London Academy Review 2026: Outstanding Progress in an Iconic Setting

Visible from the M1 and housed in a striking glass-and-steel structure designed by Foster + Partners, London Academy is a landmark in more ways than one. This all-through school in Edgware serves a diverse community with a clear mission: to accelerate progress regardless of starting points. While the architecture suggests a corporate headquarters, the atmosphere inside is distinctly educational, driven by the motto Leaders for Tomorrow.

The school spans the full age range from 4 to 19, offering a seamless educational journey for local families. Its most defining characteristic is its ability to add value; students here consistently achieve grades significantly higher than their prior attainment would predict, particularly at GCSE. With nearly 2,000 learners on site, it is a large, bustling environment that operates with the logistical precision of a small city.

The Norman Foster design dominates the character of the school. The central atrium, flooded with natural light, serves as the heart of the building, creating a sense of transparency and openness. Classrooms with glass walls branch off this central spine, reinforcing a culture where learning is visible and nothing is hidden. While some might find the scale of the building imposing, the school works hard to break this down through a college system that creates smaller communities within the whole.

Mr Alex Warburton, the Principal, leads with a focus on high expectations and rigorous routines. The culture is purposeful and disciplined. Uniform standards are strictly enforced, and movement around the building is managed carefully to maintain calm in such a large institution. The school ethos leans heavily on the "Academy" style of education: strict behavioural codes, a focus on core academic skills, and a belief that structure liberates students to learn.

Students come from a wide range of backgrounds, and the school celebrates this diversity as a strength. There is a palpable energy in the corridors, but it is channeled effectively into learning. The Leaders for Tomorrow motto is not just branding; it permeates the student leadership structures, with students taking active roles as ambassadors and peer mentors.

London Academy presents a fascinating profile of academic performance, characterised by exceptional progress in the secondary phase and strong attainment in the primary phase.

Primary Phase

The primary phase is a significant strength. In 2024, 86% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing, and mathematics, substantially outperforming the England average of 62%. This high performance is consistent across subjects, with 91% reaching the expected standard in mathematics and 95% in science.

Ranked 3,300th in England for primary outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), the school sits in the top 25% of schools in England. Locally, it ranks 45th among Barnet primaries, reflecting the high caliber of schools in the borough.

Secondary Phase (GCSE)

The secondary engine is driven by value-added performance. The Progress 8 score of +0.74 is the headline figure here. This indicates that, on average, students achieve nearly three-quarters of a grade higher in every subject than students of similar ability nationally.

Ranked 1,201st in England and 21st in Barnet for GCSEs, the school performs well above the national median. While raw attainment is solid, with an Attainment 8 score of 50.0 compared to the England average of 45.9, it is the progress measure that truly stands out. Approximately 25% of students achieved the English Baccalaureate at grade 5 or above.

Sixth Form (A-Level)

Performance at Sixth Form is more mixed compared to the lower years. The A-level provision ranks 2,065th in England and 24th in Barnet. In 2024, 32.7% of grades were A*-B, which is below the England average of 47.2%. However, the Ofsted inspection in July 2023 rated the Sixth Form provision as Outstanding, highlighting the exceptional support and guidance students receive, even if raw top grades remain a growth area.

The curriculum is designed to be broad but has a strong core of academic subjects. In the primary phase, the approach is structured and systematic, with a heavy emphasis on literacy and numeracy that pays dividends in the Key Stage 2 results. Specialist teaching is introduced early, utilizing the facilities of the secondary site to offer science and sport opportunities that standalone primaries cannot match.

In the secondary phase, teaching is characterized by consistency. Lessons follow a clear structure, often beginning with retrieval practice to consolidate prior learning. Teachers use data extensively to track student progress and intervene quickly when gaps appear. This data-driven approach is a key factor in the school's high Progress 8 score.

The specialism in Business and Enterprise, while less explicit than in the academy's early years, still influences the curriculum delivery. There is a focus on financial literacy and employability skills woven into the PSHE programme.

Despite the challenging A-level metrics, the school successfully guides a majority of students into higher education. In 2024, 70% of leavers progressed to university, a healthy figure that speaks to the aspirations instilled in the student body.

