Haberdashers' Borough Academy
About Haberdashers' Borough Academy
Haberdashers' Borough Academy is a mixed state secondary in Southwark with 917 pupils on roll against a capacity of 1,150, so it is not yet full. But demand is strong: for 174 places in the 2025/26 admissions round, it received 606 total applications, an oversubscription ratio of 3.48. Of those, 169 were first-preference applications, and 139 first-preference offers were made. The school serves a notably diverse intake — 47.3% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the national average of around 23% and significantly higher than the Southwark secondary average of roughly 30%. This suggests a community with higher-than-average levels of disadvantage, and the admissions data reflects genuine local demand rather than a selective intake. Headteacher Thomas Howells leads a school that, in its most recent Ofsted inspection, was rated Good overall, with leadership and management judged Outstanding — a strong signal for parents weighing up options in a borough with 12 outstanding-rated secondaries.
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
5 Mar 2024Source: Ofsted, 25 Apr 2024. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
Facilities
7Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
17Sports
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.
School day
Teaching hours
08:30 – 15:15
Source: habsborough.org.uk. Extracted automatically — confirm with the school before relying on these times.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Haberdashers' Borough 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