Advertisement
The Good Schools Guide
Select search type
No locations matching your search. Try schools.
Showing results for

View all reviewed UK schools Search all UK schools
No articles matching your search.
Photo of Graveney School
Reviewed

Graveney School

State school · London, SW17 9BU
  • Secondary
  • Co-ed
  • Ages 11-19
  • 2,181 pupils
We've reviewed this school • Unlock to access

Pupils who manage to get in are assured of a top-class education in a socially mixed environment. Local parents often turn down places at schools like Alleyn’s and Dulwich if their children manage to get a place here.

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.

Unlock to access
Watch Behind-the-scenes of a school review

Overview & data

Pupil numbers
2,181 ·
Sixth form numbers
825 ·
Religion
None
Local authority
London Borough of Wandsworth

Headteacher

Principal

Mrs Cynthia Rickman

Since 2019, Cynthia Rickman, previously vice principal. She is an alumna of the Royal Academy of Music and gained a decade of experience working in education policy development before joining the Graveney senior team in 1998. During those years she

Entrance

For year 7 entry all applicants take the Wandsworth year 6 test. This selects 25 per cent of places by ability (63 pupils out of 2,000 who sit the exam), with 75 per cent selected on proximity to school. Sibling policy now applies to all pupils,

Open days
Virtual Open Days

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

Other 26 %
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.
Penwortham Primary School 19 %
Furzedown Primary School 12 %
Links Primary School 6 %
Hillbrook School 5 %
Tooting Primary School 5 %
Honeywell Junior School 3 %
Belleville Primary School 3 %
Fircroft Primary School 3 %
Franciscan Primary School 3 %
Sellincourt Primary School 2 %
Henry Cavendish Primary School 2 %
Earlsfield Primary School 2 %
Allfarthing Primary School 2 %
Rutherford House School 2 %
Ravenstone Primary School 1 %
Brandlehow Primary School 1 %
Gatton (VA) Primary School 1 %
Telferscot Primary School 1 %
Unknown 1 %
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.
Data highlight

Exit

Up to 20 per cent leave after GCSEs, perhaps because they haven't achieved the crucial grades. Those with poor end of year 12 results are also advised to find alternative courses. Around half to Russell Group universities. Popular destinations

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

School
87%
LA avg.
82%
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, 32 per cent 9-7 at GCSE. In 2023, 47 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 88 per cent 9-4 in both maths and English. At A level, 28 per cent A*/A (57 per cent A*-B).

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

School
76.4%
LA avg.
59.1%
Eng. avg.
45.9%
Data highlight

What is this?

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

A levels or equivalent - Average points score (2024)

School
35.03
LA avg.
33.06
Eng. avg.
34.45
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

School is regarded as one of the top 200 state schools in the country. Thirty-five subjects available at A level – English literature the most popular and film studies recently added to the list. Focus is on the academic subjects. Some 85 per cent of

Qualifications taken in 2024
  • A level
  • BTEC
  • EPQ
  • GCSE
142
Number of teachers
17:1
Pupil to teacher ratio

Learning support & SEN

Large number of students with special needs (55 with EHC plans) – ‘because we have such a good reputation,’ explains school. SENCo and various learning mentors look after these students.

3.1 %
Students with a SEN EHCP
6.4 %
Students with SEN support

Arts & extracurricular

School puts a special emphasis on music. All children eligible for free school meals get free music tuition. Around 350 learn an instrument at school (taught by peripatetic teaching staff) and more learn outside school. Each year around five students

Sport

Everyone is encouraged to take part in team sport and play for their form or house. Sports include rugby, football, volleyball, netball, cricket, tennis, athletics and basketball. One parent complained that there is only one timetabled session of

Ethos & heritage

School is spread out over two campuses so despite its size (around 2,000 students) it doesn’t feel overcrowded. Formerly a teacher training college, the original Georgian building (now rather scruffy) houses the art department. Other buildings have

Pastoral care, inclusivity & discipline

Teachers really do seem to care about each and every student. When we visited we came across the head of art berating an A level student for not completing his coursework. Afterwards she confided, ‘He’ll get an A* but he needs to understand that he

Pupils & parents

Parents include middle class arty types and a good cross-section of the local community. Pupils in the extension group (those selected by ability) travel from further afield whereas others live locally and walk to school. Pupils are proud to belong

2,181
Number of pupils

The last word

Pupils who manage to get in are assured of a top-class education in a socially mixed environment. Local parents often turn down places at schools like Alleyn’s and Dulwich if their children manage to get a place here.

Inspection reports

Ofsted reports

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

Full inspection: Outstanding

You can read full reports on the Ofsted website

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

Full inspection: Outstanding

Leadership and management Outstanding
Sixth form provision Good

This school has not provided any information yet

If you are from this school, please, get in touch to feature images and useful information for parents.

Contact the school

Address

Welham Road
London
SW17 9BU
Get directions

Telephone: 020 8682 7000

Email: info@graveney.wandsworth.sch.uk

Website: https://www.graveney.org

Local authority: London Borough of Wandsworth

View Larger Map

Have you considered?

