Global Academy
83%
Capacity
495
Pupils
N/A
Demand
About Global Academy
Global Academy, a state secondary in Hillingdon for pupils aged 14 to 19, was judged Good overall in its most recent Ofsted inspection in March 2025, but the detail tells a more nuanced story. The school received Outstanding ratings for its sixth-form provision, personal development, and behaviour and attitudes, while leadership and management and quality of education were both rated Good. However, the most telling academic metric is its Progress 8 score of -1.9, which places it in the bottom 50 nationally and ranks it 21st out of 21 schools in the Hillingdon local authority. This means that, on average, pupils at Global Academy achieve nearly two grades lower per subject across eight GCSEs than pupils with similar starting points nationally. The school’s Attainment 8 score sits at 27.3, and just 25% of pupils achieved a grade 5 or above in English and maths. No pupils entered the EBacc combination of subjects.
The contrast between the school’s strong Ofsted behaviour and personal development grades and its weak academic outcomes is striking. The local authority average Progress 8 score is 0.06, so Global Academy sits well below that benchmark. Its Ebacc average point score is 2.47, and the Progress 8 breakdown shows negative scores across all subject areas, with the weakest being open subjects at -3.28. That said, the school’s sixth form was singled out as Outstanding, which may reflect a different experience for post-16 students. Parent View responses from the period September 2024 to September 2025 show 90% of the 87 respondents would recommend the school, and strong majorities agreed or strongly agreed that their child is happy, feels safe, and does well. Notably, 100% of parents with SEND children agreed the school gives them the support they need.
The school operates from a site with a wide range of facilities, including a swimming pool, theatre, astro turf, tennis courts, and a sixth form centre. It offers a broad set of sports and clubs, from rowing and martial arts to chess and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. SEND provisions cover specific learning difficulties, autism, speech and language needs, and social, emotional and mental health support. With 34% of pupils eligible for free school meals, the school serves a relatively disadvantaged intake. It is oversubscribed, with 495 pupils against a capacity of 600. This school may suit families who prioritise a supportive, well-behaved environment and strong sixth-form provision over headline GCSE results, particularly for children who have struggled in more academically pressured settings.
Key Details
| School Type | Secondary (State) |
| Age Range | 14 to 19 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Does not apply |
| Address | The Old Vinyl Factory, Hayes, Middlesex, Hillingdon, UB3 1DH |
| Headteacher | James Murray-Walsh |
| Local Authority | Hillingdon |
| Number of Pupils | 495 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 34.0% |
| School Capacity | 495 / 600 (83% full) |
| Sixth Form | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
4 Mar 2025Quality of Education
Good
Since Sep 2024, Ofsted no longer assigns a single overall grade
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 24 Mar 2025. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (-1.90)
3125th of 3,141
Nationally
486th of 487
In London
21st of 21
In Hillingdon
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE Progress 8 data
GCSE Results
2023/24Progress 8 Score
Students make significantly less progress than similar students nationally
Attainment 8 (vs national avg)
Students achieve significantly higher grades than the national average
Source: Department for Education, 2023/24. Progress 8 compares to students with similar Key Stage 2 results.
Where GCSE leavers go
2022/2345%
of GCSE leavers stay on for sixth form at this school (cohort: 75 pupils).
- School sixth form (stay)45%
- FE college29%
- Not sustained8%
- Employment5%
- Sixth form college4%
- Apprenticeship4%
89% of leavers had a sustained destination 6 months on.
Source: DfE Compare School & College Performance, KS4 pupil destinations 2022/23 (revised). Only state-funded schools are required to report.
Where school leavers go
2022/2339%
of A-level / Level 3 leavers go to higher education (cohort: 87 pupils).
Top-tier university progression
5%
Russell Group
7%
Top-third HE
Percentages of the whole cohort (not just HE-goers). Russell Group = 24 elite research universities. Top-third HE = top by mean UCAS tariff.
- University (HE)39%
- Employment24%
- Apprenticeship20%
- Not sustained8%
- Other education5%
Sources: DfE 16-18 destination measures (broad bucket); DfE KS5 student destinations file (Russell Group / top-third HE / Oxbridge). Level 3 cohort. “Sustained” means the pupil was in education, apprenticeship or employment for 6 months in the year following completion.
Ofsted Parent View
87 responsesWould Recommend This School
Source: Ofsted Parent View (GOV.UK statistical data), Sep – Sep 2025
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
13Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
19Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Class profile
2024/2575% of schools in England do better than this.
Better than 75% of schools in England.
Lower is generally better — fewer pupils per teacher or per class means more individual attention. Sources: DfE School Workforce Census & Schools, pupils and their characteristics, 2024/25.
Pupils & demographics
2024/25Above the national average (25%) — higher-disadvantage intake.
Above the national median (10%) — a meaningful share speak English as an additional language.
Ethnic background
- White British38.6%
- Mixed14.4%
- White (other)11.5%
- Asian9.3%
- Black2.2%
Source: DfE Schools, pupils and their characteristics (2024/25). Percentages may not sum to 100% — pupils classified as “unclassified”, “refused” or minor categories are not shown.
Attendance & Behaviour
2024/2575% of schools in England do better than this.
75% of schools in England do better than this.
Pupils missing 10% or more of sessions.
75% of schools in England do better than this.
A pupil temporarily sent home for behaviour.
Like most schools in England, no pupils were permanently excluded this year.
Ranks vs all state-funded schools in England. Source: DfE Pupil absence in schools & Suspensions and permanent exclusions.
Catchment & Local Competition
No catchment data published for this school
The dashed grey ring is a generic 1-mile reference area — it's not an admission boundary. Real catchment depends on year, demand, and council criteria. We currently have real data for about 6% of UK schools and are actively expanding the database.
Schools within 1 mile (reference area)
1 mile is a fixed reference, not this school's catchment.
9
Total schools
6
Oversubscribed
6
Primary
Don’t use the dashed grey ring as a catchment boundary — it’s a reference area for counting nearby schools only. Real admission boundaries depend on year-by-year demand and council criteria; ask the school or council for authoritative info.
Frequently Asked Questions About Global Academy
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
Understanding Progress 8
Learn how Progress 8 measures pupil progress from primary to GCSE
SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights
School Admissions Timeline 2026/27
Key dates for primary, secondary and nursery applications
Contact Information
The Old Vinyl Factory, Hayes, Middlesex
Hillingdon, UB3 1DH
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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