Twyford Church of England High School Review 2026: An Outstanding Community with Deep Christian Roots

Named after the Twyford Brook that runs beneath the school's historic campus, this Church of England academy in Acton has been serving local families since 1981, when the London Diocesan Board for Schools acquired the premises from Ealing Council. At the heart of the grounds sits The Elms, a Grade II listed Baroque villa built in 1735 by architect Charles Morren, now the oldest surviving building in Acton. The school has grown substantially over four decades. Now home to over 1,600 students (638 in the sixth form), it remains significantly oversubscribed, drawing applicants from 71 primary schools across seven London boroughs. The October 2023 Ofsted inspection confirmed outstanding provision across all areas: quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and sixth-form provision. Academically, the school ranks 475th nationally for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), placing it well above England average, with a Progress 8 score of +1.08 — substantially ahead of the national average of 0.

Twyford is animated by what leaders describe as "life in all its fullness," the school's mission drawn from John 10:10. This isn't merely a slogan. The 10:10 ethic permeates daily life, shaping pastoral curriculum, behaviour expectations, and student experience. Inspectors noted that pupils are proud to attend, behave exceptionally well, and feel genuinely safe and happy.

The Christian foundation is evident but not isolating. 63% of the student body comes from non-white ethnic backgrounds, with the school genuinely reflective of the diverse urban area it serves. The school actively seeks applications from families of other world faiths (15% of places), creating a genuinely inclusive atmosphere within a distinctly Christian framework. Houses take their names from English cathedrals and abbeys — Canterbury, Durham, York, Wells, Truro, Ripon and Fountains — reinforcing Anglican heritage while building smaller‑community identity and belonging.

Phil Bennett took over as Executive Headteacher in September 2024, following Mark Bedford's departure. Bennett brings extensive experience from within Twyford itself, having served as Key Stage 4 Assistant Head and later Senior Deputy, overseeing pupil progress and pastoral care from 2009 onwards. His appointment signals continuity of the school's established direction.

Leadership is described by inspectors as "exceptionally well executed." Teachers feel supported in workload and wellbeing, receive purposeful training, and work in a culture where reflection and collaboration are expected at all levels. This commitment to staff quality translates directly into classroom experience. The six-form cohort numbers over 600 students, with retention from Year 11 to Year 12 running at approximately 80%—a remarkable figure indicating genuine engagement with sixth-form provision.

GCSE Results

At GCSE in 2024, 46% of entries achieved grades 9-7 (the highest grades), well above the England average of 54%. The attainment score of 63.5 substantially exceeds the England average of 45.9. 87% of students entered for the English Baccalaureate, demonstrating the school's commitment to a broad, knowledge-rich curriculum spanning sciences, humanities, languages, and arts.

The Progress 8 score of +1.08 is particularly significant. This measure tracks student progress from the end of primary school (Key Stage 2) to GCSE. A score of 0 represents average progress; Twyford's +1.08 indicates pupils make substantially above-average progress from their starting points, regardless of prior attainment. This reflects both the quality of teaching and the deliberate attention paid to closing gaps for students entering below age-related expectations.

Twyford ranks 475th in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the top 10% nationally and 6th within Ealing. This places the school well above England average (top 25%).

A-Level Results

In 2024, 79% of A-level grades achieved A*-B, with 17% at A* and 31% at A. This exceptional performance places Twyford in the top 10% of sixth forms nationally. The school ranks 239th in England for A-level outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), positioning it in the top 10% of schools in England

The October 2023 inspection specifically praised teaching as expertly delivered and well-planned across a meticulously sequenced curriculum. Inspectors highlighted deep subject knowledge among staff and consistent pedagogical approaches that help pupils build and recall key knowledge deeply. The inspection report noted that teachers "think hard about what they teach and when, breaking down topics, so that pupils understand important concepts before learning moves on."

Mathematics and English follow a trust-wide approach to content delivery, ensuring consistency across the four Twyford Trust schools. Setting begins in Year 7 for mathematics, science and languages, with additional subjects setting from Year 8. This allows for responsive, targeted teaching at each level.

The language curriculum is particularly well-developed. All pupils at Key Stage 3 study either French or Spanish, with the top 50% additionally studying Latin. In Year 8, more able linguists can add a second modern language (typically German). Students progress to GCSE with choices of French, German or Spanish, with many taking multiple languages. A dedicated enrichment programme includes exchange visits to France, Spain and Germany, cultural immersion trips to Normandy, Madrid, and the Black Forest, and year-round engagement with francophone and hispanophone contexts.

The school places deliberate emphasis on early reading. Pupils needing support receive timely intervention. Year 11 students have been trained as reading mentors, supporting younger pupils to become confident and fluent readers.

In the most recent cohort year (2024), 71% of sixth-form leavers progressed to university. Beyond Oxbridge, students regularly secure places at Russell Group institutions including Imperial College, UCL, Durham, Edinburgh and Bristol. The school's university preparation is rigorous: 12 students gained Oxbridge places in the most recent measurement period, with 4 securing Cambridge places and 8 Oxford places.

Medicine remains a popular and successful pathway, with 18 students securing medical school places in 2024. Engineering, law, and sciences dominate applications, reflecting both the academic strength of the cohort and the school's emphasis on facilitating subjects and rigorous science provision.

Students progressing outside the Russell Group typically pursue specialist institutions or vocational alternatives. The sixth form offers bespoke guidance on competitive university applications and links to external providers offering careers advice and support.

Music is a defining strength. The school specialises in music, and students benefit from dedicated curriculum time for singing and instrumental development. The music department is exceptional in scope and calibre.

