SchoolScoresWoolwich Polytechnic School
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 19 · Boys only · Sixth form
Part of POLYMAT
Hutchins Road, Thamesmead, London, SE28 8AT
020 8310 7000 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 30 January 2019.
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 |
| Outcomes for pupils | Good |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Outstanding |
| Leadership and management | Outstanding |
| Sixth form | Outstanding |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 13 March 2024: Ofsted found the school was still Good.
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
32 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 1 January 2024 and 6 January 2025.
Greenwich comparisons use the 6 of its 17 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 11 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 | Greenwich | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school 5th highest of 6 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Greenwich. Higher than 67% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 88% | 91% | 88% |
| My child feels safe at this school 4th highest of 6 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Greenwich. Higher than 71% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 91% | 91% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 4th highest of 6 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Greenwich. Higher than 63% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 84% | 89% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 13 parents whose child had been bullied Joint 4th highest of 5 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Greenwich. Higher than 39% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 46% | 53% | 50% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 25 parents who had raised a concern 5th highest of 6 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Greenwich. Higher than 77% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 80% | 84% | 76% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 4th highest of 6 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Greenwich. Higher than 62% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 84%said yes | 91% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families. 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. Greenwich figures pool parents at the Greenwich 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
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
234 pupils in this year group.
47% — about the same as the Greenwich average, and 1 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Greenwich | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 47% | 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. | 45.2 | 46.9 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 3.7 | 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.
238 pupils in this year group.
93% — 2 points above 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. | 93% | 91% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 54% | 53% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 19% | 20% | 13% |
| Further education college | 18% | 14% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 1% | 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 |
|---|---|
| 90% | 93% |
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
139 A level students in this year group.
| Measure | This school | Greenwich | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average A level grade | C | C+ | B- |
| A level exams graded A* or A | 13% | 18% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 43% | 46% | 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. | 30.9 | 32.7 | 35 |
A level subjects, 2024/25
21 subjects, 297 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
| Subject | Exams | A* | A* or A | England A* or A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 51 | 6% | 22% | 40% |
| Economics | 29 | 7% | 10% | 26% |
| Psychology | 25 | 0% | 8% | 19% |
| Sociology | 21 | 0% | 10% | 20% |
| Chemistry | 20 | 0% | 25% | 30% |
| Biology | 19 | 0% | 5% | 27% |
| English Literature | 15 | 0% | 0% | 23% |
| Government and Politics | 15 | 0% | 7% | 26% |
| Drama and Theatre Studies | 12 | 0% | 0% | 19% |
| Art and Design (Photography) | 11 | 18% | 27% | 26% |
| Computer Studies / Computing | 11 | 0% | 0% | 24% |
| Design and Technology (Product Design) | 11 | 0% | 0% | 15% |
| Business Studies:Single | 10 | 10% | 20% | 16% |
| Mathematics (Further) | 9 | 11% | 44% | 59% |
| Geography | 8 | 0% | 0% | 23% |
| Art and Design (Fine Art) | 7 | 0% | 14% | 38% |
| English Language | 7 | 0% | 0% | 13% |
| History | 7 | 0% | 29% | 23% |
| Physics | 7 | 14% | 29% | 31% |
Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: French, 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.
184 students in this year group.
85% — 8 points above the Greenwich average, and 6 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Greenwich | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. | 85% | 77% | 79% |
| Apprenticeship | 8% | 4% | 7% |
| Work | 11% | 19% | 28% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 87% | 85% |
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.
174 students in this year group.
76% — 5 points above the Greenwich average, and 16 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Greenwich | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 76% | 71% | 60% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 17% | 17% | 19% |
Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 88% | 76% |
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 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 | 226 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 79 |
| Of those, offered a place | 79 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 200 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.6 · 2025: 0.4 · 2026: 0.3
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.
Pupils, staff and SEND
Specialist SEND provision: this school has a SEN unit with 15 places for other difficulties or disabilities; Autism; Moderate learning difficulties. These places are usually allocated through the council's SEND team.
| Pupils | This school | Greenwich | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 10th highest of 16 state secondary schools in Greenwich. Higher than 71% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 36.6% | 36.9%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 9th highest of 16 state secondary schools in Greenwich. Higher than 50% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 3.0% | 3.9%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 6th highest of 16 state secondary schools in Greenwich. Higher than 74% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 17.1% | 16.7%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 9th highest of 16 state secondary schools in Greenwich. Higher than 73% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 24.6% | 27.1%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 9th lowest of 16 state secondary schools in Greenwich. Lower than 77% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 6.8% | 7.5%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 8th lowest of 16 state secondary schools in Greenwich. Lower than 66% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 20.2% | 21.2%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 5th lowest of 16 state secondary schools in Greenwich. Lower than 73% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 7.5 | 14.4 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 7th lowest of 16 state secondary schools in Greenwich. Lower than 63% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 5.2% | 7.6% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded3 pupils | 0.19% | 0.13% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 12th highest of 16 state secondary schools in Greenwich. Higher than 29% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 15.8 | 17.1 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) Joint 8th highest of 16 state secondary schools in Greenwich. Higher than 42% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 11.5 | 12.0 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year Joint 12th highest of 16 state secondary schools in Greenwich. Higher than 52% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 13.6% | 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.
SEND provision: Get Information about Schools (DfE).
Nearby secondary schools
- Woolwich Polytechnic School for Girls 0.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 45% grade 5+ English and maths
- Pulse and Water College 0.7 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 6 expected
- St Paul's Academy 0.8 miles · Ofsted: Requires improvement (2023) · 27% 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
- Thrive Independent School 1.3 miles · Independent
- Riverside School 1.3 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2022) · 60% grade 5+ English and maths
- Plumstead Manor School 1.8 miles · Ofsted: Requires improvement (2023) · 22% grade 5+ English and maths
- London Design and Engineering UTC 1.8 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2025: 5 exceptional, 2 strong · 54% grade 5+ English and maths
- Jo Richardson Community School 2.2 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2024) · 49% grade 5+ English and maths
- Saint Mary Magdalene CofE All Through School 2.2 miles · Ofsted: Good (2018), confirmed 2023 · 39% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Woolwich Polytechnic School's Ofsted rating?
Woolwich Polytechnic School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 30 January 2019. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 13 March 2024, Ofsted found the school was still Good.
How did Woolwich Polytechnic School do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 47% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 1 points above the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend Woolwich Polytechnic School?
84% of the 32 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 1 January 2024 and 6 January 2025 said they would recommend Woolwich Polytechnic School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Woolwich Polytechnic School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 79 families put Woolwich Polytechnic School as their first choice for 226 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 79 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 141163.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 1 January 2024 to 6 January 2025.
- 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.