SchoolScoresBow School
Community school · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed · Sixth form
44 Twelvetrees Crescent, Bow, London, E3 3QW
020 7536 5525 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 14 March 2018.
This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Good |
| Outcomes for pupils | Good |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Requires improvement |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Sixth form | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 13 September 2023: Ofsted found the school was still Good.
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
23 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 4 September 2023 and 2 September 2024.
Tower Hamlets comparisons use the 6 of its 19 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 13 have no published Parent View results (Ofsted only publishes a survey once at least 10 parents answer) or used Ofsted's newer questions, which we don't compare with the older ones.
| Statement | This school | Tower Hamlets | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school 4th highest of 6 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Tower Hamlets. Higher than 20% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 70% | 82% | 88% |
| My child feels safe at this school 5th highest of 6 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Tower Hamlets. Higher than 21% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 74% | 84% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 4th highest of 6 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Tower Hamlets. Higher than 20% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 61% | 77% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 12 parents whose child had been bullied 4th highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Tower Hamlets. Higher than 0% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 8% | 41% | 49% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 17 parents who had raised a concern 6th highest of 6 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Tower Hamlets. Higher than 5% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 35% | 72% | 75% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 5th highest of 6 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Tower Hamlets. Higher than 15% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 57%said yes | 79% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families. Figures are the share who agree or strongly agree. England figures are all parents answering the same questions over the same period, for state-funded schools. Tower Hamlets figures pool parents at the Tower Hamlets schools compared, from each school's latest survey, so survey dates differ between schools. The scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) agreement, and the dot marks this school among state schools of the same phase that used the same survey questions. The third it falls in is coloured: green for the top third, amber the middle, red the bottom. This survey used Ofsted's previous Parent View questions, which changed in November 2025. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
220 pupils in this year group.
33% — 14 points below the Tower Hamlets average, and 12 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Tower Hamlets | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 33% | 48% | 45% |
| Attainment 8 scoreAverage of each pupil's grades across 8 GCSE-level subjects, with English and maths counted twice. Around 50 means grade 5s on average. | 43.2 | 47.4 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 3.8 | 4.3 | 4.1 |
Progress 8 isn't shown. DfE didn't publish it for 2024/25 because this year group's key stage 2 tests in 2020 were cancelled, and older progress scores aren't comparable.
Source: DfE key stage 4 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
After Year 11
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
223 pupils in this year group.
96% — 2 points above the Tower Hamlets average, and 4 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Tower Hamlets | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 96% | 94% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 58% | 64% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 7% | 3% | 13% |
| Further education college | 29% | 23% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | Not published | 1% | 3% |
| Work | Not published | 1% | 3% |
"Not published": Not published (DfE code SP).
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 92% | 96% |
Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
A levels (16 to 18), 2024/25
42 A level students in this year group.
| Measure | This school | Tower Hamlets | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average A level grade | B | C | B- |
| A level exams graded A* or A | 37% | 19% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 65% | 46% | 53% |
| Average points per A level entryAn A* is 60 points, an A is 50, a B is 40, and so on down to 10 for an E. | 39.1 | 30.9 | 35 |
A level subjects, 2024/25
12 subjects, 127 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
| Subject | Exams | A* | A* or A | England A* or A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 34 | 18% | 38% | 40% |
| Economics | 18 | 28% | 61% | 26% |
| Chemistry | 17 | 6% | 29% | 30% |
| Physics | 13 | 8% | 38% | 31% |
| Computer Studies / Computing | 11 | 0% | 18% | 24% |
| Government and Politics | 10 | 0% | 40% | 26% |
| Psychology | 8 | 0% | 0% | 19% |
| Biology | 7 | 14% | 29% | 27% |
Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: English Literature, Ancient History, Art and Design (Fine Art), Mathematics (Further).
Source: DfE 16 to 18 qualification and subject data, 2024/25.
Source: DfE 16 to 18 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
After sixth form
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
34 students in this year group.
