Glenthorne High School

About Glenthorne High School

Glenthorne High School is clearly a popular choice among local families. In the 2025/26 admissions round, the school received 1,867 applications for just 237 places, giving an oversubscription ratio of 7.88 to one. Of the 442 families who put it as their first preference, 191 were offered a place, meaning that even among those who really wanted to get in, fewer than half succeeded. That level of demand suggests parents in Sutton see something they like. The school is a mixed, non-religious secondary with a sixth form, and it currently has 1,782 pupils on roll, which is well above its official capacity of 1,558. That squeeze on space is a practical reality for anyone considering it: getting a place is competitive, and the odds are stacked against applicants who don't live very close or meet the admissions criteria.

Academically, Glenthorne performs strongly. Its Progress 8 score of 0.75 is rated 'well above average' nationally and sits comfortably above the Sutton local authority average of 0.53. That means pupils here make significantly more progress than similar students elsewhere. The Attainment 8 score is 60.8, and 90.4% of pupils achieved a grade 4 or above in English and maths. The school also pushes the English Baccalaureate: 65.8% of pupils entered the EBacc combination, and 55.4% achieved it at grade 4 or above. In its most recent Ofsted inspection in 2021, the school was rated Good overall, with Outstanding marks for behaviour and attitudes and for sixth-form provision. The sixth form itself achieves a B- average across the best three A-levels, with a points per entry grade of B. The value-added score is -0.04, which is classed as average, so while the sixth form is strong, it doesn't add as much academic value as the main school does.

The school offers a wide range of facilities, including a swimming pool, sports hall, astro turf, tennis courts, and a dedicated sixth-form centre. There are clubs covering everything from chess and choir to Model UN and Young Enterprise. Sports provision includes basketball, rugby, netball, martial arts, and athletics. For families with children who have additional needs, Glenthorne has a resourced provision and supports a broad range of SEND categories, including autistic spectrum disorder, speech and language needs, and specific learning difficulties like dyslexia. The school is located in Sutton, a borough with five Outstanding secondaries, and Glenthorne ranks 7th out of 16 similar schools locally. It suits families who want a large, oversubscribed comprehensive with strong academic results, a well-regarded sixth form, and a good range of extracurriculars, but who are prepared for the reality of a competitive admissions process.

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