SchoolScoresCity of London Academy (Southwark)
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 19 · Mixed · Sixth form
Part of CITY OF LONDON ACADEMIES TRUST
240 Lynton Road, London, SE1 5LA
020 7394 5100 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted report card from the inspection that started on 3 February 2026 , published 28 May 2026.
In short: 6 strong, 1 expected, and safeguarding met.
Since November 2025 Ofsted grades each area on a five-point scale instead of giving one overall grade. How report cards work.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| SafeguardingWhether pupils are kept safe. Met or not met. | Met |
| InclusionHow well the school supports disadvantaged pupils and pupils with special educational needs. | Strong standard Second of five grades. Better than the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Curriculum and teachingWhat pupils are taught and how well they are taught it. | Strong standard Second of five grades. Better than the standard Ofsted expects. |
| AchievementHow well pupils learn and the results they get. | Strong standard Second of five grades. Better than the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Attendance and behaviourWhether pupils come to school and how they behave. | Strong standard Second of five grades. Better than the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Personal development and wellbeingPupils' wider development, character and wellbeing. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Post-16 provisionSixth form or other study after 16. | Strong standard Second of five grades. Better than the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Leadership and governanceHow well leaders and governors run the school. | Strong standard Second of five grades. Better than the standard Ofsted expects. |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
30 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 10 November 2025 and 6 April 2026.
| Statement | This school | England |
|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school Higher than 30% of 442 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 70% | 83% |
| My child feels safe at this school Higher than 36% of 442 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 77% | 85% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved Higher than 45% of 442 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 73% | 78% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 26 parents who had raised a concern Higher than 33% of 431 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 62% | 74% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent Higher than 23% of 442 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 67%said yes | 83% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 2%). 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. 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. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
230 pupils in this year group.
58% — 3 points above the Southwark average, and 12 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Southwark | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 58% | 55% | 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. | 52.9 | 52.1 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 4.9 | 4.8 | 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.
234 pupils in this year group.
91% — 3 points below the Southwark average, and about the same as the England average.
| Measure | This school | Southwark | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 91% | 94% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 52% | 58% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 11% | 10% | 13% |
| Further education college | 24% | 21% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 2% | 1% | 3% |
| Work | 1% | 1% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 92% | 91% |
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
154 A level students in this year group.
| Measure | This school | Southwark | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average A level grade | B- | B | B- |
| A level exams graded A* or A | 27% | 32% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 61% | 64% | 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. | 37.6 | 38.8 | 35 |
A level subjects, 2024/25
25 subjects, 460 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
| Subject | Exams | A* | A* or A | England A* or A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 57 | 12% | 35% | 40% |
| Psychology | 53 | 6% | 32% | 19% |
| Sociology | 45 | 16% | 42% | 20% |
| Economics | 43 | 5% | 33% | 26% |
| Chemistry | 38 | 0% | 18% | 30% |
| Biology | 36 | 3% | 17% | 27% |
| Business Studies:Single | 32 | 0% | 9% | 16% |
| English Literature | 25 | 8% | 20% | 23% |
| Government and Politics | 17 | 0% | 12% | 26% |
| History | 14 | 0% | 14% | 23% |
| Religious Studies | 14 | 0% | 0% | 22% |
| Art and Design (Fine Art) | 12 | 42% | 58% | 38% |
| English Language and Literature | 11 | 0% | 18% | 16% |
| Computer Studies / Computing | 10 | 0% | 10% | 24% |
| Physics | 10 | 10% | 20% | 31% |
| Geography | 9 | 11% | 33% | 23% |
| Mathematics (Further) | 9 | 56% | 89% | 59% |
| Physical Education / Sports Studies | 7 | 0% | 29% | 17% |
| Media/Film/Tv Studies | 6 | 0% | 33% | 14% |
Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Drama and Theatre Studies, Spanish, French, Logic / Philosophy, Music, Russian.
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.
200 students in this year group.
89% — 2 points above the Southwark average, and 10 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Southwark | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. | 89% | 87% | 79% |
| Apprenticeship | 6% | 4% | 7% |
| Work | 15% | 14% | 28% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 86% | 89% |
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.
167 students in this year group.
81% — 2 points below the Southwark average, and 21 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Southwark | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 81% | 83% | 60% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 25% | 33% | 19% |
Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 84% | 81% |
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 Southwark. 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 about one first-choice application for every place.
| Places offered | 240 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 223 |
| Of those, offered a place | 207 (93%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 660 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.0 · 2025: 0.9 · 2026: 0.9
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 | Southwark | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 8th highest of 20 state secondary schools in Southwark. Higher than 94% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 55.5% | 46.2%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 16th highest of 20 state secondary schools in Southwark. Higher than 27% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 2.0% | 3.1%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 10th highest of 20 state secondary schools in Southwark. Higher than 63% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 15.6% | 14.6%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 17th highest of 20 state secondary schools in Southwark. Higher than 67% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 20.2% | 29.2%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 17th lowest of 20 state secondary schools in Southwark. Lower than 59% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 7.9% | 6.7%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 13th lowest of 20 state secondary schools in Southwark. Lower than 59% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 21.8% | 18.6%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 12th lowest of 20 state secondary schools in Southwark. Lower than 48% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 15.5 | 11.3 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 11th lowest of 20 state secondary schools in Southwark. Lower than 43% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 7.6% | 6.3% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded1 pupil | 0.06% | 0.07% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 6th highest of 20 state secondary schools in Southwark. Higher than 54% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 17.0 | 15.3 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) Joint 11th highest of 20 state secondary schools in Southwark. Higher than 45% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 11.6 | 11.9 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 9th highest of 19 state secondary schools in Southwark. Higher than 86% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 22.4% | 20.9%* | 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
- Harris Academy Bermondsey 0.4 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 57% grade 5+ English and maths
- The Charter School Bermondsey 0.6 miles · Ofsted: Good (2017), confirmed 2022 · 32% grade 5+ English and maths
- Ark Walworth Academy 0.6 miles · Ofsted: Good (2014), confirmed 2023 · 44% grade 5+ English and maths
- St Michael's Catholic College 0.7 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 66% grade 5+ English and maths
- South Bank University Academy 1.0 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 6 expected, 1 needs attention · 38% grade 5+ English and maths
- St Saviour's and St Olave's CofE School 1.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 54% grade 5+ English and maths
- Marathon Science School 1.0 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Requires improvement (2025) · 0% A*/A at A level
- Ark Globe Academy 1.2 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 4 exceptional, 4 strong · 49% grade 5+ English and maths
- Harris Academy Peckham 1.2 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 35% grade 5+ English and maths
- The St Thomas the Apostle College 1.3 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2018), confirmed 2024 · 72% 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 (Southwark)'s Ofsted rating?
City of London Academy (Southwark) was inspected under Ofsted's report card format in 3 February 2026. Report cards grade each area on a five-point scale instead of giving one overall grade. Its grades were 6 strong, 1 expected, and safeguarding was met.
How did City of London Academy (Southwark) do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 58% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 12 points above the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend City of London Academy (Southwark)?
67% of the 30 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 10 November 2025 and 6 April 2026 said they would recommend City of London Academy (Southwark) to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is City of London Academy (Southwark) oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 223 families put City of London Academy (Southwark) as their first choice for 240 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 207 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 134222.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 10 November 2025 to 6 April 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.
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Page updated 26 September 2026.