Prendergast School
N/A
Capacity
1,025
Pupils
N/A
Demand
About Prendergast School
Prendergast School is a girls' secondary school in Lewisham that stands out even in a strong local field. It ranks 1st out of 15 state secondary schools in the borough, placing it in the top 25% nationally for Progress 8. Its closest competitor by score is St Matthew Academy, which shares the same 0.57 Progress 8 score, followed by Trinity Church of England School, Lewisham (0.53) and Bonus Pastor Catholic College (0.43). The school is one of only three Outstanding-rated secondaries in Lewisham, and the nearest of those, St Matthew Academy, is just 1.9 km away. Headteacher Kelly Lovegrove leads a school of 1,025 pupils aged 11 to 18, with no religious character. The school's strong local reputation is backed by consistent academic performance that places it well ahead of the Lewisham average.
Academically, Prendergast delivers results that are well above average across the board. Its Progress 8 score of 0.57 means pupils achieve nearly three-fifths of a grade more per subject than peers nationally, and this is well above the Lewisham average of 0.11. The school's Attainment 8 score sits at 57.6, and 78.3% of pupils achieved a grade 4 or above in English and maths (the basics measure). The EBacc entry rate is high at 79.1%, and 60.9% of pupils achieved the EBacc at grade 4 or above. At A-level, the school's progress banding is 'Above average', with a value-added score of 0.15 and an average points per entry of 39.34, equating to a B grade. The best three A-levels average a B grade, and 21.5% of entries were graded AAB or higher. The school's Progress 8 banding is 'Well above average', with particularly strong progress in English (0.69) and open subjects (0.75), though maths progress is more modest at 0.04.
The school offers a broad range of facilities including a swimming pool, astro turf, playing fields, a sixth form centre, and dedicated art studios and music rooms. Sports on offer include football, tennis, hockey, dance, cross country, and martial arts, while clubs range from Art Club and Eco Club to Debate, Drama, and the Duke of Edinburgh's Award. The school is oversubscribed, reflecting its strong local demand, and its Outstanding Ofsted rating will appeal to families who prioritise academic rigour and a well-structured environment. With a sixth form that achieves above-average progress, it suits girls who are aiming for strong GCSE and A-level outcomes and want to stay in a single-sex setting through to 18. Families comparing it to St Matthew Academy or Trinity Church of England School will find Prendergast offers a secular, high-performing alternative with a similarly strong academic profile.
Key Details
| School Type | Secondary (State) |
| Age Range | 11 to 18 years |
| Gender | Girls |
| Religious Character | None |
| Address | Adelaide Avenue, London, Lewisham, SE4 1LE |
| Headteacher | Kelly Lovegrove |
| Local Authority | Lewisham |
| Number of Pupils | 1,025 |
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (+0.57)
405th of 3,141
Nationally
144th of 487
In London
1st of 15
In Lewisham
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
40.5
'22/23
38.7
'23/24
39.3
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
2022/2354%
of A-level / Level 3 leavers go to higher education (cohort: 160 pupils).
Top-tier university progression
37%
Russell Group
40%
Top-third HE
4%
Oxford / Cambridge
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)54%
- Employment19%
- Further education11%
- Not sustained11%
- Other education2%
- Apprenticeship1%
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.
Facilities
10Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
13Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Attendance & Behaviour
2022/2375% 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.
Permanent exclusion is rare — most schools have none in a given 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.
23
Total schools
17
Oversubscribed
18
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 Prendergast School
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
School Admissions Timeline 2026/27
Key dates for primary, secondary and nursery applications
School Open Days Calendar 2026/27
When open days happen and what to look for
Contact Information
Adelaide Avenue, London
Lewisham, SE4 1LE
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
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