Stepney All Saints is one of the schools in our Portal Trust family. Recently, it became one of the first in the UK to receive 5 'Exceptional' ratings under the new Ofsted rules.
We’re very proud to share that Stepney All Saints CE Secondary School (SASS) has received an ‘Exceptional’ Ofsted report. This is the highest possible result under the new 2026 inspection framework.
It’s a massive achievement for any school, but it’s especially significant here. Stepney All Saints serves an inner-city community where over 48% of students receive free school meals, yet it’s now officially recognised as one of the best schools in the country.
In light of this great news, we took a trip to Stepney to catch up with the Headteacher, Ben Siaw, and some of his students to find out what makes the school so successful…
From the moment you walk in, the school feels warm and well-ordered. Instead of a loud bell, classical music plays through the corridors to help students move quietly and calmly to their next class.
If it isn’t good enough for my child, it isn’t good enough for our students
Ben Siaw
Headteacher at Stepney All Saints
In the Ofsted report, pupils described the school as a ‘family’. When we spoke to Ben, he explained that they have worked to embed a strong culture of inclusion into the school. At SASS, every student is given the same opportunities, regardless of their background or any extra learning support they may need.
Ben has a simple rule: “If it isn’t good enough for my child, it isn’t good enough for our students”. This empathetic way of working means that every child is expected to do their best and is given the right tools to get there. Whether it’s through providing the latest software or ensuring every student has a laptop, the school works hard to eliminate barriers to learning.
One thing the Ofsted inspectors appreciated was the school’s ‘rich programme’ of trips and activities. From after-school clubs to international trips to places like Spain and Barbados, SASS makes sure learning happens outside the classroom too.
The Portal Trust is proud to fund many of these opportunities. Because of our partnership, every single Year 9 student gets to go on a trip to Argoed Lwyd Outdoor Centre in Wales with all costs fully paid for so that no child is excluded.
For some students, these trips are the first time they have ever stayed outside of London. They also play an important role in improving wellbeing, development and opening student’s minds to other environments.
What the students say
To get a true sense of life at SASS, we spoke to two students about their favourite parts of school.
A Year 10 student shared that his standout memory was the Year 9 residential trip to Argoed Lwyd. Having never been on a trip like that before, he loved the challenge of hiking and the excitement of exploring caves for the very first time.
A Year 9 student told us how much he enjoys the variety of clubs and the school's welcoming atmosphere. As an Enrichment Ambassador, he plays a key role in helping his classmates get involved in activities like climbing the O2. He also shared how much he values the school’s support for everyone’s faith, noting that the worship services are a great way for students to discuss their different backgrounds and support each other.
Ben believes that ‘Exceptional’ schools are built on more than just results. For them, it’s about creating a culture where students feel safe, eat good food, and have access to amazing opportunities. When students feel cared for and respected, they engage more with their lessons which leads to excellent behaviour and the highest attendance rates in the borough.
As Ben explains, the high expectations at SASS are ‘behind the culture, not behind the behaviour policy’.
We’re so proud to work so closely with Stepney All Saints. Every year, this partnership directly supports 1,500 students in East London, helping to make sure that every child has the chance to thrive and reach their full potential.