SchoolScoresCity of London Academy, Highgate Hill
Free school · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed · Sixth form
Part of CITY OF LONDON ACADEMIES TRUST
Holland Walk, Duncombe Road, Archway, London, N19 3EU
020 7281 3536 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 15 May 2024.
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 | Outstanding |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
71 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 2 April 2024 and 7 April 2025.
Islington comparisons use the 4 of its 11 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 7 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 | Islington | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school 3rd highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Islington. Higher than 20% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 70% | 80% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school 3rd highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Islington. Higher than 18% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 72% | 81% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 3rd highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Islington. Higher than 51% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 79% | 86% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 33 parents whose child had been bullied 3rd highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Islington. Higher than 17% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 36% | 46% | 51% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 57 parents who had raised a concern 3rd highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Islington. Higher than 30% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 61% | 71% | 76% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 3rd highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Islington. Higher than 23% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 65%said yes | 78% | 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. Islington figures pool parents at the Islington 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
115 pupils in this year group.
33% — 15 points below the Islington average, and 12 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Islington | 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. | 40.3 | 47 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 3.6 | 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.
129 pupils in this year group.
90% — about the same as the Islington average, and 2 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. | 90% | 91% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 31% | 39% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 9% | 5% | 13% |
| Further education college | 47% | 41% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 0% | 1% | 3% |
| Work | 2% | 1% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 89% | 90% |
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
25 A level students in this year group.
| Measure | This school | Islington | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average A level grade | A- | B- | B- |
| A level exams graded A* or A | 51% | 27% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 87% | 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. | 45.6 | 37.5 | 35 |
A level subjects, 2024/25
10 subjects, 75 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
| Subject | Exams | A* | A* or A | England A* or A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 12 | 17% | 67% | 40% |
| Chemistry | 11 | 9% | 27% | 30% |
| Psychology | 11 | 45% | 45% | 19% |
| Biology | 10 | 20% | 60% | 27% |
| Economics | 10 | 0% | 60% | 26% |
| Government and Politics | 9 | 11% | 33% | 26% |
Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: English Literature, History, Physics, Sociology.
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.
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 | 102 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 69 |
| Of those, offered a place | 69 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 220 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.7 · 2025: 0.8 · 2026: 0.7
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 4th highest of 11 state secondary schools in Islington. Higher than 99% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 64.6% | 51.0%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 9th highest of 11 state secondary schools in Islington. Higher than 46% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 2.8% | 3.7%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 10th highest of 11 state secondary schools in Islington. Higher than 43% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 12.8% | 17.3%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 4th highest of 11 state secondary schools in Islington. Higher than 88% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 42.2% | 33.9%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 4th lowest of 10 state secondary schools in Islington. Lower than 68% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 7.3% | 9.2%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 3rd lowest of 10 state secondary schools in Islington. Lower than 76% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 17.8% | 25.3%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 9th lowest of 11 state secondary schools in Islington. Lower than 17% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 38.2 | 24.8 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 9th lowest of 11 state secondary schools in Islington. Lower than 8% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 16.8% | 8.8% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.08% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 3rd highest of 11 state secondary schools in Islington. Higher than 26% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 15.6 | 14.8 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 7th highest of 11 state secondary schools in Islington. Higher than 19% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 10.3 | 10.8 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year Joint 3rd highest of 11 state secondary schools in Islington. Higher than 87% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 22.8% | 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
- St Aloysius' College 0.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022, before conversion) · 57% grade 5+ English and maths
- Arts and Media School Islington 0.6 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 28% grade 5+ English and maths
- Channing School 0.7 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 67% A*/A at A level
- Acland Burghley School 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2018), confirmed 2023 · 52% grade 5+ English and maths
- Highgate School 0.9 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 80% A*/A at A level
- Highgate Wood Secondary School 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 1 strong, 6 expected · 62% grade 5+ English and maths
- Lift Beacon High 1.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022, before conversion) · 16% grade 5+ English and maths
- La Sainte Union Catholic Secondary School 1.0 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 42% grade 5+ English and maths
- Parliament Hill School 1.1 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2024) · 59% grade 5+ English and maths
- William Ellis School 1.1 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 53% 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, Highgate Hill's Ofsted rating?
City of London Academy, Highgate Hill was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 15 May 2024.
How did City of London Academy, Highgate Hill 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 City of London Academy, Highgate Hill?
65% of the 71 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 2 April 2024 and 7 April 2025 said they would recommend City of London Academy, Highgate Hill to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is City of London Academy, Highgate Hill oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 69 families put City of London Academy, Highgate Hill as their first choice for 102 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 69 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 143659.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 2 April 2024 to 7 April 2025.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25, A levels 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.