South Chingford Foundation School
About South Chingford Foundation School
South Chingford Foundation School is a mixed state secondary in Waltham Forest that parents clearly want to get into. For the 2025/26 intake, the school received 200 applications for just 56 places, giving an oversubscription ratio of 3.57. Only 31 first-preference offers were made, so competition is stiff. The school doesn't publish a parent recommendation percentage in its data, but the sheer demand suggests a solid local reputation. It's a Good-rated school with a sixth form, serving 617 pupils against a capacity of 675, so there's a little breathing room. Over a third of students (36.3%) are eligible for free school meals, which is well above the national average and points to a genuinely comprehensive intake. The headteacher is Emma Hobbs, and the school has no religious character.
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
15 Sept 2021Latest monitoring visit (15 Sept 2021): School remains Good
Source: Ofsted, 13 Jun 2016. 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 Chingford Foundation 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
School Admissions Timeline 2026/27
Key dates for primary, secondary and nursery applications