Ashmole Academy
About Ashmole Academy
Ashmole Academy is a large, mixed secondary school in the London borough of Barnet that is significantly oversubscribed, a clear signal of its popularity among local families. With 1,823 pupils on roll against a capacity of 1,551, the school is operating well above its official limit, and for the 2025/26 admissions round it received 1,165 applications for just 256 places — an oversubscription ratio of 4.55 to one. Of those applicants, 336 put the school as their first preference, and 229 first-preference offers were made. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals stands at 11.4%, which is slightly below the national average for secondary schools and suggests a relatively advantaged intake compared with many state schools. The school has no religious character and is led by headteacher Balbinder Dhinsa, who has been in post since at least the most recent Ofsted inspection in 2021.
Key Details
The full report on this school
The inspection in plain English, admissions context, and how this school compares to nearby alternatives — all in one full school report.
- Ofsted inspection in plain EnglishStrengths, concerns and what inspectors flagged
- Parent View survey resultsWhat parents told Ofsted — when the school has 10+ responses
- Where Ofsted and parents disagreeGaps to probe + questions to ask at the open day
- Admissions & catchmentAdmission criteria, distance cutoffs (where the LA publishes them)
- Nearby schools comparedBackup options with Ofsted, demand and distance
- Attendance & behaviour dataPersistent absentees, suspensions and exclusions vs national
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
30 Nov 2021Source: Ofsted, 31 Jan 2022. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
Facilities
8Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
15Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Ashmole Academy
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
Understanding Progress 8
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SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights
Understanding School Catchment Areas
How admission distances work and tips for maximising your choices