Regent High School Review 2026: Creative Arts Specialism in Central London

Regent High School serves 1,100 pupils aged 11 to 18 from its Chalton Street site in Camden Town, just north of central London. Formerly South Camden Community School until 2012, the school occupies a £25 million purpose-built campus incorporating a state-of-the-art theatre that reflects its Creative Learning specialism. The mixed comprehensive operates Somers Town Community Sports Centre and maintains partnerships with University College London, the Francis Crick Institute, Rothschild, and Sainsbury's as part of Camden's Knowledge Quarter. Ofsted rated the school Good in February 2023, praising leadership's "vision, drive and determination" in establishing a culture of high expectations. Recent recognition includes Artsmark, Rights Respecting Schools Silver, the International School Award, Stonewall School Champion status, and the STARS Gold Kitemark.

Most recent GCSE results show an Attainment 8 score of 44.5, placing Regent at rank 1,941 nationally within the national typical performance range, with 18.1% of pupils achieving grade 5 or above in the EBacc. The sixth form offers AS/A Levels and BTEC National courses; A-level outcomes produced A*-B grades for 38.2% of entries, below the national average of 47.2%. The school ranked 1,880th nationally for A-level performance and 14th locally in Camden. Mr Gary Moore serves as headteacher, leading a school that combines an urban location with access to central London's cultural and educational institutions.

Regent High School's mission centres on providing an "inspiring, structured and supportive learning environment" where students are challenged to realise their full potential. The school's distinctive EAGER framework is embedded across the curriculum, promoting students as active learners engaged in every lesson. This approach reflects an ethos of ambition balanced with comprehensive pastoral care in a diverse inner-city setting.

The school's roots extend to 1951 as Sir William Collins Secondary School, before becoming South Camden Community School in 1993 and adopting its current name in 2012. That rebrand coincided with investment in a new building designed to regenerate the north end of Chalton Street and reflect the school's Creative Arts heritage. The modern campus includes specialist facilities, notably the theatre that serves as a focal point for the creative learning specialism.

Ofsted inspectors in February 2023 found that pupils feel safe and noted improvements in behaviour under the current leadership. The school has embedded high expectations alongside inclusive values, holding Rights Respecting Schools Silver status and Stonewall School Champion accreditation. As a genuinely mixed-intake comprehensive, Regent draws from Somers Town and neighbouring Camden wards, reflecting the social and ethnic diversity of one of London's most dynamic boroughs. The atmosphere is purposefully urban, with the advantages of central London partnerships and cultural access shaping the school day.

GCSE Performance

Regent High School's most recent GCSE outcomes place the school in line with national averages. The Attainment 8 score of 44.5 sits marginally below the national figure, while the average EBacc APS of 4.13 is fractionally above the England average of 4.08. Progress 8, at -0.27, indicates pupils made slightly less progress than expected given their prior attainment, though the school's context as a comprehensive serving diverse inner-city catchments must be considered. Just over 18% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English, maths, and three EBacc subjects, reflecting the challenge many inner-London schools face in steering pupils toward the full EBacc suite. Nationally, Regent ranked 1,941st and 13th within Camden.

Sixth Form Performance

Regent Sixth Form offers a curriculum of AS/A Levels and BTEC National qualifications, with collaboration across Camden post-16 providers extending subject choice. The latest A-level results show that 38.2% of entries achieved A*-B grades, below the national average of 47.2%. Only 1.3% of entries attained A*, and 11.5% achieved A grades, pointing to limited proportions at the highest attainment bands. The sixth form ranked 1,880th in England and 14th locally. Recent leavers have secured places at institutions including University College London, King's College London, the University of Warwick, the University of Birmingham, Exeter University, and Westminster University, with notable successes in subjects such as English literature, maths, physics, politics, psychology, and business.

Teaching and Curriculum

The Creative Learning specialism infuses the curriculum with opportunities in the arts, drama, music, and design. More than 25 students have performed at the Royal Albert Hall as part of Camden Music Festival, and the school co-organises the Go! Camden Schools Dance Festival. Partnerships with UCL, the Francis Crick Institute, and local employers provide enrichment, work experience, and STEM initiatives. Peripatetic music tuition and an extended arts programme support pupils with creative interests, while the EAGER framework aims to develop independent learning habits across subjects. Ofsted noted that teaching has improved under current leadership, with high expectations set for behaviour and attainment.

