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Reviewed

St Mary Magdalene Academy

State school · London, N7 8PG
  • Secondary
  • Co-ed
  • Ages 11-19
  • 1,359 pupils
We've reviewed this school • Unlock to access

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.

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

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)

School
85%
LA avg.
67%
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, 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)

School
93%
LA avg.
67%
Eng. avg.
61%
Data highlight

% 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)

School
80%
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.

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

School
28%
LA avg.
17%
Eng. avg.
20%
Data highlight

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
94
Number of teachers
17:1
Pupil to teacher ratio

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

2 %
Students with a SEN EHCP
13 %
Students with SEN support

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.

Updated Oct 2024

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

1,359
Number of pupils

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

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
Early years provision Good

Full inspection: Good

Leadership and management Good

What the school says

A one class primary with a much larger intake at 11

Contact the school

Address

Liverpool Road
London
N7 8PG
Get directions

Have you considered?

School data & information St Mary Magdalene Academy Liverpool Road, London, N7 8PG
1,359 Pupil numbers
758/599 Pupil numbers boy/girls split
311 Sixth form numbers
32 % % of pupils eligible for free school meals
23 % Pupils whose first language is not English
17:1 Pupil to teacher ratio
94 Number of teachers
24 Number of teaching assistants

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.

Updated Oct 2024
Our review contains additional results data reported to us by St Mary Magdalene Academy and is updated annually. See the review

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

School
80%
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
56.60
LA avg.
48.00
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)

0.31 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
Spanish GCSE (9-1) Full Course 55 5
Sociology GCSE (9-1) Full Course 47 6
Religious Studies GCSE (9-1) Full Course 146 7
Physics GCSE (9-1) Full Course 66 8
Physical Education/Sports Studies GCSE (9-1) Full Course 9 5
Music GCSE (9-1) Full Course 21 6
Mathematics GCSE (9-1) Full Course 179 6
History GCSE (9-1) Full Course 97 6
German GCSE (9-1) Full Course 15 7
Geography GCSE (9-1) Full Course 73 6
French GCSE (9-1) Full Course 20 8
English Literature GCSE (9-1) Full Course 176 6
English Language GCSE (9-1) Full Course 177 6
Design & Technology GCSE (9-1) Full Course 34 5
Chinese GCSE (9-1) Full Course 27 9
Chemistry GCSE (9-1) Full Course 66 8
Biology GCSE (9-1) Full Course 66 8
Astronomy GCSE (9-1) Full Course 6 6
Art & Design GCSE (9-1) Full Course 18 6

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

School
28%
LA avg.
17%
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
40.04
LA avg.
36.70
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
German GCE AS level 3 E
Spanish GCE A level 7 B
Sociology GCE A level 29 A
Psychology GCE A level 35 B
Physics GCE A level 16 B
Mathematics (Further) GCE A level 12 A*
Mathematics GCE A level 69 A
Logic / Philosophy GCE A level 13 B
History GCE A level 21 B
Government and Politics GCE A level 13 B
Geography GCE A level 13 B
French GCE A level 8 B
English Literature GCE A level 26 B
Economics GCE A level 21 B
Design and Technology (Product Design) GCE A level 7 B
Computer Studies / Computing GCE A level 14 C
Chemistry GCE A level 37 B
Biology GCE A level 38 B
Art and Design GCE A level 8 C

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 12 entry (average 2020-2022)

Year 11 exit (average 2020-2022)

Year 13 exit

SEN overview

St Mary Magdalene Academy 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.

2 %
Students with a SEN EHCP UK mainstream school avg. 2%
13 %
Students with SEN support UK mainstream school avg. 12%

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
Early years provision Good

Full inspection: Good

Leadership and management Good
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