See all schools
School data & information Graveney School Welham Road, London, SW17 9BU
2,181 Pupil numbers
825 Sixth form numbers
17.1 % % of pupils eligible for free school meals
16 % Pupils whose first language is not English
17:1 Pupil to teacher ratio
142 Number of teachers
15 Number of teaching assistants
Our review contains additional results data reported to us by Graveney School and is updated annually. See the review

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

School
76.4%
LA avg.
59.1%
Eng. avg.
45.9%

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
61.90
LA avg.
52.10
Eng. avg.
45.90

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)

0.74 Score Well 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
Spanish GCSE (9-1) Full Course 121 6
Sociology GCSE (9-1) Full Course 68 7
Religious Studies GCSE (9-1) Full Course 272 7
Physics GCSE (9-1) Full Course 133 8
Physical Education/Sports Studies GCSE (9-1) Full Course 21 5
Music GCSE (9-1) Full Course 22 9
Media/Film/Tv Studies GCSE (9-1) Full Course 47 6
Mathematics GCSE (9-1) Full Course 276 7
History GCSE (9-1) Full Course 159 6
German GCSE (9-1) Full Course 14 9
Geography GCSE (9-1) Full Course 129 7
French GCSE (9-1) Full Course 113 6
English Literature GCSE (9-1) Full Course 276 7
English Language GCSE (9-1) Full Course 277 7
Economics GCSE (9-1) Full Course 99 7
Drama & Theatre Studies GCSE (9-1) Full Course 19 7
Design & Technology GCSE (9-1) Full Course 32 6
D&T Food Technology GCSE (9-1) Full Course 11 4
Computer Studies/Computing GCSE (9-1) Full Course 52 8
Chemistry GCSE (9-1) Full Course 133 8
Biology GCSE (9-1) Full Course 133 8
Astronomy GCSE (9-1) Full Course 16 6
Art & Design (Fine Art) GCSE (9-1) Full Course 27 7

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

School
18.3%
LA avg.
15.4%
Eng. avg.
17.1%

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
35.03
LA avg.
33.06
Eng. avg.
34.45

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 19 A
Sociology GCE A level 56 B
Russian GCE A level 6 A*
Religious Studies GCE A level 14 B
Psychology GCE A level 92 B
Physics GCE A level 46 B
Physical Education / Sports Studies GCE A level 7 C
Music GCE A level 11 A*
Media/Film/Tv Studies GCE A level 28 B
Mathematics (Further) GCE A level 18 A
Mathematics GCE A level 132 B
Logic / Philosophy GCE A level 36 B
History GCE A level 69 B
Government and Politics GCE A level 52 B
Geography GCE A level 37 B
French GCE A level 13 A
Film Studies GCE A level 28 B
English Literature GCE A level 87 B
Economics GCE A level 62 B
Drama and Theatre Studies GCE A level 11 B
Design and Technology (Textiles Technology) GCE A level 7 B
Design and Technology (Product Design) GCE A level 13 B
Computer Studies / Computing GCE A level 26 B
Chemistry GCE A level 62 A
Biology GCE A level 62 B
Art and Design (Photography) GCE A level 6 B
Art and Design (Fine Art) GCE A level 17 B
Spanish GCE AS level 24 B
Sociology GCE AS level 64 B
Religious Studies GCE AS level 14 B
Psychology GCE AS level 100 B
Physics GCE AS level 51 B
Physical Education / Sports Studies GCE AS level 9 D
Music GCE AS level 12 A
Media/Film/Tv Studies GCE AS level 2 B
Mathematics (Further) GCE AS level 20 A
Mathematics GCE AS level 142 B
History GCE AS level 76 B
Government and Politics GCE AS level 56 B
Geography GCE AS level 47 B
French GCE AS level 16 B
Film Studies GCE AS level 39 B
English Literature GCE AS level 92 B
Economics GCE AS level 64 C
Drama and Theatre Studies GCE AS level 12 A
Design and Technology (Textiles Technology) GCE AS level 9 A
Design and Technology (Product Design) GCE AS level 14 C
Computer Studies / Computing GCE AS level 29 B
Chemistry GCE AS level 70 B
Biology GCE AS level 69 B
Art and Design (Photography) GCE AS level 9 B
Art and Design (Fine Art) GCE AS level 23 B

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

Recent feeder schools

Year 7 entry (average 2020-2022)

Year 12 entry (average 2020-2022)

Year 11 exit (average 2020-2022)

Year 13 exit

SEN overview

Graveney 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 from the school, but a good number of statemented students, reportedly make good progress. Those with behavioural difficulties are well-supported, via social inclusion unit.

3.1 %
Students with a SEN EHCP UK mainstream school avg. 2.7%
6.4 %
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: Outstanding

You can read full reports on the Ofsted website

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

Full inspection: Outstanding

Leadership and management Outstanding
Sixth form provision Good
Our data explained
Advertisement