Special Educational Needs

Detailed SEN provision information was not published in accessible sources, though the school's Rights Respecting Schools status and inclusive ethos indicate a commitment to supporting pupils with additional needs within a mainstream comprehensive setting.

Regent High School's £25 million building provides modern specialist spaces, including the theatre central to the creative arts programme, science laboratories supporting STEM partnerships, and facilities shared with Somers Town Community Sports Centre for PE and extracurricular sport. Off-site sporting activities extend provision beyond the campus, while the new building incorporates design features that promote effective learning and social spaces.

Extracurricular life includes breakfast club, after-school clubs spanning sports, arts, and academic enrichment, and peripatetic music tuition. The school's partnerships with University College London and the Francis Crick Institute enable pupils to access higher education taster sessions, laboratory visits, and mentoring. The location in central London, within walking distance of King's Cross, the British Library, and the Knowledge Quarter, offers unique advantages for curriculum enhancement and careers education. Artsmark accreditation and the International School Award reflect sustained investment in creative and global learning opportunities.

Regent High School admits 147 pupils to Year 7 each September. Admissions are coordinated by Camden Council and follow community school oversubscription criteria, which typically prioritise looked-after children, pupils with exceptional medical or social need, siblings, and distance from home to school. The school does not select by ability or aptitude.

The most recent admissions round saw 310 applications for 147 places, yielding a subscription ratio of 2.11:1, indicating oversubscription. Every first-preference applicant who was offered a place received one, reflecting Camden's coordinated admissions system. Specific distance data for the furthest pupil offered a place was not available, though as a popular central Camden school, Regent typically draws from Somers Town, King's Cross, Euston, and neighbouring wards. Families should consult Camden's annual admissions guide for up-to-date distance and criteria information.

Applications for Year 7 places open on 1 September each year, with a deadline of 31 October for entry the following September. Open mornings are held in September and October, providing an opportunity to tour the campus and meet staff. Late applications are accepted, though on-time applications receive priority. In-year admissions for other year groups are managed by the school; families should contact Reception at enquiries@regenthighschool.org.uk or telephone 020 7387 0126. Sixth Form applications are welcomed directly by the school, and information sessions are typically held in the autumn term.

Appeals against Year 7 admission decisions are managed by Camden Council, with details available on the local authority website. Given the level of competition and the lack of defined catchment boundaries, families living within one mile should consider Regent realistic, though proximity to the school remains decisive in most years.

Regent High School offers a mixed comprehensive education rooted in creative learning and supported by exceptional central London partnerships. The school's strengths lie in its inclusive ethos, modern facilities, and access to cultural and academic institutions such as UCL and the Francis Crick Institute. Ofsted's Good rating in 2023 reflects improvements in leadership, behaviour, and a culture of high expectations under Mr Moore's headship. For families prioritising the arts, the state-of-the-art theatre, Artsmark accreditation, and opportunities to perform at venues like the Royal Albert Hall provide genuine creative enrichment rarely matched in the state sector.

Academic outcomes, however, sit in line with or slightly below national averages. GCSE results place Regent in the national typical performance range, and sixth form A-level attainment lags behind national figures, with limited proportions achieving the highest grades. The Progress 8 measure of -0.27 suggests that, on average, pupils make marginally less progress than expected, though this must be understood in the context of an inner-city comprehensive serving diverse and disadvantaged catchments. Sixth form destinations include Russell Group universities, demonstrating that motivated pupils can reach strong outcomes, but the overall attainment profile indicates inconsistency.

The school's location in central London is both an asset and a challenge. Proximity to world-class cultural and educational resources enhances the curriculum, yet the urban environment and the pressures of inner-city schooling require robust pastoral and behaviour systems. Ofsted's observation that pupils feel safe and that behaviour has improved under current leadership is encouraging, though the relatively modest academic outcomes suggest the school is still working to translate high expectations into consistently strong exam performance.

