Ages
A shining example of an excellent school. Parents and pupils are aware that they have picked the golden ticket if they can get an education here - the results are evidence of top quality teaching, and pupils' involvement and happiness are enhanced by the wide enrichment programme, whilst the pastoral care provides a tight safety net. If you want a top-notch inclusive comprehensive education, this is the place to go.
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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
- 1,359 ·
- Sixth form numbers
- 311 ·
- Religion
- C of E
- Local authority
- London Borough of Islington
- Linked schools
Headteacher
Headteacher
Ms V Linsley
Since 2012, Vicky Linsley: she joined the school as deputy head in 2008 and credit must go to her for the transformation of this school to a highly oversubscribed ‘extremely well run’ school with fantastic results. She was a scholarship child who
Entrance
Of the 210 places in year 7, 30 come from SMMA primary school, then preference to children in care and siblings of pupils in the school. Ten per cent selective on language aptitude (400 children sat for those 18 places recently). Remaining places
- Open days
- September (ticket required)
Exit
The 50 per cent or so that leave after GCSEs go to eg Woodhouse, Camden Girls or City and Islington College. But ‘why would I go somewhere less good than here just to have a change?’ Some 40 per cent of sixth formers go to Russell Group universiti
% 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 2024, 40 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 81 per cent 9-4 in both maths and English; 40 per cent A*/A at A level (71 per cent A*-B).
Results data - % of pupils meeting expected standard in reading, writing and maths (2024)
% of pupils meeting expected standard
Pupils are meeting the expected standard if they achieve a scaled score of 100 or more in their reading and maths tests, and their teacher assesses them as 'working at the expected standard' or better in writing.
% 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
The school has no qualms about saying that it has ‘a clear focus on academic achievement’ and it works to develop ‘globally-minded citizens who are happy and successful’. For financial reasons it has stopped teaching the IB, but the IB ethos has s
- Qualifications taken in 2024
- A level
- EPQ
- GCSE
Learning support & SEN
Special needs supported by SENCo with ASD specialism and part-time dyslexia specialist; all pupils screened before joining school. Some 13 pupils in school with EHCPs, and 70 accessing support in or outside school. Those who just need an extra bit
Arts & extracurricular
School is open from 7.30am when children can be found in the chess club, martial arts training, extra lessons, or just coming in for the £1 breakfast. The day often ends late, so plenty of time for clubs before, during and after school.
Art
Sport
Games in huge soundproofed state-of-the-art gym - no whistles or shouting needed to get classes playing team sports (basketball, hockey, dance, trampoline, cricket, badminton) for weekly two hours' PE. Astroturf on the roof for football and other
Ethos & heritage
This is a London diocese sponsored school and the motto (James 3:13) ‘show by a good life that your works are done by gentleness born of wisdom’ sets the tone. A sense of kindness and action and learning emanates. RIBA awards for this purpose-buil
Pastoral care, inclusivity & discipline
Spiritual, moral, social and cultural education embedded in the school through curriculum lessons as well as assemblies and activities and in-form time. Full-time chaplain for guidance and support. ‘Reverend April is my son’s favourite person in t
Mobile phone policy
A clear mobile phone policy is a really important part of modern schooling. This school has provided us with their policy.
Mobile phone policy
Provided by the school and not part of our review
Pupils can have a mobile phone in their pocket or bag, however, it must be switched off. If phones are seen or heard they will be confiscated and a parent/carer will be required to collect the phone on the day of confiscation up until 5pm. If the phone is not collected on the same day the pupil can collect at the end of the next school day. When leaving school at the end of the day pupils must not get their phone out as they leave class, or anywhere in the building, it will be confiscated. If pupils want to message home to let parents/carers know they are leaving school they can do so in the allocated area only.
Pupils & parents
The school is mostly non-selective and reflects the diversity of the area well. ‘We chose it over an independent school because there is no sense of entitlement here, and our child has really polite, kind friendships with kids he would never have
The last word
A shining example of an excellent school. Parents and pupils are aware that they have picked the golden ticket if they can get an education here - the results are evidence of top quality teaching, and pupils' involvement and happiness are enhanced
Inspection reports
Ofsted reports
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 |
| Early years provision | Good |
Full inspection: Good
| Leadership and management | Good |
|---|
