SchoolScoresWoolwich Polytechnic School for Girls
Free school · Secondary, ages 11 to 16 · Girls only
Part of POLYMAT
1 Birchdene Drive, Thamesmead, SE28 8RF
020 8059 2800 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 10 January 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 | Good |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| 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
237 pupils in this year group.
45% — 1 points below the Greenwich average, and about the same as the England average.
| Measure | This school | Greenwich | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 45% | 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. | 47.5 | 46.9 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 4.1 | 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.
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 | 192 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 134 |
| Of those, offered a place | 134 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 308 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.7 · 2025: 0.8 · 2026: 0.7
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 | Greenwich | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 6th highest of 16 state secondary schools in Greenwich. Higher than 78% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 41.3% | 36.9%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 13th highest of 16 state secondary schools in Greenwich. Higher than 29% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 2.1% | 3.9%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 15th highest of 16 state secondary schools in Greenwich. Higher than 36% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 11.9% | 16.7%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 12th highest of 16 state secondary schools in Greenwich. Higher than 65% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 18.9% | 27.1%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 10th lowest of 16 state secondary schools in Greenwich. Lower than 64% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 7.6% | 7.5%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 11th lowest of 16 state secondary schools in Greenwich. Lower than 51% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 23.3% | 21.2%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 9th lowest of 16 state secondary schools in Greenwich. Lower than 60% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 11.1 | 14.4 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 8th lowest of 16 state secondary schools in Greenwich. Lower than 56% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 6.0% | 7.6% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded3 pupils | 0.25% | 0.13% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 9th highest of 16 state secondary schools in Greenwich. Higher than 35% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 16.1 | 17.1 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) Joint 10th highest of 16 state secondary schools in Greenwich. Higher than 40% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 11.4 | 12.0 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 10th highest of 16 state secondary schools in Greenwich. Higher than 79% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 19.5% | 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
- Woolwich Polytechnic School 0.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2019), confirmed 2024 · 47% grade 5+ English and maths
- Pulse and Water College 0.6 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 6 expected
- St Paul's Academy 0.7 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 1.7 miles · Ofsted: Requires improvement (2023) · 22% grade 5+ English and maths
- London Design and Engineering UTC 1.9 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2025: 5 exceptional, 2 strong · 54% grade 5+ English and maths
- Break Through School 2.2 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
- 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 for Girls's Ofsted rating?
Woolwich Polytechnic School for Girls was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 10 January 2023.
How did Woolwich Polytechnic School for Girls do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 45% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, about the same as the England average of 45%.
Is Woolwich Polytechnic School for Girls oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 134 families put Woolwich Polytechnic School for Girls as their first choice for 192 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 134 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 143686.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.