South Bank University Academy
About South Bank University Academy
South Bank University Academy’s headline Progress 8 score of -0.16 sits well below the Southwark local authority average of 0.46, placing it 18th out of 19 secondary schools in the borough. That gap is significant — the LA average is nearly two-thirds of a grade per subject higher per pupil. The school’s Attainment 8 score of 44.4, which measures average GCSE performance across eight subjects, also trails the typical picture in Southwark. On the positive side, the school’s overall Progress 8 banding is rated as ‘Average’ nationally, meaning it is not among the lowest-performing schools in the country, but in a competitive London borough like Southwark, it is clearly an outlier. The school’s Ebacc entry rate of 23.3% is modest, and the percentage of pupils achieving a grade 5 or above in English and maths (basics95Pct) is 37.5%, compared with 59.2% achieving a grade 4 or above. For families prioritising strong academic progress relative to the local competition, this school will not be the obvious choice.
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
9 Jun 2022Latest monitoring visit (9 Jun 2022): School remains Good
Source: Ofsted, 11 Jul 2017. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
Facilities
7Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
15Sports
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.
Was this page helpful?
Frequently Asked Questions About South Bank University 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