Sarah Bonnell School
94%
Capacity
1,275
Pupils
2.8x
Demand
About Sarah Bonnell School
Sarah Bonnell School is clearly a popular choice among local families. For the 2025/26 intake, the school received 640 applications for 231 places, giving an oversubscription ratio of 2.77, meaning nearly three families applied for every available spot. Of those 640 applications, 163 were first-preference choices, and 161 of those families were offered a place. This level of demand suggests strong confidence in the school from parents in Newham. The school is a girls-only state secondary for ages 11 to 16, with no sixth form, and is led by headteacher Rae Potter. With 1,275 pupils on roll against a capacity of 1,350, it is running close to full, which further underscores its standing in the local area.
Academically, Sarah Bonnell performs well above the local average. Its Progress 8 score of 0.46 is significantly higher than the Newham LA average of 0.13, placing it 6th out of 21 schools in the borough and in the top 25% nationally. The school’s Attainment 8 score is 56.4, and 78.7% of pupils achieved a grade 4 or above in English and maths. In its most recent Ofsted inspection in 2022, the school was rated Good overall, with Outstanding marks for both personal development and behaviour and attitudes. Leadership and management, along with the quality of education, were rated Good. The previous inspection in 2013 also rated the school Good overall, with Outstanding leadership and management, showing consistent strength in leadership over time.
The school offers a wide range of facilities, including a swimming pool, astro turf, tennis courts, a theatre, and a chapel. Sports on offer include swimming, tennis, cricket, rowing, and martial arts, while clubs range from Debate and Model UN to Gardening and Orchestra. For pupils with additional needs, the school provides support for a broad spectrum of SEND, including specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, autistic spectrum disorder, and social, emotional and mental health needs. Given its strong academic outcomes, high demand, and comprehensive facilities, Sarah Bonnell is a strong fit for families in Newham seeking a well-regarded girls’ secondary that delivers above-average progress without a sixth form attached.
Key Details
| School Type | Secondary (State) |
| Age Range | 11 to 16 years |
| Gender | Girls |
| Religious Character | Does not apply |
| Address | Deanery Road, London, Newham, E15 4LP |
| Headteacher | Rae Potter |
| Local Authority | Newham |
| Number of Pupils | 1,275 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 54.0% |
| School Capacity | 1,275 / 1,350 (94% full) |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
2 Nov 2022Overall Effectiveness
Good
Source: Ofsted, 13 Dec 2022. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (+0.46)
550th of 3,141
Nationally
179th of 487
In London
6th of 21
In Newham
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE Progress 8 data
GCSE Results
2023/24Progress 8 Score
Students make 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.
Where GCSE leavers go
2022/2344%
of GCSE leavers stay on for sixth form at this school (cohort: 237 pupils).
- School sixth form (stay)44%
- Sixth form college37%
- FE college10%
- Not sustained3%
- Employment1%
96% 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.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
12Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
14Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed231
640
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
163 families put this school as their 1st choice (25% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
School day
Teaching hours
08:30 – 15:00
Source: sarahbonnell.ncltrust.net. Extracted automatically — confirm with the school before relying on these times.
Class profile
2024/25Better than half of schools in England.
Better than half 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
2024/25Among the highest-disadvantage schools.
Among the highest 25% — a diverse linguistic intake.
Ethnic background
- Asian59.5%
- White (other)7.3%
- Mixed6.6%
- White British2.4%
- Black2.4%
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.
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.
⚠ 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.
32
Total schools
24
Oversubscribed
17
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 Sarah Bonnell 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
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
Deanery Road, London
Newham, E15 4LP
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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