Woolwich Polytechnic School for Girls
99%
Capacity
1,183
Pupils
1.8x
Demand
About Woolwich Polytechnic School for Girls
Woolwich Polytechnic School for Girls posts a Progress 8 score of 0.4, which is well above the Greenwich local authority average of 0.1 for secondary schools. That gap of 0.3 is significant — it means pupils here make notably more academic progress from Key Stage 2 to GCSE than their peers across the borough. The school ranks 3rd out of 15 schools in Greenwich on this measure, placing it in the top 25% nationally. Given that over 38% of its 1,183 pupils are eligible for free school meals, this is a strong result. The school is also oversubscribed: for 172 Year 7 places in 2025/26, it received 308 applications, with 131 first-preference offers. That level of demand suggests local families see the value in what's on offer.
Digging into the exam data, the school's Attainment 8 score sits at 52.6, and 79.2% of pupils achieved a grade 4 or above in English and maths (the basics 9-4 measure). The English Progress 8 score is particularly striking at 0.8 — well above average — while maths progress is more modest at 0.15. The EBacc average point score is 4.55, and 22.9% of pupils entered the EBacc combination of subjects. The school's most recent Ofsted inspection in January 2023 rated it Good across all categories: quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management. There is no sixth form here — the school runs from age 11 to 16 — so pupils will need to move on for post-16 study.
Facilities include a library, science labs, music rooms, a theatre, and tennis courts, with a wide range of sports on offer including rowing, gymnastics, and martial arts. Clubs cover debate, chess, the Duke of Edinburgh's Award, and eco activities. The school has a broad SEND offer, with provisions for autistic spectrum disorder, dyslexia, speech and language needs, and social, emotional and mental health support. For families in Greenwich looking for a girls' school that delivers strong academic progress — especially in English — and is clearly popular locally, this is a solid option. The oversubscription ratio of 1.79 per place means it's worth getting your application in early.
Key Details
| School Type | Secondary (State) |
| Age Range | 11 to 16 years |
| Gender | Girls |
| Religious Character | None |
| Address | 1 Birchdene Drive, Thamesmead, Greenwich, SE28 8RF |
| Headteacher | Lizaan Williams |
| Local Authority | Greenwich |
| Number of Pupils | 1,183 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 38.4% |
| School Capacity | 1,183 / 1,200 (99% full) |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
10 Jan 2023Overall Effectiveness
Good
Source: Ofsted, 8 Mar 2023. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (+0.40)
654th of 3,141
Nationally
203rd of 487
In London
3rd of 15
In Greenwich
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE Progress 8 data
GCSE Results
2023/24Progress 8 Score
Students make 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.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
7Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
14Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed172
308
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
131 families put this school as their 1st choice (43% 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 British14.2%
- Asian12.4%
- Mixed10.2%
- Black7.3%
- White (other)6.0%
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.
15
Total schools
14
Oversubscribed
12
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 Woolwich Polytechnic School for Girls
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
1 Birchdene Drive, Thamesmead
Greenwich, SE28 8RF
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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