The Norwood School
119%
Capacity
1,069
Pupils
5.1x
Demand
About The Norwood School
The Norwood School is a popular choice among local families, and the numbers back that up. For the 2025/26 admissions cycle, the school received 852 applications for just 166 places, giving it an oversubscription ratio of 5.13. Of those applicants, 232 put the school as their first preference, and 122 of those families received an offer. That level of demand suggests a strong reputation among parents in Lambeth, though it’s worth noting that the school does not publish a parent-view survey score, so we can’t put a percentage on satisfaction. The school is a mixed, non-faith secondary for ages 11 to 19, and it currently has 1,069 pupils on roll, which is above its official capacity of 900. That oversubscription is a practical signal: if you’re considering Norwood, you’ll want to make sure your application is as strong as possible, particularly if it’s your first choice.
Academically, Norwood sits in the middle of the pack. Its Progress 8 score for the 2023/24 academic year was 0.03, which is rated as Average and places it 7th out of 15 secondary schools in Lambeth. That’s just below the local authority average of 0.07, but the school’s Attainment 8 score of 48.5 is solid, and 68.2% of pupils achieved a grade 4 or above in English and maths. The picture is more mixed when you look at individual subjects: Progress 8 in English was a strong +0.28, but maths was -0.23, and the EBacc entry rate was 29.4%, with 21.2% of pupils achieving the EBacc at grade 4 or above. In the sixth form, the school’s value-added score was 0.16, also rated Average, with students averaging a C+ grade per entry and a best three A-level grade of B-. Ofsted visited in February 2023 and rated the school Good across the board, including behaviour, personal development, and sixth-form provision.
The school is well equipped, with facilities that include a swimming pool, theatre, astro turf, sports hall, and a dedicated sixth form centre. There’s a broad range of clubs and activities on offer, from the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and Model United Nations to choir, gardening, and chess. For families with children who have additional needs, Norwood lists provisions for a wide range of SEND categories, including autistic spectrum disorder, speech and language communication needs, and physical disabilities. The school is oversubscribed and selective in practice, so it will suit families who are confident their child will thrive in a large, busy secondary environment. If you’re comparing it with the nearest Outstanding-rated school, Bishop Thomas Grant Catholic Secondary School, which is 1.3 km away, Norwood offers a non-faith option with a similarly strong local reputation but a slightly lower Progress 8 score.
Key Details
| School Type | Secondary (State) |
| Age Range | 11 to 19 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Does not apply |
| Address | Crown Dale, London, Lambeth, SE19 3NY |
| Headteacher | Niki Clemenger Richard Cole |
| Local Authority | Lambeth |
| Number of Pupils | 1,069 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 30.0% |
| School Capacity | 1,069 / 900 (119% full) |
| Sixth Form | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
22 Feb 2023Overall Effectiveness
Good
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 27 Apr 2023. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (+0.03)
1454th of 3,141
Nationally
350th of 487
In London
7th of 15
In Lambeth
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
36.0
'22/23
35.2
'23/24
34.8
Source: Department for Education 16-18 Performance Tables, 2023/24. Value Added measures progress compared to students with similar GCSE results.
Where GCSE leavers go
2022/2365%
of GCSE leavers stay on for sixth form at this school (cohort: 149 pupils).
- School sixth form (stay)65%
- FE college23%
- Sixth form college5%
- Not sustained4%
- Apprenticeship1%
- Employment1%
95% of leavers had a sustained destination 6 months on.
Source: DfE Compare School & College Performance, KS4 pupil destinations 2022/23 (revised). Only state-funded schools are required to report.
Where school leavers go
2022/2367%
of A-level / Level 3 leavers go to higher education (cohort: 81 pupils).
Top-tier university progression
13%
Russell Group
17%
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)67%
- Employment16%
- Further education7%
- Not sustained7%
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.
Sixth form A-level subjects
2022/23- English Literature20
- History18
- Sociology13
- Government and Politics9
- Geography7
- Art and Design (Photography)6
- Art and Design (Textiles)6
- Biology6
- Chemistry5
- Film Studies5
- Mathematics5
- Art and Design (Graphics)4
Subjects with at least 3 entries in 2022/23. Number shown next to each subject is the number of pupils who sat that A-level exam — a rough indicator of subject popularity at this school. Source: DfE Compare School & College Performance.
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
16Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed166
852
Extremely High Demand
Very competitive - significantly more applications than places
232 families put this school as their 1st choice (27% 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 75% 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.
Among the highest 25% — a diverse linguistic intake.
Ethnic background
- White British31.3%
- Mixed18.1%
- White (other)17.3%
- Asian3.7%
- Black3.4%
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.
Better than 75% of schools in England.
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.
20
Total schools
18
Oversubscribed
15
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 The Norwood 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
Crown Dale, London
Lambeth, SE19 3NY
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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