SchoolScoresCity of London Academy Highbury Grove
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed · Sixth form
Part of CITY OF LONDON ACADEMIES TRUST
8 Highbury Grove, Islington, London, N5 2EQ
020 7288 8900 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 26 April 2022.
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 |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Personal development | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Sixth form | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
199 pupils in this year group.
45% — 3 points below the Islington average, and about the same as the England average.
| Measure | This school | Islington | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 45% | 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. | 45.4 | 47 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 4.2 | 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.
174 pupils in this year group.
89% — 2 points below the Islington average, and 3 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Islington | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 89% | 91% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 34% | 39% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 5% | 5% | 13% |
| Further education college | 47% | 41% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 1% | 1% | 3% |
| Work | 1% | 1% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 91% | 89% |
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
36 A level students in this year group.
| Measure | This school | Islington | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average A level grade | C | B- | B- |
| A level exams graded A* or A | 11% | 27% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 41% | 60% | 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. | 30.4 | 37.5 | 35 |
A level subjects, 2024/25
17 subjects, 104 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
| Subject | Exams | A* | A* or A | England A* or A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 20 | 0% | 20% | 40% |
| Biology | 10 | 0% | 10% | 27% |
| Geography | 9 | 0% | 0% | 23% |
| Physics | 9 | 11% | 33% | 31% |
| Chemistry | 8 | 0% | 0% | 30% |
| Psychology | 8 | 0% | 13% | 19% |
| Business Studies:Single | 7 | 0% | 14% | 16% |
| English Literature | 7 | 0% | 0% | 23% |
| History | 6 | 0% | 0% | 23% |
Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Computer Studies / Computing, Sociology, Government and Politics, Media/Film/Tv Studies, Art and Design (Fine Art), Chinese, Economics, English Language.
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.
68 students in this year group.
84% — 3 points above the Islington average, and 5 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Islington | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. | 84% | 81% | 79% |
| Apprenticeship | 0% | 1% | 7% |
| Work | 15% | 19% | 28% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 81% | 84% |
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.
49 students in this year group.
82% — 22 points above the Islington average, and 22 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Islington | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 82% | 60% | 60% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 37% | 21% | 19% |
Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 80% | 82% |
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 Islington. 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 | 174 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 98 |
| Of those, offered a place | 98 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 425 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.7 · 2025: 0.5 · 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 | Islington | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 7th highest of 11 state secondary schools in Islington. Higher than 97% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 60.1% | 51.0%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 6th highest of 11 state secondary schools in Islington. Higher than 60% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 3.4% | 3.7%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 9th highest of 11 state secondary schools in Islington. Higher than 50% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 13.8% | 17.3%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 9th highest of 11 state secondary schools in Islington. Higher than 73% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 25.0% | 33.9%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 7th lowest of 10 state secondary schools in Islington. Lower than 22% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 10.1% | 9.2%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 7th lowest of 10 state secondary schools in Islington. Lower than 27% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 28.1% | 25.3%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 10th lowest of 11 state secondary schools in Islington. Lower than 10% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 53.2 | 24.8 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 10th lowest of 11 state secondary schools in Islington. Lower than 6% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 17.8% | 8.8% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded1 pupil | 0.10% | 0.08% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 8th highest of 11 state secondary schools in Islington. Higher than 4% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 13.4 | 14.8 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 10th highest of 11 state secondary schools in Islington. Higher than 4% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 8.9 | 10.8 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 6th highest of 11 state secondary schools in Islington. Higher than 69% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 17.0% | 17.8%* | 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
- The London Screen Academy 0.2 miles · Ofsted: Not yet inspected · B- average A level grade
- Highbury Fields School 0.3 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2016), confirmed 2022 · 62% grade 5+ English and maths
- North Bridge House Senior Canonbury School 0.4 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 33% A*/A at A level
- St Paul's Waldorf School 0.5 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
- St Mary Magdalene Academy 0.5 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2023) · 71% grade 5+ English and maths
- Stoke Newington School and Sixth Form 0.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2013), confirmed 2022 · 46% grade 5+ English and maths
- City of London Academy Islington 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2019), confirmed 2025 · 38% grade 5+ English and maths
- The Excelsior Academy 1.1 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 40% grade 5+ English and maths
- Waterside Academy 1.2 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 6 strong · 41% grade 5+ English and maths
- Elizabeth Garrett Anderson School 1.3 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 55% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is City of London Academy Highbury Grove's Ofsted rating?
City of London Academy Highbury Grove was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 26 April 2022.
How did City of London Academy Highbury Grove do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 45% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, about the same as the England average of 45%.
Is City of London Academy Highbury Grove oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 98 families put City of London Academy Highbury Grove as their first choice for 174 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 98 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 144962.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- 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.