SchoolScoresSt Paul's Academy
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 16 · Mixed · Roman Catholic
Part of ST BENEDICT CATHOLIC ACADEMY TRUST
Finchale Road, Abbey Wood, London, SE2 9PX
020 8311 3868 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Requires improvement at the inspection that started on 25 May 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 | Requires improvement |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Requires improvement |
| 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
238 pupils in this year group.
27% — 20 points below the Greenwich average, and 19 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Greenwich | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 27% | 46% | 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. | 40.4 | 46.9 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 3.4 | 4.2 | 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.
225 pupils in this year group.
91% — about the same as the Greenwich average, and about the same as the England average.
| Measure | This school | Greenwich | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 91% | 91% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 38% | 53% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 44% | 20% | 13% |
| Further education college | 8% | 14% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | Not published | 1% | 3% |
| Work | Not published | 1% | 3% |
"Not published": Not published (DfE code SP).
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.
Admissions
Apply through the council where you live, even if the school is in a different council area. This school is in Greenwich. 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 | 202 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 77 |
| Of those, offered a place | 77 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 265 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.6 · 2025: 0.6 · 2026: 0.4
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 | Greenwich | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 8th highest of 16 state secondary schools in Greenwich. Higher than 75% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 39.3% | 36.9%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 12th highest of 16 state secondary schools in Greenwich. Higher than 32% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 2.2% | 3.9%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 16th highest of 16 state secondary schools in Greenwich. Higher than 31% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 11.3% | 16.7%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language Joint 6th highest of 16 state secondary schools in Greenwich. Higher than 76% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 27.4% | 27.1%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 11th lowest of 16 state secondary schools in Greenwich. Lower than 58% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 7.9% | 7.5%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 12th lowest of 16 state secondary schools in Greenwich. Lower than 46% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 24.2% | 21.2%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 16th lowest of 16 state secondary schools in Greenwich. Lower than 10% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 55.1 | 14.4 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 16th lowest of 16 state secondary schools in Greenwich. Lower than 1% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 26.6% | 7.6% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.13% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 3rd highest of 16 state secondary schools in Greenwich. Higher than 96% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 20.4 | 17.1 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 3rd highest of 16 state secondary schools in Greenwich. Higher than 94% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 14.8 | 12.0 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 9th highest of 16 state secondary schools in Greenwich. Higher than 81% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 20.2% | 19.0%* | 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
- Pulse and Water College 0.3 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 6 expected
- Thrive Independent School 0.6 miles · Independent
- Woolwich Polytechnic School for Girls 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 45% grade 5+ English and maths
- Woolwich Polytechnic School 0.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2019), confirmed 2024 · 47% grade 5+ English and maths
- Plumstead Manor School 1.1 miles · Ofsted: Requires improvement (2023) · 22% grade 5+ English and maths
- Harris Garrard Academy 1.2 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 3 exceptional, 4 strong, 1 expected · 46% grade 5+ English and maths
- Welling School 1.8 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 1 expected, 6 needs attention · 27% grade 5+ English and maths
- Break Through School 1.9 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
- Saint Mary Magdalene CofE All Through School 1.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2018), confirmed 2023 · 39% grade 5+ English and maths
- London Design and Engineering UTC 2.0 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2025: 5 exceptional, 2 strong · 54% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is St Paul's Academy's Ofsted rating?
St Paul's Academy was rated Requires improvement by Ofsted at its inspection in 25 May 2023.
How did St Paul's Academy do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 27% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 19 points below the England average of 45%.
Is St Paul's Academy oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 77 families put St Paul's Academy as their first choice for 202 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 77 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 105135.
- 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.