Regent High School will appeal most to families seeking a creative arts specialism in a diverse, urban comprehensive with strong community links and access to London's Knowledge Quarter. Parents valuing inclusive values, modern facilities, and opportunities for extracurricular enrichment will find much to commend. Those prioritising top-tier academic outcomes, particularly at A-level, may wish to compare results with other Camden secondaries. The school is oversubscribed, so proximity to Chalton Street remains essential for securing a place. Overall, Regent represents a solid choice for families confident in supporting their child's learning at home and attracted to a creative, comprehensive education in the heart of London.

Is Regent High School a good school?

Ofsted rated Regent High School Good in its most recent inspection in February 2023, praising leadership's "vision, drive and determination" and noting improvements in behaviour and high expectations. GCSE results place the school in line with national averages, with an Attainment 8 score of 44.5 and rank of 1,941st nationally. Sixth form A-level outcomes, with 38.2% of entries achieving A*-B grades, fall below the national average of 47.2%. The school's Creative Learning specialism, modern facilities, and partnerships with institutions such as UCL and the Francis Crick Institute are strengths, while academic outcomes remain in the national typical range.

How do I apply to Regent High School?

Applications for Year 7 entry are made through Camden Council's coordinated admissions process. The application window opens on 1 September each year, with a deadline of 31 October for the following September's entry. Families should complete the Camden Common Application Form online at www.camden.gov.uk/admissions, listing Regent High School as one of their preferences. Open mornings are held in September and October; check the school website for dates. Offers are made on National Offer Day in March. For in-year admissions to other year groups, contact the school directly at enquiries@regenthighschool.org.uk or 020 7387 0126. Sixth Form applications are managed by the school; information sessions are typically held in the autumn term.

What are Regent High School's GCSE results?

The most recent GCSE results show an Attainment 8 score of 44.5, marginally below the national average, with 18.1% of pupils achieving grade 5 or above in English, maths, and three EBacc subjects. The average EBacc APS of 4.13 is fractionally above the national average of 4.08. Progress 8 was -0.27, indicating pupils made slightly less progress than expected given their starting points. Nationally, Regent ranked 1,941st, placing it in the national typical performance range, and 13th within Camden.

Does Regent High School have a sixth form?

Yes, Regent High School has a sixth form offering AS/A Levels and BTEC National qualifications. The curriculum is extended through collaboration with other Camden post-16 providers. Recent A-level results produced A*-B grades for 38.2% of entries, below the national average of 47.2%, with the sixth form ranking 1,880th nationally and 14th in Camden. Leavers have secured places at institutions including UCL, King's College London, the University of Warwick, the University of Birmingham, Exeter University, and Westminster University. The sixth form offers a mentoring programme, UCAS application support, and careers advice.

What is the catchment area for Regent High School?

Regent High School does not operate a defined catchment area. Admissions follow Camden Council's community school oversubscription criteria, which prioritise looked-after children, exceptional medical or social need, siblings, and then distance from home to school. In the most recent admissions round, the school received 310 applications for 147 places, with a subscription ratio of 2.11:1. Distance data for the furthest pupil offered a place was not published, but the school typically draws from Somers Town, King's Cross, Euston, and neighbouring Camden wards. Families living within one mile should consider Regent realistic, though proximity remains decisive. Consult Camden's annual admissions guide for the latest distance and criteria information.

What extracurricular activities does Regent High School offer?

Regent High School's extracurricular programme reflects its Creative Learning specialism and includes breakfast club, after-school sports, arts, and academic clubs, and peripatetic music tuition. More than 25 students have performed at the Royal Albert Hall as part of Camden Music Festival, and the school co-organises the Go! Camden Schools Dance Festival. Partnerships with University College London, the Francis Crick Institute, Rothschild, and Sainsbury's provide enrichment, STEM initiatives, and work experience. The school holds Artsmark accreditation, the International School Award, and the STARS Gold Kitemark, indicating sustained investment in creative, global, and active travel opportunities. Off-site sporting activities extend PE provision beyond the campus.