Sydenham School
95%
Capacity
1,507
Pupils
3.0x
Demand
About Sydenham School
Sydenham School’s headline Progress 8 score of 0.1 sits just a hair below the Lewisham local authority average of 0.11, placing it squarely in the middle of the pack among the borough’s 15 state secondary schools. That’s a solid, unflashy result — the school ranks 8th in Lewisham, meaning roughly half its peers are ahead and half behind. What’s more revealing is the breakdown: pupils make strong progress in English (0.46) but significantly weaker progress in maths (-0.35), a gap that suggests the school’s strengths are uneven. The Attainment 8 score of 49.7 is respectable, and 66.7% of pupils achieve a grade 4 or above in English and maths, though that drops to 48.1% at the stronger grade 5 threshold. The school is heavily oversubscribed — 684 applications for 231 places in 2025/26, with 228 first-preference applications — so local families clearly see something they like, even if the headline metrics don’t scream top of the table.
At Key Stage 5, the sixth form performs broadly in line with expectations, with a value-added score of 0.13 and a points-per-entry average of 36.87, equivalent to a B- grade. The best three A-levels average out at B- as well, and 15.8% of students achieve at least AAB. The sixth form is rated as having ‘Average’ progress, which matches the overall picture of a school that reliably delivers solid outcomes without exceptional highs. Ofsted last graded the school Good overall in 2022, with leadership and management judged Outstanding — a detail that hints at strong direction from headteacher Emma Wijnberg. The previous graded inspection in 2013 also rated the school Good, and the 2022 ungraded inspection confirmed it ‘remains Good’. For parents weighing up options, Sydenham offers dependable, middle-of-the-road academic performance with a clear edge in English, but maths is an area to watch.
The school is well-resourced, with a theatre, swimming pool, astro turf, sports hall, science labs, and a dedicated sixth form centre — all housed within a girls-only environment for ages 11 to 18. Sports include rowing, gymnastics, and rugby, while clubs range from coding and Model UN to the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and an eco club. SEND provision is broad, covering dyslexia, autism, speech and language needs, and physical disabilities, among others. With 26.6% of pupils eligible for free school meals, the school serves a diverse intake. Oversubscription is high — 2.96 applicants per place — so admission is competitive, and the school is a strong fit for families who want a large, well-led girls’ school with decent results, good facilities, and a sixth form that keeps pupils progressing at an average rate. It’s not the standout performer in Lewisham, but it’s a reliable, popular choice.
Key Details
| School Type | Secondary (State) |
| Age Range | 11 to 18 years |
| Gender | Girls |
| Religious Character | Does not apply |
| Address | Dartmouth Road, London, Lewisham, SE26 4RD |
| Headteacher | Emma Wijnberg |
| Local Authority | Lewisham |
| Number of Pupils | 1,507 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 26.6% |
| School Capacity | 1,507 / 1,580 (95% full) |
| Sixth Form | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
22 Jun 2022Overall Effectiveness
Good
Latest inspection (22 Jun 2022): School remains Good
Source: Ofsted, 13 May 2013. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (+0.10)
1297th of 3,141
Nationally
327th of 487
In London
8th of 15
In Lewisham
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE Progress 8 data
GCSE Results
2023/24Progress 8 Score
Students make similar progress to students nationally with the same starting point
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
39.2
'22/23
37.6
'23/24
36.9
Source: Department for Education 16-18 Performance Tables, 2023/24. Value Added measures progress compared to students with similar GCSE results.
Where school leavers go
2022/2352%
of A-level / Level 3 leavers go to higher education (cohort: 138 pupils).
Top-tier university progression
31%
Russell Group
31%
Top-third HE
2%
Oxford / Cambridge
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)52%
- Employment20%
- Not sustained11%
- Further education6%
- Other education1%
- Apprenticeship1%
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.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
10Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
19Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed231
684
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
228 families put this school as their 1st choice (33% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Class profile
2024/25Better than 75% of schools in England.
Better than half 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
2024/25Above the national average (25%) — higher-disadvantage intake.
Above the national median (10%) — a meaningful share speak English as an additional language.
Ethnic background
- White British36.0%
- Mixed17.7%
- White (other)8.5%
- Asian5.4%
- Black2.5%
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.
17
Total schools
16
Oversubscribed
13
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 Sydenham 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
Understanding School Catchment Areas
How admission distances work and tips for maximising your choices
Contact Information
Dartmouth Road, London
Lewisham, SE26 4RD
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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