Situated on Southbury Road, Kingsmead School is a large, vibrant academy that serves the diverse community of Enfield with a distinct flair for the creative. Unlike many comprehensives that have narrowed their focus solely to core metrics, Kingsmead has held fast to its identity as a specialist in Visual and Performing Arts. It is a school where the drama studio is as busy as the science lab, and where confidence is built as much on the stage as in the classroom.
Serving around 1,500 students, the school is consistently oversubscribed, a testament to its strong reputation locally. Under the leadership of Mr David Medway, Headteacher since 2017, the school has maintained a 'Good' rating from Ofsted (2022) and delivers academic progress that sits well above the England average. For families in Enfield, it offers a compelling mix: rigorous comprehensive education with a genuine creative heart.
The school motto, Practise to Perfect, captures the ethos here; it applies as much to a mathematics problem as it does to a piano rehearsal. The campus itself is a busy, functional blend of 1960s architecture and modern additions, including the impressive 278-seat theatre which acts as a hub for the school’s artistic life.
There is an energy to Kingsmead that is palpable. With a large student body, movement between lessons is lively, but the atmosphere is purposeful. The values of "Courage, Collaboration, Nurture, Rigour, Integrity, and Respect" are visible in the way students interact. It is a diverse community, reflecting modern London, and the school prides itself on being inclusive. Students describe it as a "family" despite its size, a feeling fostered by the house system and stable pastoral teams.
The arts specialism is not just a label. It influences the confidence of the student body. The legacy of alumni such as Jessie Wallace and Tameka Empson suggests a school that validates creative ambition. This confidence often spills over into other areas; students here are articulate and used to presenting themselves, skills that serve them well beyond the school gates.
Academic performance is a clear strength, particularly in terms of progress.
In the Sixth Form, the picture is mixed. While the school offers a broad range of A-level and vocational courses, top-end A-level grades are lower than the GCSE performance might predict.
England ranks and key metrics (where available)
A-Level A*-B
36.81%
% of students achieving grades A*-B
GCSE 9–7
—
% of students achieving grades 9-7
The curriculum is broad and balanced. Key Stage 3 maintains a wide range of subjects, ensuring students have a grounding in humanities, languages, and the arts before making choices. The "Kingsmead Lesson" provides a consistent structure across departments, which helps students know what to expect and settles them quickly into learning.
Teachers have strong subject knowledge, particularly in the specialism areas. The "Rigour" in the school's values is seen in the expectation for focus in lessons. Ofsted inspectors in 2022 noted that leaders have high expectations for behaviour and that low-level disruption is rare, allowing teachers to teach.
Support for students with Special Educational Needs (SEN) is fully integrated. The "Nurture" value drives the Learning Support department, which works to remove barriers to learning rather than simply lowering expectations.
The majority of Year 11 students choose to stay on for the Sixth Form, a strong endorsement of the school culture. For those leaving at 18, destinations are diverse.
In 2024, 65% of leavers progressed to university. Destinations range from local London institutions to elite universities. In the most recent cycle, one student secured a place at Cambridge, demonstrating that the pathway to Oxbridge exists for those with the drive to pursue it.
For students seeking alternatives to university, the school supports strong vocational pathways. Approximately 6% of leavers moved into further education colleges and 4% secured apprenticeships in 2024.
Quality of Education
N/A
Behaviour & Attitudes
N/A
Personal Development
N/A
Leadership & Management
Good
Admission to Kingsmead is coordinated by Enfield Council. It is a popular school and is consistently oversubscribed.
Applications
866
Total received
Places Offered
252
Subscription Rate
3.4x
Apps per place
The school operates a Year Group system where Learning Directors (Heads of Year) often move up the school with their cohort. This continuity allows for strong relationships to form; staff know the students and their families well.
Non-teaching pastoral managers are available throughout the day to deal with immediate issues, preventing small social frictions from impacting learning. The school takes mental health seriously, with on-site counselling and strong links to external agencies. Bullying is tackled using a restorative approach where appropriate, and students report feeling safe.
This is where Kingsmead truly shines. The Visual and Performing Arts specialism drives a rich extracurricular programme. The annual school production is a professional-grade event involving hundreds of students in cast and crew.
Music is central to school life. There are choirs, bands, and ensembles, and students admitted on aptitude places receive free instrumental tuition. The department makes good use of the 278-seat theatre for regular performances.
Sport is also well-catered for, with a gym, sports hall, and football pitch. School teams compete in Enfield borough competitions. The Duke of Edinburgh Award is popular, offering students the chance to build resilience through expeditions.
The school day starts at 8:40am and finishes at 3:10pm. The site is located on Southbury Road, well-served by public transport with Southbury Station nearby and buses stopping outside. There is no on-site parking for parents. Uniform is strictly enforced, with blazers and ties expected to be worn correctly.
This is a state-funded academy, meaning there are no tuition fees. Education is free for all students.
Kingsmead School offers a vibrant, successful education that serves its community well. It proves that a comprehensive school can deliver strong academic progress while keeping the creative arts at its heart. Best suited to students who want a diverse, energetic environment where they can succeed academically and express themselves creatively. The main challenge is securing a place in this popular local school.
Yes. The school was rated Good by Ofsted in its most recent inspection (April 2022). GCSE students consistently make progress above the England average, with a Progress 8 score of +0.27 in 2024.
The school selects 10% of students based on aptitude in Art, Drama, Music, or Dance. You must complete a supplementary information form and your child will be invited to an assessment or workshop, typically held in early October.
There is no fixed catchment map. Places are allocated by straight-line distance from the school gate. In 2024, the last distance offered was 1.144 miles. Distances vary annually based on applicant distribution; proximity provides priority but does not guarantee a place.
Yes. The Sixth Form offers a wide range of A-level and BTEC courses. Admission is based on GCSE grades, and the Sixth Form is open to both internal and external applicants.
Reflecting its specialism, the school offers extensive clubs in drama, music, art, and dance, including a major annual production. There are also sports teams, a debating society, and the Duke of Edinburgh Award.
Get in touch with the school directly
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