St Mary Magdalene Academy
114%
Capacity
1,554
Pupils
6.3x
Demand
About St Mary Magdalene Academy
St Mary Magdalene Academy is a state-funded Church of England secondary school serving the Islington community, welcoming children from age 4 to 19. The school has 1,554 pupils on roll and is near full capacity (114% of 1,360 places).
the school is led by headteacher John Reardon, it falls under Islington local authority.
In terms of academic performance, its Progress 8 score of +0.30 is above the national average. Additionally, Attainment 8 is strong at 56.6. Additionally, sixth form students achieve an average A-Level grade of B. Additionally, ranked 835th out of 3,141 schools in England. Additionally, 4th out of 9 in Islington.
St Mary Magdalene Academy is a popular choice with families — it received 1,046 applications for 165 places, making it 6.3x oversubscribed. Of these, 415 were first-preference applications.
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 10 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), Moderate Learning Difficulty, Severe Learning Difficulty and 7 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at St Mary Magdalene Academy include Science Labs, Swimming Pool, Playing Fields, Tennis Courts, Gymnasium, Astro Turf, Sports Hall, Music Rooms, Sixth Form Centre, Art Studios, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Swimming, Netball, Cricket, Gymnastics and 2 more, as well as clubs including Science Club, Coding, Film Club, Chess and 1 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 36.3%, which is well above the national average for secondary schools in England.
For families exploring secondary schools in Islington, St Mary Magdalene Academy is one of the options available in the London region. Use Classpot to compare it side-by-side with nearby alternatives and find the best fit for your child.
Key Details
| School Type | Secondary (State) |
| Age Range | 4 to 19 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Church of England |
| Address | Liverpool Road, London, Islington, N7 8PG |
| Headteacher | John Reardon |
| Local Authority | Islington |
| Number of Pupils | 1,554 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 36.3% |
| School Capacity | 1,554 / 1,360 (114% full) |
| Sixth Form | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
3 Jul 2023Overall Effectiveness
Outstanding
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 18 Sept 2023. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (+0.30)
835th of 3,141
Nationally
242nd of 487
In London
4th of 9
In Islington
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.
A-Level Results
2023/24Average Points per Entry
Value Added Score
Best 3 A-Levels (Average)
'21/22
39.1
'22/23
36.8
'23/24
40.0
Source: Department for Education 16-18 Performance Tables, 2023/24. Value Added measures progress compared to students with similar GCSE results.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
11Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
11Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed165
1,046
Extremely High Demand
Very competitive - significantly more applications than places
415 families put this school as their 1st choice (40% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About St Mary Magdalene 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
Liverpool Road, London
Islington, N7 8PG
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
Parent Reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to share your experience at St Mary Magdalene Academy!
Write a Review