Classpot

The Elms Academy

Lambeth, SW4 9ETSecondaryAges 11–18MixedState
Ofsted Rating
Good
May 2025
Progress 8
+0.91
Well above average
−20+2
Competition
1.0×
Not oversubscribed
126 1st-choice / 130 places
Ranking
🏆Top 5%
#118 of 3,141 nationally

About The Elms Academy

The Elms Academy sits in Lambeth, a London borough where it has carved out a distinctive position among state secondaries. Ranked first out of 15 schools of its type in the local authority, it sits ahead of Oasis Academy South Bank, Bishop Thomas Grant Catholic Secondary School and Woodmansterne School, the next three highest-ranked peers. Its Progress 8 score of 0.91 places it in the top five per cent of schools nationally and in the top 11 per cent across London. The school is Christian in character and led by headteacher Amy Welch. With 836 pupils against a capacity of 875, it is popular enough to be oversubscribed: for 2025/26 entry, it received 456 applications for 130 places, with 126 first-preference applications resulting in 91 offers. That works out at 3.51 applications per place, a clear sign of its standing among local families.

Key Details

School TypeSecondary (State)
Age Range11 to 18 years
GenderMixed
Religious CharacterChristian
AddressElms Road, London, Lambeth, SW4 9ET
HeadteacherAmy Welch
Local AuthorityLambeth
Number of Pupils836
Free School Meals (FSM)51.3%
School Capacity836 / 875 (96% full)
Sixth FormYes

The full report on this school

What 101 parents told Ofsted, the inspection in plain English, and how this school compares to nearby alternatives — all in one full school report.

  • Ofsted inspection in plain English
    Strengths, concerns and what inspectors flagged
  • Parent View survey results
    What parents told Ofsted — when the school has 10+ responses
  • Where Ofsted and parents disagree
    Gaps to probe + questions to ask at the open day
  • Admissions & catchment
    Admission criteria, distance cutoffs (where the LA publishes them)
  • Nearby schools compared
    Backup options with Ofsted, demand and distance
  • Attendance & behaviour data
    Persistent absentees, suspensions and exclusions vs national
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Ofsted Inspection Breakdown

8 May 2025
View Report
Overall Effectiveness
Good
Quality of Education
Good
Behaviour & Attitudes
Good
Personal Development
Good
Leadership & Management
Good
Sixth Form Provision
Good

Latest monitoring visit (8 May 2025): Improved significantly

Source: Ofsted, 8 Mar 2020. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.

Facilities

8
Science LabsSwimming PoolDining HallGymnasiumTennis CourtsICT SuiteChapelSixth Form Centre

Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.

Extracurriculars

17

Sports

RoundersFootballRugbyTennisCricketAthleticsBadminton

Clubs & Activities

Film ClubYoung EnterpriseArt ClubNewspaperScience ClubOrchestraDuke of EdinburghChoirModel United NationsDebate

Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.

SEND Support

AutismDyslexiaMental HealthSpeech & LanguageHearingVisionPhysicalLearning DifficultyOther

Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.

School day

Verified

Teaching hours

08:20 – 15:30

Breakfast club

07:30-08:00

Source: theelmsacademy.org.uk. Extracted automatically — confirm with the school before relying on these times.

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Elms Academy

The Elms Academy has been rated "Good" by Ofsted. This means the school provides a good standard of education and effectively supports all pupils to succeed.