Ages
A large and flourishing comprehensive that's lifted above the crowd by its results and amazing music and attracts many aspirational families into the area. Plan early if you want your child to go.
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
- 1,140 ·
- Sixth form numbers
- 356 ·
- Local authority
- London Borough of Lewisham
Headteacher
Executive principal
Katie Scott
Since 2020, Katie Scott, previously head at Langley Park School for Girls. Has also been part of the team at Haberdashers' Knights Academy which supported the transition of Mallory School into the Trust. This is her third headship. Grew up in the
Entrance
Two form entry to primary school. Sixty places in reception, with four more available further up the school. Usual state school admissions criteria apply: looked after children, medical needs, siblings, proximity. Oversubscribed. About 25 children
- Open days
- September
Entry and exit data - year 7 entry (average 2020-2022)
Exit
Almost all primary pupils transfer to HAHC secondary phase, to which they have automatic right of entry. After year 11 about half progress to the school's sixth form, the rest to a variety of post-16 provision. Some don't get the grades necessary
% students progressing to higher education or training (2021 leavers)
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 2022, 34 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 48 per cent A*-B at A level. In 2019 (the last pre-pandemic results), 25 per cent 9-7 at GCSE.
% of pupils achieving grade 5 or above (A* to C) in English and maths GCSE (2024)
What is this?
This tells you the percentage of pupils who achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths GCSEs.
% of pupils achieving AAB or higher, including at least 2 facilitating subjects (2024)
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.
Teaching & learning
One of the primary phase's unique selling points (the other is its music) is its German immersion programme, which pupils begin in year 1. According to the school, the children are taught for half a day, every day, in German, and staff with abilit
- Qualifications taken in 2024
- A level
- BTEC
- GCSE
- VRQ
Learning support & SEN
Parents report that SEN provision is much improved and HAHC is the borough’s school of choice for wheelchair-using students.
Arts & extracurricular
The primary phase music was uniformly praised. Class music begins in reception, everyone learns recorder in year 3, and in year 4 those who are progressing well - generally around half of the class - are invited to learn violin, cello or clarinet.
Sport
The school has its own sports centre in Nunhead, and students can do cricket, basketball, volleyball, football, netball and rugby (when we visited, the rugby team were about to head off to play another Haberdashers’ school in Monmouth). Sport play
Ethos & heritage
One of the Haberdashers' 'family' of schools, both state and independent, and one of three schools in the Haberdashers' Aske's Federation, the others being Knight's Academy in Bromley and Crayford Academy in Bexley.
The primary phase was or
Pastoral care, inclusivity & discipline
Behaviour at HAHC reflects the school's large and diverse intake, but is perfectly fine, and all pupils we spoke to reported feeling safe here. The uniform is smart and smartly worn.
Many people commented on the school's 'good and healthy'
Pupils & parents
Reflecting the area, this is a very diverse community both socially and culturally, with about 50 per cent of pupils coming from ethnic minorities. As one member of staff dryly observed, at the end of the school day equal numbers turn either right
Money matters
State-funded academy. Parents not asked to pay voluntary contributions, and vice principal looked astonished when we asked if they were. Unusual and generous provision of scholarships to the 10 per cent selected on musical aptitude – the school wi
The last word
A large and flourishing comprehensive that's lifted above the crowd by its results and amazing music and attracts many aspirational families into the area. Plan early if you want your child to go.
Inspection reports
Ofsted reports
Short inspection: Good
You can read full reports on the Ofsted website
| Leadership and management | Good |
|---|---|
| Sixth form provision | Good |
| Early years provision | Outstanding |
Full inspection: Outstanding
| Leadership and management | Outstanding |
|---|
