The City of London Academy Southwark

About The City of London Academy Southwark

The City of London Academy Southwark holds a Good rating from its most recent Ofsted inspection in 2021, with every category — quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and sixth-form provision — all rated Good. The single most telling exam metric is its Progress 8 score of 0.48, which places it in the top 25% of schools nationally and ranks it 8th out of 19 secondary schools in Southwark. This score means that, on average, pupils achieve nearly half a grade more per subject than pupils with similar starting points across England. The school’s Attainment 8 score of 53.4 and its EBacc average point score of 4.97 further underline solid academic performance. In English, Progress 8 is particularly strong at 0.86, while maths sits at 0.23, suggesting English provision is a standout area. The school also has a high basics measure, with 78.9% of pupils achieving a grade 4 or above in English and maths.

At A-level, the school’s sixth form is rated Good and shows above average value added of 0.24, with a confidence interval that confirms genuine progress beyond the national average. The average points per entry is 36.83, equivalent to a B- grade, and the best three A-levels average out at a B- as well. Just over 12% of entries achieved AAB or higher in at least two facilitating subjects. The school’s Progress 8 score of 0.48 is slightly above the Southwark local authority average of 0.46, placing it in the top half of the borough. Compared with its previous inspection in 2011, when it was also rated Good, the school has maintained consistent quality. The EBacc entry rate is 65.2%, with 47.1% of pupils achieving the EBacc at grade 4 or above, reflecting a strong focus on academic breadth.

The school is heavily oversubscribed: for 2025/26, it received 718 applications for 241 places, an oversubscription ratio of nearly 3 to 1, with 185 first-preference offers made from 207 first-preference applications. Facilities are comprehensive and include a swimming pool, theatre, sports hall, music rooms, and a sixth form centre. Sports on offer include rowing, hockey, and gymnastics, while clubs range from Model UN and Young Enterprise to the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. The school supports a wide range of SEND needs, including autistic spectrum disorder, speech and language difficulties, and social, emotional and mental health needs. With 47.4% of pupils eligible for free school meals, it serves a diverse and disadvantaged intake. This is a school that suits families looking for a large, inclusive London secondary with strong academic progress, a well-regarded sixth form, and a broad extracurricular offer.

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