SchoolScoresSt Matthew Academy
Academy · All-through, ages 4 to 16 · Mixed · Roman Catholic
Part of ST BENEDICT CATHOLIC ACADEMY TRUST
St Joseph's Vale, Blackheath, London, SE3 0XX
020 8853 6250 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
At the inspection that started on 11 March 2025, Ofsted graded each area separately. It stopped giving an overall grade in September 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 | Outstanding |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Outstanding |
| Personal development | Outstanding |
| Leadership and management | Outstanding |
| Early years | Outstanding |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
187 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025.
Lewisham comparisons use the 5 of its 14 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 9 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 | Lewisham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school 2nd highest of 5 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Lewisham. Higher than 92% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 95% | 93% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school Joint 2nd highest of 5 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Lewisham. Higher than 87% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 95% | 94% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 1st highest of 5 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Lewisham. Higher than 91% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 94% | 90% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 66 parents whose child had been bullied 2nd highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Lewisham. Higher than 88% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 64% | 57% | 51% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 136 parents who had raised a concern 2nd highest of 5 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Lewisham. Higher than 86% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 84% | 83% | 76% |
| My child with SEND gets the support they needOf 37 parents of children with SEND 2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Lewisham. Higher than 81% of 789 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 76% | 75% | 68% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 1st highest of 5 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Lewisham. Higher than 91% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 94%said yes | 92% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 18%). 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. Lewisham figures pool parents at the Lewisham 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
Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25
24 pupils in this year group.
83% — 15 points above the Lewisham average, and 21 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Lewisham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 83% | 68% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 13% | 10% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 83% | 79% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 88% | 74% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 88% | 77% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 104 | 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
172 pupils in this year group.
40% — 5 points below the Lewisham average, and 5 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Lewisham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 40% | 45% | 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. | 47.2 | 46.7 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 4.5 | 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.
142 pupils in this year group.
94% — about the same as the Lewisham average, and 2 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Lewisham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 94% | 93% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 37% | 43% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 39% | 24% | 13% |
| Further education college | 15% | 19% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 1% | 1% | 3% |
| Work | 1% | 1% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 97% | 94% |
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 Lewisham. 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 fewer first-choice applications than places.
| Places offered | 155 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 134 |
| Of those, offered a place | 83 (62%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 622 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.5 · 2025: 0.4 · 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.
How hard is it to get in (Reception)?
For the September 2026 intake there were fewer first-choice applications than places.
| Places offered | 18 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 14 |
| Of those, offered a place | 14 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 61 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.8 · 2025: 0.8 · 2026: 0.8
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 Roman Catholic 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 | Lewisham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 7th highest of 14 state secondary schools in Lewisham. Higher than 75% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 39.5% | 36.2%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan Joint 10th highest of 14 state secondary schools in Lewisham. Higher than 24% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 1.9% | 3.7%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 4th highest of 14 state secondary schools in Lewisham. Higher than 69% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 16.3% | 15.9%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 8th highest of 14 state secondary schools in Lewisham. Higher than 77% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 28.3% | 27.9%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 3rd lowest of 14 state secondary schools in Lewisham. Lower than 88% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 5.7% | 6.8%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 5th lowest of 14 state secondary schools in Lewisham. Lower than 81% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 16.4% | 19.3%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 9th lowest of 14 state secondary schools in Lewisham. Lower than 53% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 13.3 | 11.2 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 11th lowest of 14 state secondary schools in Lewisham. Lower than 33% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 9.0% | 6.7% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded1 pupil | 0.09% | 0.10% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 8th highest of 14 state secondary schools in Lewisham. Higher than 43% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 16.5 | 16.9 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 7th highest of 14 state secondary schools in Lewisham. Higher than 58% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 12.2 | 12.3 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 10th highest of 14 state secondary schools in Lewisham. Higher than 58% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 14.9% | 17.9%* | 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
- Urban Mission School 0.6 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Good (2025)
- Trinity CofE School, Lewisham 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2025: 7 strong · 56% grade 5+ English and maths
- Prendergast Vale School 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2018, before conversion) · 35% grade 5+ English and maths
- St Ursula's Convent School 0.8 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2025: 1 strong, 5 expected · 62% grade 5+ English and maths
- Riverston School 1.1 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 0% A*/A at A level
- The John Roan School 1.1 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 38% grade 5+ English and maths
- Thomas Tallis School 1.1 miles · Ofsted: Good (2018), confirmed 2024 · 43% grade 5+ English and maths
- Blackheath High School GDST 1.2 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 39% A*/A at A level
- Prendergast School 1.2 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 73% grade 5+ English and maths
- Education-My Life Matters 1.3 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Good (2024)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is St Matthew Academy's Ofsted rating?
At its inspection in 11 March 2025, Ofsted graded each area separately; it stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.
How did St Matthew Academy do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 40% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 5 points below the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend St Matthew Academy?
94% of the 187 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025 said they would recommend St Matthew Academy to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is St Matthew Academy oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 134 families put St Matthew Academy as their first choice for 155 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 83 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 135264.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 3 September 2024 to 1 September 2025.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, Key stage 2 2024/25, 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.