The Charter School East Dulwich

About The Charter School East Dulwich

The Charter School East Dulwich is a large, mixed secondary in Southwark, currently home to 1,344 pupils against a capacity of 1,680, meaning it is not yet full but clearly in high demand. For the 2025/26 intake, the school received 908 applications for 231 places, an oversubscription ratio of 3.93, with 194 of those applications coming as first preferences and 135 offers made to first-preference families. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals stands at 27.2%, which is significantly above the national average and reflects the school’s inclusive, comprehensive intake in a diverse London borough. The school has no religious character and is led by headteacher Alison Harbottle, who took over a school rated Good in its most recent graded inspection in 2018 and confirmed as remaining Good in an ungraded inspection in May 2024, where inspectors noted it was improving.

Academically, the school’s Progress 8 score of 0.19 is positive, meaning pupils on average achieve nearly a fifth of a grade more per subject than similar pupils nationally, though this sits below the Southwark local authority average of 0.46. Within the borough, the school ranks 15th out of 19 secondary schools on this measure, placing it in the bottom third locally. Attainment 8 sits at 51.7, and 71.8% of pupils achieved a grade 4 or above in English and maths, with 54.1% reaching grade 5 or above. The EBacc entry rate is high at 72.9%, with 41.4% achieving the EBacc at grade 4 or above. In the sixth form, 113 pupils achieved an average points per entry of 35.99, equivalent to a B- grade, and the value-added score of -0.01 is neutral, with the best three A-levels averaging B-.

The school offers a broad range of facilities including a theatre, sports hall, astro turf, music rooms, and a dedicated sixth form centre, alongside clubs such as debate, coding, and Model UN. Sports provision includes rowing, martial arts, and rugby. SEND support covers a wide spectrum, including autistic spectrum disorder, speech and language needs, and specific learning difficulties like dyslexia. The school is oversubscribed, so families applying should be aware that only 135 of 194 first-preference applicants received offers for 2025/26. This is a school that suits families looking for a large, inclusive, non-selective secondary with a strong EBacc focus and improving Ofsted trajectory, though those prioritising the highest local Progress 8 scores may want to consider nearby options like The Charter School North Dulwich, rated Outstanding and just 0.6 km away.

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