Music: A Defining Strength

The Gospel Choir is renowned throughout London, having performed at the Royal Albert Hall and Royal Opera House. Beyond this flagship ensemble, the school maintains a full symphony orchestra, a large chamber choir spanning all year groups, a junior choir for younger students, and a parent-staff community choir. Student-led ensembles include a jazz band, swing band, urban collective and samba band. Smaller instrumental groups — string quartets, female vocal ensembles, and chamber combinations — rehearse weekly.

The school offers extensive instrumental tuition delivered by specialist peripatetic teachers, available to pupils from Year 7 onwards. Annual music competitions (both classical and popular genres) celebrate breadth of talent and provide performance opportunities.

Drama: Highly Professional and Accessible

Each February, the Music and Drama departments collaborate on an annual whole-school production. These events feature a full student cast, a 30+ piece orchestra, dedicated stage crew and technical team. Recent productions have been ambitious, revealing the school's investment in technical and performance training for students across ability levels.

Sport: Rowing and Beyond

Rugby, football, netball and hockey are the core sports, with competitive house and borough teams. The school has a strategic relationship with London Wasps, using their training grounds and providing schooling for Wasps Apprentices, contributing to what inspectors described as "one of the country's most formidable" rugby programmes. Additional opportunities include trampolining, table tennis, basketball, self-defence and gymnastics. Cricket and rugby flourish in the summer term. A large proportion of pupils participate in Duke of Edinburgh's Award, with achievements ranging from Bronze to Gold.

STEM and Technology

The school offers dedicated curriculum time for coding, design and technology. Leaders have developed a creative approach to design and technology that equips students with key employability skills, including coding, design principles and practical problem-solving. An Engineering Society brings together interested students, and the curriculum includes explicit coding and computational thinking across key stages.

Societies and Leadership

The school hosts a vibrant range of societies and clubs. The Debating Society competes in the annual Mace Debating Competition. Additional groups include chess club, art club, bee-keeping club, and the Twyford Christian Fellowship. Sixth-form students lead many clubs and take responsibility for mentoring younger pupils in lessons and at extracurricular activities. A strong student leadership team, drawn from Years 7-13 and led by the Sixth Form, energises the whole-school community and renews the school's traditions each year.

Admission is non-selective but heavily oversubscribed. In 2024, the school received 1,379 applications for 190 places (a ratio of 7.26 applications per place). This level of demand reflects both the school's academic reputation and its desirability within the diocese and wider west London community.

Admissions operate on a faith-based priority system, reflecting the school's Church of England status. Places are allocated first to looked-after children, then children with an EHCP naming the school. Following these, places favour students from families with demonstrated connection to the Church of England or other world faith communities (15% of places are specifically reserved for students of other faiths). Selection within these categories is by distance from the school gates.

In 2024, the last distance offered was 1.741 miles. Distances vary annually based on applicant distribution; proximity provides priority but does not guarantee a place. The school draws students from 71 different primary schools across seven London boroughs, creating a genuinely diverse and geographically dispersed cohort.

Students beginning Year 7 come from a wide range of primary schools across west London and beyond. The school works with primary colleagues to support smooth transition.

The school day runs from approximately 8:40am to 3:15pm. As a state school funded directly by the Department for Education, there are no tuition fees. However, parents are invited to make voluntary contributions to the School Fund, which has enabled significant building upgrades, equipment improvements and recreation area enhancements over recent years. Optional costs include uniform, educational trips (both domestic and international), and instrumental music lessons with specialist teachers.

The school premises are extensive, with the historic Elms building complemented by modern facilities. A dedicated multi-faith chaplaincy space serves the spiritual needs of all students, regardless of faith background. Science facilities include dedicated laboratories. Arts spaces include music practice rooms, a drama studio and art studios.

The school operates a carefully planned pastoral curriculum, delivered through form periods and dedicated personal, social, health and citizenship education lessons. This is strengthened by the school's focus on the 10:10 ethic — key behaviours and attitudes embedded throughout school life.

All pupils explore personal health and wellbeing, healthy relationships, careers and life in modern Britain. Age-appropriate education on consent is woven through the curriculum. Pupils learn about online safety and community safety. In the sixth form, students develop greater independence in preparation for leaving school, supported by work experience placements and responsibilities such as mentoring younger pupils and leading clubs.

Safeguarding is rigorously maintained. The school has created an open and positive culture around safeguarding that prioritises pupil interests. Inspectors judged arrangements as effective. A specialist SEND team supports the 7% of pupils with Education, Health and Care Plans, plus additional provision for speech, language and communication needs and autism spectrum disorder. Skilled staff know pupils' needs well and adapt provision accordingly.

Oversubscription and distance. With demand running at 7.26 times the available places, securing entry is challenging. The last distance offered in 2024 was 1.741 miles. Distances vary annually based on applicant distribution; proximity provides priority but does not guarantee a place. Families should verify current admissions criteria and distances well in advance.

Faith criteria. While the school is explicitly welcoming to families of other world faiths, the Christian ethos is genuine and pervasive. All pupils engage with Christian worship, theology and values through the curriculum. Families uncomfortable with a Christian character should consider alternatives.

High academic expectations. The school attracts highly engaged families and capable students. While the curriculum is designed to challenge pupils of all starting points, the culture emphasises achievement and ambition. Some families may find this intensity demanding.

A genuinely outstanding secondary school where academic rigour, pastoral care and enrichment opportunities converge seamlessly. The October 2023 Ofsted inspection confirmed what families already knew: Twyford delivers consistently strong results, maintains exceptional behaviour and attitudes, and creates a culture where pupils feel genuinely proud to belong. Best suited to families valuing a Church of England community, strong academics, and extensive enrichment. The main challenge is securing a place; once admitted, students benefit from an education of remarkable breadth and ambition.