South Bank University Sixth Form

About South Bank University Sixth Form

South Bank University Sixth Form is a state-funded, mixed sixth-form college in Lambeth, London, serving 294 students aged 16 to 19. It sits within a competitive local landscape of 23 secondary schools in the borough, where only four hold an Outstanding rating from Ofsted. The nearest Outstanding school is La Retraite Roman Catholic Girls' School, 1.9 km away. Among its local peers, South Bank University Sixth Form ranks behind The Elms Academy, Oasis Academy South Bank, and Bishop Thomas Grant Catholic Secondary School, which occupy the top three spots in Lambeth's same-type school rankings. The school is led by headteacher Kishan Pithia and operates from a site that includes a theatre, library, ICT suite, music rooms, science labs, astro turf, a chapel, and a dedicated sixth form centre. Its official sixth form status means it focuses entirely on post-16 education, with no nursery or boarding provision.

In its most recent 2023/24 academic year data, South Bank University Sixth Form's A-level performance paints a mixed picture. The school recorded a points per entry score of 14.38, which translates to an average grade of E+. This is notably below the national benchmark, and the value-added score of -0.4 suggests students achieved slightly lower grades than expected given their prior attainment. The value-added confidence interval ranges from -1.05 to 0.26, placing the school's progress banding at 'Average' — meaning the result is not statistically significant. Only seven pupils were included in this measure, a very small cohort that makes direct comparisons tricky. For context, Lambeth's average Progress 8 score for secondary schools is 0.07, but this figure applies to KS4, not KS5, so a direct like-for-like comparison isn't possible. The school does not publish data on AAB grades, best three A-level grades, or maths progress.

The school offers a broad range of sports including badminton, hockey, netball, cricket, rugby, and football, alongside clubs such as chess, art club, Young Enterprise, film club, debate, orchestra, choir, and Model UN. Its SEND provisions are comprehensive, covering specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, moderate learning difficulty, social, emotional and mental health needs, speech, language and communication needs, autistic spectrum disorder, and other difficulties or disabilities. With a capacity of 600 but only 294 pupils currently enrolled, the school is significantly undersubscribed, which may appeal to families seeking a smaller, less pressured sixth-form environment. The religious character is listed as 'Does not apply', making it a secular option. This school would suit students who value a wide extracurricular offering and dedicated SEND support, though its academic outcomes suggest it may not be the strongest choice for those targeting top university grades.

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