South Bank University Academy
55%
Capacity
491
Pupils
5.3x
Demand
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.
In its most recent graded inspection in 2017, Ofsted rated the school Good overall, with Good marks for leadership and management, and for sixth-form provision. An ungraded inspection in 2022 confirmed the school remains Good. The sixth form, which had 33 students in the 2023/24 data, shows a value-added score of -0.43, meaning students here make less progress than similar students nationally, and the average A-level grade was a D. At GCSE level, the school’s strongest Progress 8 sub-score is in the Ebacc subjects (0.25), while the weakest is in open subjects (-0.49) and maths (-0.35). The school’s Ebacc APS of 3.83 is low, reflecting a narrow take-up of the full Ebacc combination. For a family focused on sixth-form outcomes or high-attaining GCSE results, the data suggests limited evidence of strong academic stretch.
The school is heavily oversubscribed: for 2025/26 entry, it received 138 applications for just 26 places, a ratio of 5.3 applicants per place, and only 15 first-preference offers were made. With 46.9% of pupils eligible for free school meals, the school serves a significantly disadvantaged intake. Facilities include a swimming pool, astro turf, art studios, and a sixth-form centre, and the sports programme covers rowing alongside more traditional options. SEND provision is broad, covering dyslexia, autistic spectrum disorder, and social, emotional and mental health needs. The school is a mixed, non-religious state secondary with a capacity of 900 but currently only 491 pupils on roll, suggesting room for growth. This school will suit families in Southwark who value a Good-rated, inclusive environment with strong pastoral and SEND support, but who are less focused on top-tier academic outcomes or a competitive sixth-form offer.
Key Details
| School Type | Secondary (State) |
| Age Range | 11 to 19 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | None |
| Address | Trafalgar Street, London, Southwark, SE17 2TP |
| Headteacher | Annette Moses |
| Local Authority | Southwark |
| Number of Pupils | 491 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 46.9% |
| School Capacity | 491 / 900 (55% full) |
| Sixth Form | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
9 Jun 2022Overall Effectiveness
Good
Latest inspection (9 Jun 2022): School remains Good
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 11 Jul 2017. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (-0.16)
1919th of 3,141
Nationally
392nd of 487
In London
18th of 19
In Southwark
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE Progress 8 data
GCSE Results
2023/24Progress 8 Score
Students make less 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
30.0
'22/23
27.3
'23/24
21.4
Source: Department for Education 16-18 Performance Tables, 2023/24. Value Added measures progress compared to students with similar GCSE results.
Where GCSE leavers go
2022/2349%
of GCSE leavers stay on for sixth form at this school (cohort: 140 pupils).
- School sixth form (stay)49%
- FE college26%
- Sixth form college14%
- Not sustained5%
- Apprenticeship2%
- Employment1%
93% 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.
Where school leavers go
2022/2356%
of A-level / Level 3 leavers go to higher education (cohort: 57 pupils).
Top-tier university progression
6%
Russell Group
12%
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)56%
- Employment25%
- Not sustained12%
- Apprenticeship4%
- Further education2%
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.
Sixth form A-level subjects
2022/23- Economics17
- Mathematics15
- Sociology14
- Computer Studies / Computing10
- Psychology10
- Business Studies:Single9
- Biology6
- Physics6
- Chemistry5
- Spanish5
- Geography4
- Design and Technology (Product Design)3
Subjects with at least 3 entries in 2022/23. Number shown next to each subject is the number of pupils who sat that A-level exam — a rough indicator of subject popularity at this school. Source: DfE Compare School & College Performance.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
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.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed26
138
Extremely High Demand
Very competitive - significantly more applications than places
15 families put this school as their 1st choice (11% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Class profile
2024/2575% of schools in England do better than this.
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
2024/25Among the highest-disadvantage schools.
Among the highest 25% — a diverse linguistic intake.
Ethnic background
- Mixed18.5%
- White (other)10.2%
- White British6.9%
- Black4.5%
- Asian3.4%
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.
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.
35
Total schools
30
Oversubscribed
24
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 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
Understanding School Catchment Areas
How admission distances work and tips for maximising your choices
Contact Information
Trafalgar Street, London
Southwark, SE17 2TP
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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