Harris Academy Merton
89%
Capacity
1,341
Pupils
2.8x
Demand
About Harris Academy Merton
Harris Academy Merton has been rated Outstanding by Ofsted across every category in its most recent inspection, a grade it has now held consistently since at least 2012. The school’s Progress 8 score of 0.67 is the single most telling metric here: it means pupils achieve nearly two-thirds of a grade higher per subject than the national average, and it places the school well above average nationally. That score also sits slightly above the Merton local authority average of 0.63, putting Harris Academy Merton fourth out of eight state secondaries in the borough. The school’s Attainment 8 score of 52.7 and EBacc average point score of 4.84 back up the picture of strong academic performance. With 72.6% of pupils achieving a grade 4 or above in English and maths, and 44.7% hitting the same benchmark in the EBacc, the school is clearly delivering solid results across the board.
At Key Stage 5, the picture is more mixed. The sixth form’s value-added score of -0.44 is below average, meaning students here make less progress than similar pupils nationally, and the progress banding is rated as below average. The average points per entry of 30 equates to a grade C, and the best three A-levels average out at a C as well. Only 7% of entries achieved AAB or higher. That said, the school has a large sixth form of 86 pupils and offers a full range of subjects, and the overall Ofsted rating for sixth form provision remains Outstanding. For families focused on GCSE outcomes, the school’s performance is clearly its strongest suit, with a Progress 8 confidence interval that sits between 0.48 and 0.86, confirming the positive trend is statistically significant.
The school is heavily oversubscribed: for 239 places in Year 7, it received 658 applications, with 203 first-preference applications and 188 offers made to first-preference families. That’s an oversubscription ratio of 2.75, so applying early and as a first choice is essential. Harris Academy Merton is a non-denominational, mixed secondary with 1,341 pupils on roll, and it has a broad range of facilities including a swimming pool, astro turf, tennis courts, a sixth form centre, and a chapel. It supports a wide range of SEND needs, from dyslexia and moderate learning difficulties to autistic spectrum disorder and physical disabilities. With a 34.3% pupil premium rate, the school serves a diverse intake and offers clubs including DofE, Model UN, and orchestra. This is a strong choice for families who prioritise GCSE outcomes and want a large, well-resourced school with a proven track record of adding value at Key Stage 4.
Key Details
| School Type | Secondary (State) |
| Age Range | 11 to 18 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Does not apply |
| Address | Wide Way, Mitcham, Merton, CR4 1BP |
| Headteacher | Aisha Samad |
| Local Authority | Merton |
| Number of Pupils | 1,341 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 34.3% |
| School Capacity | 1,341 / 1,500 (89% full) |
| Sixth Form | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
13 Sept 2022Overall Effectiveness
Outstanding
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 16 Oct 2022. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (+0.67)
310th of 3,141
Nationally
118th of 487
In London
4th of 8
In Merton
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE Progress 8 data
GCSE Results
2023/24Progress 8 Score
Students make significantly more 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.
A-Level Results
2023/24Average Points per Entry
Value Added Score
Best 3 A-Levels (Average)
'21/22
36.8
'22/23
30.7
'23/24
30.0
Source: Department for Education 16-18 Performance Tables, 2023/24. Value Added measures progress compared to students with similar GCSE results.
Where school leavers go
2022/2376%
of A-level / Level 3 leavers go to higher education (cohort: 122 pupils).
Top-tier university progression
16%
Russell Group
18%
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)76%
- Employment13%
- Not sustained7%
- Apprenticeship2%
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.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
10Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
12Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed239
658
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
203 families put this school as their 1st choice (31% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Class profile
2024/25Better than 75% of schools in England.
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
- Asian29.3%
- Mixed11.3%
- White British8.6%
- White (other)7.6%
- Black2.5%
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
2024/25Half of schools in England do better than this.
75% of schools in England do better than this.
Pupils missing 10% or more of sessions.
Half 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.
⚠ This school is oversubscribed — without published cutoff data we can't show how far places reach. Check your council's admissions page.
Schools within 1 mile (reference area)
1 mile is a fixed reference, not this school's catchment.
15
Total schools
13
Oversubscribed
11
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 Harris Academy Merton
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
Understanding School Catchment Areas
How admission distances work and tips for maximising your choices
Contact Information
Wide Way, Mitcham
Merton, CR4 1BP
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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