St Matthew Academy
65%
Capacity
1,065
Pupils
3.0x
Demand
About St Matthew Academy
St Matthew Academy is a state-funded Roman Catholic secondary school serving the Lewisham community, welcoming children from age 4 to 16. The school has 1,065 pupils on roll, operating at 65% capacity.
the school is led by headteacher James Potter, it falls under Lewisham local authority.
In terms of academic performance, its Progress 8 score of +0.57 is well above the national average. Additionally, Attainment 8 is solid at 50.1. Additionally, placing it in the top 25% nationally. Additionally, ranked 407th out of 3,141 schools in England. Additionally, 2nd out of 15 in Lewisham.
St Matthew Academy is a popular choice with families — it received 479 applications for 157 places, making it 3.0x oversubscribed. Of these, 66 were first-preference applications.
St Matthew Academy parent feedback on Ofsted Parent View is very positive, with 94% recommending the school (187 responses).
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 9 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), Moderate Learning Difficulty, Severe Learning Difficulty and 6 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at St Matthew Academy include Swimming Pool, Dining Hall, Astro Turf, Sports Hall, Science Labs, Playing Fields, ICT Suite, Library, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Tennis, Swimming, Rounders, Rugby and 3 more, as well as clubs including Book Club, Debate, Young Enterprise, Coding and 5 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 35.0%, which is well above the national average for secondary schools in England.
For families exploring secondary schools in Lewisham, St Matthew 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 16 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Roman Catholic |
| Address | St Joseph's Vale, Blackheath, London, Lewisham, SE3 0XX |
| Headteacher | James Potter |
| Local Authority | Lewisham |
| Number of Pupils | 1,065 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 35.0% |
| School Capacity | 1,065 / 1,650 (65% full) |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
11 Mar 2025Quality of Education
Outstanding
Since Sep 2024, Ofsted no longer assigns a single overall grade
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 28 Apr 2025. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (+0.57)
407th of 3,141
Nationally
145th of 487
In London
2nd of 15
In Lewisham
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE Progress 8 data
GCSE Results
2023/24Progress 8 Score
Students make significantly 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.
Ofsted Parent View
187 responsesWould Recommend This School
Source: Ofsted Parent View (GOV.UK statistical data), Sep – Sep 2025
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
9Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
16Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed157
479
High Demand
Competitive - many more applications than places available
66 families put this school as their 1st choice (14% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About St Matthew 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
St Joseph's Vale, Blackheath, London
Lewisham, SE3 0XX
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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