SchoolScoresSydenham School
Community school · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Girls only · Sixth form
Dartmouth Road, London, SE26 4RD
020 8699 6731 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted report card from the inspection that started on 19 May 2026 , published 6 July 2026.
In short: 5 strong, 2 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. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
| AchievementHow well pupils learn and the results they get. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets 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. | Strong standard Second of five grades. Better than 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.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
218 pupils in this year group.
49% — 4 points above the Lewisham average, and 3 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Lewisham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 49% | 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. | 50.8 | 46.7 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 4.6 | 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.
234 pupils in this year group.
95% — 2 points above the Lewisham average, and 3 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. | 95% | 93% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 75% | 43% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 5% | 24% | 13% |
| Further education college | 12% | 19% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 2% | 1% | 3% |
| Work | 0% | 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
116 A level students in this year group.
| Measure | This school | Lewisham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average A level grade | B | C+ | B- |
| A level exams graded A* or A | 32% | 27% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 68% | 58% | 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. | 39.3 | 33.6 | 35 |
A level subjects, 2024/25
23 subjects, 290 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
| Subject | Exams | A* | A* or A | England A* or A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English Literature | 30 | 0% | 13% | 23% |
| Psychology | 30 | 3% | 10% | 19% |
| Geography | 26 | 0% | 27% | 23% |
| History | 25 | 16% | 32% | 23% |
| Sociology | 24 | 13% | 38% | 20% |
| Biology | 20 | 5% | 30% | 27% |
| Mathematics | 20 | 30% | 60% | 40% |
| Media/Film/Tv Studies | 20 | 0% | 5% | 14% |
| Art and Design (Fine Art) | 15 | 47% | 73% | 38% |
| Economics | 13 | 8% | 23% | 26% |
| Chemistry | 10 | 10% | 50% | 30% |
| Religious Studies | 8 | 0% | 63% | 22% |
| Art and Design (Critical Studies) | 7 | 43% | 86% | – |
| Art and Design (Photography) | 7 | 0% | 0% | 26% |
| Government and Politics | 7 | 0% | 0% | 26% |
| Drama and Theatre Studies | 6 | 0% | 17% | 19% |
| Physics | 6 | 33% | 50% | 31% |
Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Business Studies:Single, Mathematics (Further), Spanish, Music, Arabic, Turkish.
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.
150 students in this year group.
83% — about the same as the Lewisham average, and 4 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Lewisham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. | 83% | 83% | 79% |
| Apprenticeship | 1% | 3% | 7% |
| Work | 13% | 16% | 28% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 77% | 83% |
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.
138 students in this year group.
73% — 4 points below the Lewisham average, and 13 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Lewisham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 73% | 77% | 60% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 21% | 13% | 19% |
Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 84% | 73% |
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 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?
For the September 2026 intake there were about one first-choice application for every place.
| Places offered | 235 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 217 |
| Of those, offered a place | 179 (82%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 681 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.8 · 2025: 1.0 · 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 | Lewisham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 11th highest of 14 state secondary schools in Lewisham. Higher than 55% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 29.0% | 36.2%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 14th highest of 14 state secondary schools in Lewisham. Higher than 20% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 1.7% | 3.7%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 11th highest of 14 state secondary schools in Lewisham. Higher than 51% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 13.9% | 15.9%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 13th highest of 14 state secondary schools in Lewisham. Higher than 65% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 18.9% | 27.9%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 11th lowest of 14 state secondary schools in Lewisham. Lower than 52% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 8.2% | 6.8%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 12th lowest of 14 state secondary schools in Lewisham. Lower than 35% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 26.4% | 19.3%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 6th lowest of 14 state secondary schools in Lewisham. Lower than 71% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 8.2 | 11.2 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 4th lowest of 14 state secondary schools in Lewisham. Lower than 66% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 4.9% | 6.7% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.10% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 5th highest of 14 state secondary schools in Lewisham. Higher than 63% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 17.4 | 16.9 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) Joint 3rd highest of 14 state secondary schools in Lewisham. Higher than 87% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 13.8 | 12.3 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 8th highest of 14 state secondary schools in Lewisham. Higher than 70% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 17.1% | 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
- Forest Hill School 0.5 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 59% grade 5+ English and maths
- Sydenham and Dulwich Girls GDST 0.6 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 47% A*/A at A level
- Kingsdale Foundation School 1.1 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2023) · 67% grade 5+ English and maths
- Dulwich Prep and Senior 1.1 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
- Dulwich College 1.2 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 69% A*/A at A level
- Harris Girls Academy Bromley 1.5 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2017), confirmed 2024 · 68% grade 5+ English and maths
- St Dunstan's College 1.5 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 62% A*/A at A level
- Harris Boys' Academy East Dulwich 1.6 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2023) · 55% grade 5+ English and maths
- Harris Girls' Academy East Dulwich 1.6 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2023) · 56% grade 5+ English and maths
- Alleyn's School 1.7 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 82% A*/A at A level
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Sydenham School's Ofsted rating?
Sydenham School was inspected under Ofsted's report card format in 19 May 2026. Report cards grade each area on a five-point scale instead of giving one overall grade. Its grades were 5 strong, 2 expected, and safeguarding was met.
How did Sydenham School do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 49% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 3 points above the England average of 45%.
Is Sydenham School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 217 families put Sydenham School as their first choice for 235 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 179 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 100741.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 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.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.