City of London Academy (Southwark)

About City of London Academy (Southwark)

City of London Academy (Southwark) is a large mixed secondary and sixth form in the Southwark local authority, serving 1,576 pupils aged 11 to 19. It sits within a competitive local landscape where three schools rank above it by academic performance: The St Thomas the Apostle College, Sacred Heart Catholic School, and Harris Boys' Academy East Dulwich. The nearest school rated Outstanding by Ofsted is Harris Academy Bermondsey, just 0.6 km away, and across Southwark’s 24 secondary schools, 12 hold that top grade. City of London Academy itself is rated Good, a solid position in a borough with strong provision. The school is non-religious and led by headteacher Michael Baxter, with a broad range of facilities including a swimming pool, theatre, chapel, and dedicated sixth form centre.

Academically, the school’s most recent Ofsted inspection judged it Good overall, with particular strengths in behaviour and attitudes, and personal development. While the data does not include the school’s own Progress 8 score, the Southwark local authority average Progress 8 is 0.46, which is above the national average of zero, indicating that schools in the area generally add strong value. City of London Academy offers a full secondary curriculum through to A-levels in its sixth form, and its wide array of clubs — from Eco Club and Coding to Model UN and Newspaper — suggests a focus on enrichment beyond the classroom. The school also provides a range of sports including football, rugby, cricket, and gymnastics, supported by playing fields, tennis courts, and a sports hall.

For families considering this school, the practical offer is substantial. Facilities are unusually extensive for a state school, with a swimming pool, gymnasium, art studios, music rooms, and a library all on site. The sixth form centre indicates a clear pathway for students who wish to stay on post-16. The school is oversubscribed in a competitive local market, so parents should be aware of admissions criteria. The chapel on site is a notable feature given the school’s non-religious character, likely used for assemblies or community events. City of London Academy will suit families who want a large, well-equipped secondary with strong enrichment and a Good Ofsted rating, in a borough where many schools perform above the national average.

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