SchoolScoresLift Beacon High
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 16 · Mixed
Part of LIFT SCHOOLS
Hilldrop Road, Islington, London, N7 0JG
020 7607 5885 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 16 November 2022. This inspection was of the school before it changed to its current form (for example, before becoming an academy).
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 |
| 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
77 pupils in this year group.
These results were published under the school's previous registration (URN 100453), before it changed to its current form.
16% — 32 points below the Islington average, and 30 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Islington | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 16% | 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. | 29.5 | 47 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 2.4 | 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.
86 pupils in this year group.
These results were published under the school's previous registration (URN 100453), before it changed to its current form.
81% — 10 points below the Islington average, and 11 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. | 81% | 91% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 9% | 39% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 5% | 5% | 13% |
| Further education college | 63% | 41% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 1% | 1% | 3% |
| Work | 2% | 1% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 90% | 81% |
Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 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 | 85 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 39 |
| Of those, offered a place | 39 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 157 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.6 · 2025: 0.5 · 2026: 0.5
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 1st highest of 11 state secondary schools in Islington. Higher than 100% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 72.2% | 51.0%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 1st highest of 11 state secondary schools in Islington. Higher than 98% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 8.4% | 3.7%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 7th highest of 11 state secondary schools in Islington. Higher than 68% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 16.3% | 17.3%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 7th highest of 11 state secondary schools in Islington. Higher than 84% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 36.0% | 33.9%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 8th lowest of 10 state secondary schools in Islington. Lower than 5% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 13.0% | 9.2%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 9th lowest of 10 state secondary schools in Islington. Lower than 3% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 41.3% | 25.3%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 7th lowest of 11 state secondary schools in Islington. Lower than 32% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 23.5 | 24.8 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 6th lowest of 11 state secondary schools in Islington. Lower than 35% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 8.6% | 8.8% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded2 pupils | 0.48% | 0.08% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 11th highest of 11 state secondary schools in Islington. Higher than 2% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 12.3 | 14.8 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 11th highest of 11 state secondary schools in Islington. Higher than 1% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 7.4 | 10.8 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 5th highest of 11 state secondary schools in Islington. Higher than 74% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 18.1% | 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
- Acland Burghley School 0.6 miles · Ofsted: Good (2018), confirmed 2023 · 52% grade 5+ English and maths
- The Camden School for Girls 0.6 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 79% grade 5+ English and maths
- College Francais Bilingue De Londres 0.7 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Outstanding (2025)
- Parliament Hill School 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2024) · 59% grade 5+ English and maths
- La Sainte Union Catholic Secondary School 0.9 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 42% grade 5+ English and maths
- St Mary Magdalene Academy 1.0 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2023) · 71% grade 5+ English and maths
- William Ellis School 1.0 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 53% grade 5+ English and maths
- City of London Academy, Highgate Hill 1.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 33% grade 5+ English and maths
- Arts and Media School Islington 1.1 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 28% grade 5+ English and maths
- Haverstock School 1.2 miles · Ofsted: Good (2019), confirmed 2024 · 37% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Lift Beacon High's Ofsted rating?
Lift Beacon High was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 16 November 2022.
How did Lift Beacon High do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 16% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 30 points below the England average of 45%.
Is Lift Beacon High oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 39 families put Lift Beacon High as their first choice for 85 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 39 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 152337.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.