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Kingsdale Foundation School

Southwark, SE21 8SQSecondaryAges 11–18MixedState
Ofsted Rating
Outstanding
Mar 2023
Progress 8
+0.68
Well above average
−20+2
Competition
2.2×
Oversubscribed
965 1st-choice / 432 places
Ranking
🏆Top 10%
#298 of 3,141 nationally

About Kingsdale Foundation School

If you’re a parent weighing up Kingsdale Foundation School, the numbers alone tell a compelling story about its popularity. In the 2025/26 admissions round, the school received 2,779 applications for 432 places, an oversubscription ratio of 6.43 to one. Of the 965 families who put it as their first preference, 336 were offered a place. That level of demand suggests a strong reputation among local parents, and it’s backed up by the school’s most recent Ofsted inspection in 2023, which awarded it Outstanding across every category: quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and sixth-form provision. It’s a rating the school has held consistently, having also been judged Outstanding in its previous inspection in 2017. With 1,650 pupils on roll against a capacity of 1,750, Kingsdale is a large, popular secondary that clearly commands confidence in Southwark.

Key Details

School TypeSecondary (State)
Age Range11 to 18 years
GenderMixed
AddressAlleyn Park, Dulwich, Southwark, SE21 8SQ
HeadteacherLee Mason
Local AuthoritySouthwark
Number of Pupils1,650
Free School Meals (FSM)19.3%
School Capacity1,650 / 1,750 (94% full)
Sixth FormYes

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 English
    Strengths, concerns and what inspectors flagged
  • Parent View survey results
    What parents told Ofsted — when the school has 10+ responses
  • Where Ofsted and parents disagree
    Gaps to probe + questions to ask at the open day
  • Admissions & catchment
    Admission criteria, distance cutoffs (where the LA publishes them)
  • Nearby schools compared
    Backup options with Ofsted, demand and distance
  • Attendance & behaviour data
    Persistent absentees, suspensions and exclusions vs national
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Ofsted Inspection Breakdown

28 Mar 2023
View Report
Overall Effectiveness
Outstanding
Quality of Education
Outstanding
Behaviour & Attitudes
Outstanding
Personal Development
Outstanding
Leadership & Management
Outstanding
Sixth Form Provision
Outstanding

Source: Ofsted, 23 May 2023. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.

Facilities

9
Swimming PoolPlaying FieldsSports HallTennis CourtsMusic RoomsSixth Form CentreAstro TurfLibraryDining Hall

Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.

Extracurriculars

13

Sports

CricketAthleticsCross CountryRoundersSwimmingRugbyDance

Clubs & Activities

Film ClubGardeningDramaArt ClubEco ClubDebate

Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.

SEND Support

AutismDyslexiaMental HealthSpeech & LanguageHearingVisionPhysicalLearning DifficultyOther

Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Kingsdale Foundation School

Kingsdale Foundation School has been rated "Outstanding" by Ofsted. This means the school provides an exceptional quality of education, and pupils thrive both academically and personally.