 8 score of +0.24 indicates that students make above-average progress from their starting points compared to peers across England. This is a crucial metric for parents, suggesting effective teaching that pushes students beyond their expected trajectory.

Raw attainment is solid, with an Attainment 8 score of 43.3. However, the rigorous academic core of the EBacc proves more challenging, with 9.6% of students achieving a strong pass (Grade 5+) in the full suite of subjects. The academy ranks 2,552nd in England for GCSE outcomes, placing it in the national typical band (middle 35%).

Sixth Form

At A-level, the picture is mixed. The average grade profile sits in the national lower band. In 2024, 39% of grades were A*-B, compared to the England average of 47%. While 17% of entries secured A grades or higher, the academy is not an academic hothouse. It suits students seeking a supportive transition to university or employment rather than those solely focused on elite league tables.

The curriculum is designed as a continuum. Teachers in the primary phase benefit from access to secondary specialists in science, languages, and PE, a structural advantage that enriches the Key Stage 2 experience. By the time pupils reach Year 7, they are often already familiar with the laboratories and sports facilities.

In the secondary phase, teaching follows a structured, knowledge-rich approach. Lessons are purposeful, with a strong emphasis on "Do Now" tasks and clear learning objectives. The enterprise specialism weaves through the curriculum, not just in business studies but in the way subjects are applied. Mathematics might involve financial literacy contexts; English lessons often include public speaking and presentation skills.

Support for Special Educational Needs is robust, with the "Discovery Centre" providing a hub for students requiring additional help. The teaching staff are experienced in scaffolding complex concepts, ensuring that the ambitious curriculum remains accessible to the comprehensive intake.

The all-through nature means the most common destination for Year 6 pupils is the academy's own Year 7, providing a stress-free transition for families.

For Sixth Form leavers, the enterprise focus translates into diverse pathways. In 2024, 58% of leavers progressed to university, while 14% moved directly into employment—a figure significantly higher than the national norm, reflecting the school's career-focused ethos. While the academy does not publish a full list of university destinations, students regularly secure places at local universities and employment partners connected to the Reed network.

Admissions are coordinated by Ealing Council. The academy is a popular choice for local families, and competition for places is real.

Primary Entry (Reception)

For the 2024 intake, the primary phase was oversubscribed, receiving 121 applications for 60 places (2.0 applications per place). Families should apply via the Ealing Common Application Form by the 15 January deadline.

Secondary Entry (Year 7)

Entry into Year 7 is even more competitive, with the academy receiving 247 applications for 101 external places in 2024 (2.5 applications per place). It is important to note that pupils already in the academy's primary phase automatically transfer to Year 7, reducing the number of spots available for external applicants.

The academy operates a fair banding system for Year 7 entry to ensure a comprehensive intake across the ability range. Applicants must sit a cognitive ability test in December, used solely for banding purposes, not selection. Places are then allocated within each band based on distance.

The pastoral system is built around "Year Groups" led by Heads of Year who stay with their cohort as they move up the school. This continuity allows staff to build genuine relationships with families.

Wellbeing is supported by a dedicated Safer Schools Officer and a team of learning mentors. The academy takes a proactive stance on mental health, with "Talk Time" sessions and peer mentoring programmes. Bullying is taken seriously; parents generally report that when issues arise, they are dealt with swiftly using restorative approaches.

The "Enterprise" specialism comes alive outside the classroom. The academy runs unique "Enterprise Days" where students work on business challenges, often pitched to external judges. Primary pupils enjoy "Dazzle Days" at the end of each half term, exploring themes like "Young Entrepreneurs".

Sport is a major pillar of academy life. The on-site Community Sports Centre offers facilities that rival many independent schools, including a large sports hall, dance studio, and climbing wall. Football, basketball, and athletics teams compete regularly in borough leagues.

Creativity flourishes in the John Roan Theatre, which hosts annual productions involving students from all phases. Music tuition is available, and the steel pan band is a particular highlight, performing at school and community events. Unusually for a state school, there is also an Ocarina club for younger pupils.

This is a state-funded academy, and there are no tuition fees for students from Reception to Year 13.

Parents should be aware of standard costs such as uniforms, school trips, and individual music lessons. For the nursery provision, government-funded hours are available for eligible 3 and 4-year-olds; families should check the school website for specific details on top-up fees for additional hours.

The school day runs from 8:30am to 3:00pm, though the site remains busy well into the evening with clubs and community use. Located on Bengarth Road in Northolt, the campus is well-served by public transport. Northolt Tube station (Central Line) and Northolt Park (Chiltern Railways) are both within walking distance. Several bus routes, including the 282 and 90, stop directly outside.

Wraparound care is available for primary pupils, with breakfast club starting at 7:45am and after-school provision running until 5:45pm, supporting working parents.

Size and Scale: With nearly 1,900 students, the campus is large and busy. While the "schools within a school" model helps, it can feel overwhelming for quieter children compared to a small primary school.

Mixed Sixth Form Results: While progress in the main school is strong, A-level attainment is currently in the national lower band. Ambitious students aiming for elite Russell Group courses may need to weigh the benefits of continuity against sixth form colleges with a more singular academic focus.

Internal Progression: External places for Year 7 are limited because primary pupils move up automatically. Families living further away may find it harder to secure a secondary place if they did not join at Reception.

Alec Reed Academy is a powerful example of the all-through model working for its community. It combines the warmth of a primary school with the facilities and ambition of a large secondary academy. The result is a stable, supportive environment where students make strong progress from 3 to 16. Best suited to families in Northolt seeking a long-term educational home where enterprise skills are valued as highly as exam certificates. The main challenge is securing a place in Year 7 if you are not already in the primary phase.