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Reviewed

Fortismere School

State school · London, N10 1NE
  • Secondary
  • Co-ed
  • Ages 11-19
  • 1,820 pupils
We've reviewed this school • Unlock to access

A thriving local comprehensive which suits the mature, confident and already focused. Not necessarily the ideal place for the timid or those requiring firm boundaries and push.

Why read our school review?

Unlike other websites, schools can't pay to be included in The Good Schools Guide. This means our review of this school is independent, critical and fair, and written with parents' best interests at heart.

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Overview & data

Pupil numbers
1,820 ·
Sixth form numbers
427 ·
Religion
None
Local authority
London Borough of Haringey

Headteacher

Co-heads

Ms Zoe Judge and Ms Jo Davey

Since 2018, Jo Davey and Zoe Judge.

More-or-less an old girl, Davey, formerly deputy head, attended Creighton School, a forerunner of Fortismere. Originally joined the staff as a part-time consultant in 2013, while deputy head of Blanche Nevile

Entrance

Of the 243 pupils admitted into year 7, many are from local high-performing primaries (Tetherdown, St James, Muswell Hill Primary, etc). Main criteria for entry are sibling connection and distance (usually within half a mile) from the gates (measured

Entry and exit data - year 7 entry (average 2020-2022)

Coldfall Primary School 21 %
Other 16 %
Where the number of students is less than 10, we cannot say where they've come from or where they are going to due to data protection rules.
Tetherdown Primary School 14 %
Muswell Hill Primary School 12 %
Highgate Primary School 7 %
St James Church of England Primary School 6 %
Coleridge Primary School 5 %
Our Lady of Muswell Catholic Primary School 5 %
Unknown 4 %
Where the school a student attended before or after this school is not known. These might be students who have come from or going to home schooling, independent schools, moving abroad etc.
Martin Primary School 3 %
St Michael's CofE Voluntary Aided Primary School 2 %
Eden Primary 2 %
Coppetts Wood Primary School 2 %
Data highlight

Exit

Reasonable numbers exit at GCSE, some because they haven’t made the grade, others to local state sixth forms (Woodhouse and Camden School for Girls both popular) or the independent sector. Pupils go on to a wide range of higher education with good

% students progressing to higher education or training (2021 leavers)

School
88%
LA avg.
83%
Eng. avg.
66%
Data highlight

What is this?

The proportion of 16-18 students that progressed to degrees, higher apprenticeships or other study at level 4 or above for at least 6 consecutive months in the 2 years after taking advanced level qualifications (level 3) at this school or college.

Latest results

In 2024, 43 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 37 per cent A*/A at A level (64 per cent A*-B).

% of pupils achieving grade 5 or above (A* to C) in English and maths GCSE (2024)

School
85%
LA avg.
67%
Eng. avg.
60%
Data highlight

What is this?

This tells you the percentage of pupils who achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths GCSEs.

Average points score (2024)

School
35.42
LA avg.
37.42
Eng. avg.
35.69
Data highlight

What is this?

These figures tell you the average grade and average points that pupils achieved in their academic qualifications. A maximum of 60 points are available for a grade A* at A level.

Teaching & learning

Fortismere is a high-achieving comprehensive with a broad curriculum and strong emphasis on traditional academic subjects. Teaching is highly rated (‘The teaching is really, really good,’ said one recent leaver; ‘The way they teach encourages

Qualifications taken in 2024
  • A level
  • BTEC
  • EPQ
  • GCSE
106
Number of teachers
17:1
Pupil to teacher ratio

Learning support & SEN

Wide range of in-house support for those who struggle (including learning mentors and an EAL coordinator) and extensive network of external experts on call for more specialist requirements. Ofsted happy that (the many) SEN pupils’ needs are

4.1 %
Students with a SEN EHCP
17.5 %
Students with SEN support

Arts & extracurricular

A creative place, where the rush for qualifications has certainly not drowned out the arts. Art, music and drama are all timetabled weekly in the early years with four hours devoted to creativity. Eight arts subjects on offer at GCSE (dance, drama,

Sport

Sport perhaps less of a strength, but girl footballers have triumphed in Haringey League and others achieved notable success in cross-country and table tennis; former pupils, too, have gone on to national glory in football (Wales U17 football and