The academic ambition is evident in the elite pathways. In the most recent cycle, 15 students applied to Oxbridge, with one securing a place at Cambridge. While the acceptance rate of 6.7% for Oxbridge applications highlights the competitive nature of these courses, the fact that 15 students felt confident to apply demonstrates a culture of aspiration.

For students not pursuing university, the school provides support for alternative routes, with 8% entering employment directly and 2% moving into further education colleges.

Admission to London Academy is coordinated by the London Borough of Barnet. The school is consistently oversubscribed, reflecting its popularity and the demographic pressure in Edgware.

Primary Entry (Reception)

In 2024, there were 67 applications for the available places, resulting in a ratio of 2.2 applications per offer. This makes entry competitive. The school gives priority to looked-after children and siblings, with remaining places allocated by distance.

Secondary Entry (Year 7)

The secondary phase is even more competitive. In 2024, the school received 541 applications for 230 offers, a subscription proportion of 2.35. The last distance offered was 2.51 miles. Distances vary annually based on applicant distribution; proximity provides priority but does not guarantee a place.

Families should note that London Academy is an all-through school, meaning children in the primary phase automatically transfer to the secondary phase, reducing the number of Year 7 places available to external applicants.

With nearly 2,000 students, pastoral care is structured to ensure no individual is lost in the crowd. The school operates a system of Colleges, which breaks the large student body down into manageable vertical groups. This fosters a sense of belonging and allows for competition in sports and academic challenges.

The "vertical tutoring" system in secondary years means tutor groups include students from different year groups. This encourages peer mentoring, with older students taking responsibility for guiding younger ones. Safeguarding is robust, with a dedicated team ensuring that the wellbeing of vulnerable students is monitored closely.

The extracurricular offer is extensive, leveraging the purpose-built facilities.

Sport

Sport is a major pillar of school life. The facilities include a large sports hall, dance studio, and extensive outdoor pitches. The school fields teams in football, basketball, and athletics, competing regularly in Barnet and Middlesex leagues.

Creative Arts & STEM

The dramatic atrium space is used for exhibitions and performances. The music department runs several ensembles, including a choir and a jazz band. In STEM, the school runs a popular Robotics Club and enters teams in national mathematics challenges. The Debate Mate club is particularly strong, helping students develop the oracy skills central to the school's leadership ethos.

This is a state-funded academy, meaning there are no tuition fees for students in Reception through to Year 13.

Families are responsible for the cost of uniforms, trips, and school lunches, though Free School Meals are available for eligible families. The school uses Pupil Premium funding to support disadvantaged students with these additional costs, ensuring full access to the curriculum and enrichment activities.

The school is located on Spur Road in Edgware, easily accessible via local bus routes and close to the M1.

School Hours

The school day typically runs from 8:40am to 3:10pm, though this varies slightly by phase and day.

Wraparound Care

For primary pupils, the school offers breakfast club provision. Families should contact the school office for current availability and costs.

Transport

Several bus routes (107, 113, 142) stop immediately outside or near the school. Stanmore (Jubilee Line) and Edgware (Northern Line) are the nearest tube stations, though both require a bus connection to reach the site.

Scale of the environment. This is a very large school in a large, open-plan building. Students who thrive on buzz and energy do well here; those who need a quiet, small-scale environment may find the acoustics and size overwhelming.

Sixth Form attainment. While progress at GCSE is outstanding, the A-level results are statistically lower, sitting in the "national lower" band. Families of highly academic students should verify the support available for top grades at A-level.

All-through dynamics. The guarantee of a secondary place for primary pupils is a huge benefit for those in the lower school, but it squeezes the entry points for Year 7. Local families relying on secondary entry need to be aware of the competition for remaining places.

London Academy is a machine for progress, taking students from diverse starting points and accelerating their academic trajectory with impressive efficiency. The primary phase is a hidden gem of high attainment, while the secondary phase adds significant value at GCSE. It is best suited to students who will respond well to a structured, high-energy environment and families who value the convenience and continuity of an all-through education. The main challenge is securing a place in Year 7 if you are not already in the primary phase.