SchoolScoresSt Mary Magdalene Academy
Academy · All-through, ages 4 to 19 · Mixed · Church of England · Sixth form
Part of HIVE EDUCATION TRUST
Liverpool Road, Islington, London, N7 8PG
020 7697 0123 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Outstanding at the inspection that started on 3 July 2023.
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 | Outstanding |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Outstanding |
| Personal development | Outstanding |
| Leadership and management | Outstanding |
| Early years | Good |
| Sixth form | Outstanding |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25
30 pupils in this year group.
77% — 10 points above the Islington average, and 15 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Islington | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 77% | 67% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 30% | 13% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 80% | 79% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 77% | 75% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 77% | 77% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 108 | 107 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 107 | 106 | 105 |
Source: DfE key stage 2 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
198 pupils in this year group.
71% — 23 points above the Islington average, and 25 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Islington | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 71% | 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. | 59.3 | 47 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 5.5 | 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.
180 pupils in this year group.
95% — 4 points above the Islington average, and 3 points above 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. | 95% | 91% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 48% | 39% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 2% | 5% | 13% |
| Further education college | 41% | 41% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 2% | 1% | 3% |
| Work | 2% | 1% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 94% | 95% |
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
149 A level students in this year group.
| Measure | This school | Islington | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average A level grade | B | B- | B- |
| A level exams graded A* or A | 33% | 27% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 63% | 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. | 38.9 | 37.5 | 35 |
A level subjects, 2024/25
23 subjects, 453 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
| Subject | Exams | A* | A* or A | England A* or A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 79 | 19% | 35% | 40% |
| Biology | 43 | 7% | 14% | 27% |
| Economics | 39 | 13% | 38% | 26% |
| Chemistry | 36 | 11% | 28% | 30% |
| Physics | 30 | 10% | 43% | 31% |
| Sociology | 30 | 33% | 57% | 20% |
| History | 29 | 3% | 21% | 23% |
| Psychology | 29 | 7% | 21% | 19% |
| Government and Politics | 23 | 0% | 17% | 26% |
| English Literature | 18 | 22% | 50% | 23% |
| Geography | 16 | 0% | 19% | 23% |
| Computer Studies / Computing | 15 | 0% | 13% | 24% |
| Mathematics (Further) | 15 | 53% | 80% | 59% |
| Logic / Philosophy | 14 | 0% | 29% | 19% |
| Art and Design | 8 | 0% | 38% | 34% |
| French | 7 | 0% | 43% | 38% |
| Design and Technology (Product Design) | 6 | 33% | 33% | 15% |
Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Music, Physical Education / Sports Studies, Spanish, German, History of Art, Italian.
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.
141 students in this year group.
82% — about the same as the Islington average, and 3 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. | 82% | 81% | 79% |
| Apprenticeship | 1% | 1% | 7% |
| Work | 19% | 19% | 28% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 78% | 82% |
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.
108 students in this year group.
77% — 17 points above the Islington average, and 17 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Islington | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 77% | 60% | 60% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 42% | 21% | 19% |
Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 85% | 77% |
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 (Year 7)?
For the September 2026 intake there were about 2.5 first-choice applications for every place.
| Places offered | 171 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 434 |
| Of those, offered a place | 159 (37%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 1,087 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 2.3 · 2025: 2.5 · 2026: 2.5
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.
How hard is it to get in (Reception)?
For the September 2026 intake there were about 2.5 first-choice applications for every place.
| Places offered | 30 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 69 |
| Of those, offered a place | 29 (42%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 183 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.0 · 2025: 1.4 · 2026: 2.3
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.
This is a Church of England school. When it has more applicants than places it can give priority to families of the faith, for example those who can show regular worship. Check the school's admissions policy to see how places are allocated.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Islington | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 10th highest of 11 state secondary schools in Islington. Higher than 73% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 38.1% | 51.0%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 5th highest of 11 state secondary schools in Islington. Higher than 70% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 3.9% | 3.7%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 5th highest of 11 state secondary schools in Islington. Higher than 74% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 17.1% | 17.3%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 10th highest of 11 state secondary schools in Islington. Higher than 65% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 18.7% | 33.9%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) Joint 2nd lowest of 10 state secondary schools in Islington. Lower than 74% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 6.9% | 9.2%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 2nd lowest of 10 state secondary schools in Islington. Lower than 78% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 17.3% | 25.3%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 4th lowest of 11 state secondary schools in Islington. Lower than 85% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 4.4 | 24.8 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 3rd lowest of 11 state secondary schools in Islington. Lower than 88% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 2.4% | 8.8% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.08% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 2nd highest of 11 state secondary schools in Islington. Higher than 43% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 16.5 | 14.8 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) Joint 5th highest of 11 state secondary schools in Islington. Higher than 29% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 10.9 | 10.8 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 8th highest of 11 state secondary schools in Islington. Higher than 46% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 12.6% | 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
- Highbury Fields School 0.5 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2016), confirmed 2022 · 62% grade 5+ English and maths
- City of London Academy Highbury Grove 0.5 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 45% grade 5+ English and maths
- North Bridge House Senior Canonbury School 0.6 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 33% A*/A at A level
- The London Screen Academy 0.6 miles · Ofsted: Not yet inspected · B- average A level grade
- City of London Academy Islington 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2019), confirmed 2025 · 38% grade 5+ English and maths
- St Paul's Waldorf School 0.9 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
- Lift Beacon High 1.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022, before conversion) · 16% grade 5+ English and maths
- Elizabeth Garrett Anderson School 1.0 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 55% grade 5+ English and maths
- The Camden School for Girls 1.1 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 79% grade 5+ English and maths
- Stoke Newington School and Sixth Form 1.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2013), confirmed 2022 · 46% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is St Mary Magdalene Academy's Ofsted rating?
St Mary Magdalene Academy was rated Outstanding by Ofsted at its inspection in 3 July 2023.
How did St Mary Magdalene Academy do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 71% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 25 points above the England average of 45%.
Is St Mary Magdalene Academy oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 434 families put St Mary Magdalene Academy as their first choice for 171 places: about 2.5 first-choice applications for every place. 159 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 134314.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, Key stage 2 2024/25, 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.