91% — 17 points above the Tower Hamlets average, and 12 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Tower Hamlets | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. | 91% | 74% | 79% |
| Apprenticeship | 3% | 6% | 7% |
| Work | 6% | 24% | 28% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 89% | 91% |
Source: DfE 16 to 18 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Going on to university
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
44 students in this year group.
86% — 27 points above the Tower Hamlets average, and 26 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Tower Hamlets | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 86% | 59% | 60% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 45% | 11% | 19% |
Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 89% | 86% |
Source: DfE 16 to 18 progression to higher education or training, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Admissions
Apply through the council where you live, even if the school is in a different council area. This school is in Tower Hamlets. The national closing date for secondary applications is 31 October, and offers are sent on 1 March.
How hard is it to get in?
For the September 2026 intake there were fewer first-choice applications than places.
| Places offered | 122 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 72 |
| Of those, offered a place | 72 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 265 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.5 · 2025: 0.4 · 2026: 0.6
This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2026 intake.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Tower Hamlets | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 6th highest of 19 state secondary schools in Tower Hamlets. Higher than 95% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 57.5% | 55.4%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 13th highest of 19 state secondary schools in Tower Hamlets. Higher than 59% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 3.3% | 5.1%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 5th highest of 19 state secondary schools in Tower Hamlets. Higher than 61% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 15.3% | 10.9%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 3rd highest of 19 state secondary schools in Tower Hamlets. Higher than 98% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 67.7% | 49.6%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 9th lowest of 18 state secondary schools in Tower Hamlets. Lower than 74% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 6.9% | 6.7%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 9th lowest of 18 state secondary schools in Tower Hamlets. Lower than 73% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 18.6% | 18.5%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 14th lowest of 19 state secondary schools in Tower Hamlets. Lower than 69% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 8.5 | 6.1 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 14th lowest of 19 state secondary schools in Tower Hamlets. Lower than 55% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 6.1% | 3.8% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.04% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher Joint 14th highest of 19 state secondary schools in Tower Hamlets. Higher than 6% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 13.8 | 14.5 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 17th highest of 19 state secondary schools in Tower Hamlets. Higher than 4% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 8.9 | 10.5 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 9th highest of 19 state secondary schools in Tower Hamlets. Higher than 69% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 16.9% | 16.6%* | 14.2%* |
Comparisons are with secondary schools. Scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) figures. For absence and suspensions lower is better, so their scales run green to red; blue scales describe the school's pupils and staff and aren't good or bad. * Calculated by SchoolScores from the council's or England's schools, weighted by pupils (or teachers, for turnover); other figures are published by DfE. Sources: DfE school census 2024/25; DfE pupil absence 2024/25; DfE suspensions and permanent exclusions 2024/25; DfE school workforce census 2025/26; DfE teacher turnover 2024/25.
Nearby secondary schools
- East London Arts and Music 0.1 miles · Ofsted: Not yet inspected · C+ average A level grade
- Harris Science Academy East London 0.3 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 61% grade 5+ English and maths
- Langdon Park Community School 0.6 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 7 expected · 46% grade 5+ English and maths
- St Paul's Way Trust School 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 56% grade 5+ English and maths
- Eastlea Community School 0.8 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 27% grade 5+ English and maths
- Central Foundation Girls' School 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 5 strong, 2 expected · 54% grade 5+ English and maths
- Bobby Moore Academy 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 4 strong, 4 expected · 50% grade 5+ English and maths
- Mulberry UTC 1.1 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 18% grade 5+ English and maths
- Rokeby School 1.1 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 54% grade 5+ English and maths
- London Academy of Excellence 1.2 miles · Ofsted: Not yet inspected · A- average A level grade
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Bow School's Ofsted rating?
Bow School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 14 March 2018. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 13 September 2023, Ofsted found the school was still Good.
How did Bow School do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 33% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 12 points below the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend Bow School?
57% of the 23 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 4 September 2023 and 2 September 2024 said they would recommend Bow School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Bow School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 72 families put Bow School as their first choice for 122 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 72 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 100965.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 4 September 2023 to 2 September 2024.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25, A levels 2024/25, After sixth form 2024/25, Going on to university 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.