Ethos & heritage

The school has a complex history, but the first school on the current site was founded in 1879. Fortismere itself was formed in 1983 by the amalgamation of two comprehensives, Creighton School and Alexandra Park School. The school today sits on an

Pastoral care, inclusivity & discipline

Transition from primary to secondary carefully overseen, with primary schools visited and detailed feedback requested. Year 7s then bond over a trip away and their own common room. Four-day-a-week ‘vertical tutoring’ groups - consisting of four to

Pupils & parents

Fortismere serves an area of expensive property and the dominant mood is liberal, progressive and prosperous, with plenty of high-performing students to ease the way to strong results. Parents are of the involved sort, and this certainly pays

1,820
Number of pupils

Money matters

Some discretionary sixth form bursaries available for maintenance and the vulnerable.

The last word

A thriving local comprehensive which suits the mature, confident and already focused. Not necessarily the ideal place for the timid or those requiring firm boundaries and push.

Inspection reports

Ofsted reports

From September 2024, Ofsted no longer makes an overall effectiveness judgement in inspections of state-funded schools.

Full inspection: Good

You can read full reports on the Ofsted website

Personal development Good
Quality of education Good
Behaviour and attitudes Good
Leadership and management Good
Sixth form provision Good

Full inspection: Outstanding

Leadership and management Good
Sixth form provision Outstanding

What the school says

Fortismere is a high achieving, dynamic, mixed foundation secondary school in the heart of vibrant Muswell Hill. We have a strong focus on outstanding progress and attainment for all of our students, as well as cultural enrichment. It is our vision that the school will win hearts and minds through adding value to its students and staff.

Contact the school

Address

South Wing
Tetherdown
London
N10 1NE
Get directions

Telephone: 020 8365 4400

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.fortismere.haringey.sch.uk

Local authority: London Borough of Haringey

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School data & information Fortismere School South Wing, Tetherdown, London, N10 1NE
1,820 Pupil numbers
427 Sixth form numbers
10 % % of pupils eligible for free school meals
18 % Pupils whose first language is not English
17:1 Pupil to teacher ratio
106 Number of teachers
8 Number of teaching assistants
Our review contains additional results data reported to us by Fortismere School and is updated annually. See the review

% achieving grade 5 or above (A* to C) in English and maths GCSE (2024)

School
85%
LA avg.
67%
Eng. avg.
60%

What is this?

This tells you the percentage of pupils who achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths GCSEs.

Average overall GCSE score (attainment 8) (2024)

School
57.80
LA avg.
48.10
Eng. avg.
44.20

What is this?

Schools get a score based on how well pupils have performed in up to 8 qualifications, which include English, maths, 3 English Baccalaureate qualifications including sciences, computer science, history, geography and languages, and 3 other additional approved qualifications.

Improvement rates in core subjects (progress 8) (2024)

0.49 Score Above average
≈ 16% of schools in England

What is a progress score?

This score shows how much progress pupils at this school made between the end of key stage 2 and the end of key stage 4, compared to pupils across England who got similar results at the end of key stage 2. This is based on results in up to 8 qualifications, which include English, maths, 3 English Baccalaureate qualifications including sciences, computer science, history, geography and languages, and 3 other additional approved qualifications.

Subjects entered at GCSE level (2024)

Pupils attending this school entered exams in these subjects. The list only includes qualifications approved for inclusion in the performance measures. The subjects and qualifications on offer at this school may change year on year. For a full list of subjects and qualifications on offer at this school, visit the school or college website or contact the school directly. Find out more

Subject Qualification Entries Avg. grade
Turkish GCSE (9-1) Full Course 6 9
Spanish GCSE (9-1) Full Course 42 7
Sociology GCSE (9-1) Full Course 49 6
Physics GCSE (9-1) Full Course 86 8
Physical Education/Sports Studies GCSE (9-1) Full Course 62 5
Music GCSE (9-1) Full Course 11 7
Media/Film/Tv Studies GCSE (9-1) Full Course 51 6
Mathematics GCSE (9-1) Full Course 256 6
History GCSE (9-1) Full Course 132 7
Geography GCSE (9-1) Full Course 103 6
French GCSE (9-1) Full Course 37 8
English Literature GCSE (9-1) Full Course 256 6
English Language GCSE (9-1) Full Course 257 6
Economics GCSE (9-1) Full Course 53 6
Drama & Theatre Studies GCSE (9-1) Full Course 60 7
Design & Technology GCSE (9-1) Full Course 33 7
Computer Studies/Computing GCSE (9-1) Full Course 55 6
Chinese GCSE (9-1) Full Course 31 7
Chemistry GCSE (9-1) Full Course 87 8
Business Studies:Single GCSE (9-1) Full Course 46 5
Biology GCSE (9-1) Full Course 88 8
Art & Design (Photography) GCSE (9-1) Full Course 38 8
Art & Design (Fine Art) GCSE (9-1) Full Course 70 7
Applied Engineering GCSE (9-1) Full Course 37 6

% of pupils achieving AAB or higher, including at least 2 facilitating subjects (2024)

School
16%
LA avg.
24%
Eng. avg.
20%

What is this?

Facilitating A levels are ones that are commonly needed for entry to leading universities. They are: biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, further mathematics, geography, history, English literature and classical or modern languages. The % of pupils achieving AAB or higher may therefore decrease if many pupils have opted not to take two or more of the facilitating subjects mentioned.

Average points score (2024)

School
35.42
LA avg.
37.42
Eng. avg.
35.69

What is this?

These figures tell you the average grade and average points that pupils achieved in their academic qualifications. A maximum of 60 points are available for a grade A* at A level.

Subjects entered at 16 to 18 (2024)

Pupils attending this school entered exams in these subjects. The list only includes qualifications approved for inclusion in the performance measures. The subjects and qualifications on offer at this school may change year on year. For a full list of subjects and qualifications on offer at this school, visit the school or college website or contact the school directly. Find out more

Subject Qualification Entries Avg. grade
Spanish GCE A level 12 B
Sociology GCE A level 31 B
Psychology GCE A level 55 B
Physics GCE A level 30 B
Physical Education / Sports Studies GCE A level 12 D
Music Technology GCE A level 10 B
Media/Film/Tv Studies GCE A level 13 B
Mathematics (Further) GCE A level 9 A
Mathematics GCE A level 63 B
Logic / Philosophy GCE A level 28 B
History GCE A level 50 B
Government and Politics GCE A level 32 B
Geography GCE A level 35 B
French GCE A level 8 A
Film Studies GCE A level 10 A
English Literature GCE A level 42 A
English Language and Literature GCE A level 15 B
Economics GCE A level 43 B
Drama and Theatre Studies GCE A level 8 A
Design and Technology (Product Design) GCE A level 15 A
Computer Studies / Computing GCE A level 11 C
Classical Civilisation GCE A level 14 B
Chemistry GCE A level 22 B
Biology GCE A level 28 B
Art and Design (Photography) GCE A level 29 A
Art and Design (Fine Art) GCE A level 12 A

Entry and exit data

Here we report figures on pupils moving between schools at the usual entry and exit points, as well as student destinations into higher education. We publish publically available data for state schools. For independent schools, The Good Schools Guide collects data from its prep schools as to where their pupils go on to. Find out more

Our review contains additional entry and exit data reported to us and is updated annually. See the review

Year 7 entry (average 2020-2022)

Year 12 entry (average 2020-2022)

Year 11 exit (average 2020-2022)

Year 13 exit

SEN overview

Fortismere School is a mainstream school. The school may provide support for students with special educational needs as detailed below. If you require more information on conditions the school can support, we encourage you to contact the school directly.

SEN statement

Provided by the school and not part of our review

No comment. Light firmly under bushel - but quite a bright light, in the opinion of the GSG. SEN details added by us.

4.1 %
Students with a SEN EHCP UK mainstream school avg. 2.7%
17.5 %
Students with SEN support UK mainstream school avg. 12.9%

SEN conditons supported

No information available from the school. Find out more.

Ofsted reports

From September 2024, Ofsted no longer makes an overall effectiveness judgement in inspections of state-funded schools.

Full inspection: Good

You can read full reports on the Ofsted website

Personal development Good
Quality of education Good
Behaviour and attitudes Good
Leadership and management Good
Sixth form provision Good

Full inspection: Outstanding

Leadership and management Good
Sixth form provision Outstanding
Our data explained
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