Laurel Park School Review 2026: A Community School with Creative Ambition

Laurel Park School serves a diverse and vibrant community in Southgate, Enfield, offering a stable and supportive environment for students aged 11 to 19. Formerly known as Southgate School and subsequently Broomfield School before its rebranding in September 2023, the institution has undergone significant transformation. The school currently holds a Good rating from Ofsted, following a comprehensive inspection in November 2024. While academic results at GCSE have historically sat below the England average, the school focuses heavily on personal growth, creative culture, and vocational pathways.

The atmosphere at Laurel Park School is one of purposeful inclusion. Situated in Southgate, the school operates as a close knit community where students are encouraged to collaborate. The school identity is built around the "4Cs"—Curriculum, Character, Culture, and Community—and values of Integrity, Determination, Excellence, and Ambition.

Ms Adele Christofi has led the school as Headteacher since the rebranding in September 2023. Her leadership has been characterized by a drive to raise expectations and improve the physical learning environment. The school buildings have seen recent investment to create brighter, more modern social spaces.

Academic performance at Laurel Park School reflects steady progress from varying starting points. In the 2024 results, the school achieved an average Attainment 8 score of 37.7. While this is currently below the England average of 45.9, it represents a broad curriculum where students take a mix of academic and vocational subjects.

The school ranks 3,104th in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking) and ranks 22nd locally in Enfield. This position places the school within the bottom 40% of schools in England for attainment metrics. The Progress 8 score of -0.37 indicates that students generally make slightly less progress than their peers nationally, though this is balanced by strong performance in creative and practical subjects.

Teaching at Laurel Park follows a structured approach with a heavy emphasis on literacy and digital skills. The curriculum is broad in the lower years, allowing students to explore arts, technology, and humanities before specializing. In the senior years, there is a clear push toward vocational excellence alongside traditional GCSEs.

External reviews confirm that teachers have strong subject knowledge and plan lessons designed to build confidence. The school has worked to ensure that the "Laurel Park Way" of teaching is consistent across all departments, focusing on clear objectives and regular feedback.

Sixth Form

The Sixth Form at Laurel Park, which launched in September 2024, provides a bespoke vocational environment. It focuses heavily on providing pathways to further education and employment for students for whom traditional academic pathways may not be appropriate. Students can choose from a range of vocational subjects and also have the opportunity to resit GCSE English or Maths.

The Sixth Form facilities include dedicated study areas and a common room. The school encourages Sixth Formers to be role models, often attending senior leadership meetings to help shape the provision.

Where Students Go Next

Students leaving Laurel Park School follow a variety of successful pathways. The school’s dedicated vocational focus in the Sixth Form prepares students for:

• University
• Degree Apprenticeships
• Apprenticeships
• Direct Employment

The school’s careers programme is a significant strength, ensuring that even those not pursuing traditional academic routes have a clear plan for their professional future.

Admissions are coordinated by Enfield Local Authority. Laurel Park School is a popular local choice. For the September 2026 intake, the application deadline is 31 October 2025.

Parents interested in the school should note that for the most recent entry cycle, the school was oversubscribed, with 247 applications for 119 places. However, it currently offers places to all students who list the school as their first preference. Families can use the FindMySchoolMap Search to check their precise distance from the school gates compared to previous allocation patterns.

Fees & Financial Aid

Laurel Park School is a state funded foundation school, meaning there are no tuition fees for students.

However, the school provides financial support through the 16-19 Bursary Fund. This government funded scheme is designed to help students in the Sixth Form overcome specific financial challenges, such as the cost of transport, books, or equipment. Eligibility is based on household income and specific financial needs. Students must apply at the start of Year 12 and reapply for Year 13.

Pastoral care is a cornerstone of the Laurel Park experience. The school operates a year group system where form tutors stay with their cohorts, building deep knowledge of each student’s needs.

The school’s most recent Ofsted report in November 2024 recognized the school as Good across all areas, noting that behaviour is calm and orderly. The school has also invested in mental health support, including a focus on personal development that is highly valued by parents.

The extracurricular life at Laurel Park is varied, with a particular strength in performing arts and community engagement.

STEM: Innovation and Technology

The STEM curriculum is bolstered by specialized clubs where students use industry standard equipment. Science laboratories have been recently refurbished to support more practical, hands-on learning.

Other activities include various sports teams that compete in local Enfield leagues and the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme.

The school day begins at 8:35am and concludes at 3:10pm. The school is well served by public transport, located within walking distance of Southgate Underground station and local bus routes. For those walking, Wilmer Way provides safe access. Families should contact the school directly for up to date information on wraparound care and after school clubs.

• Academic Performance: While results are improving, the school currently sits in the below average tier for GCSE attainment in England.
• Rebranding and Change: The school has undergone significant changes in name and leadership recently, which has brought fresh energy and a Good Ofsted rating.
• Oversubscription: With over two applications for every place, the school is gaining popularity. Families should check their distance from the school carefully.

Laurel Park School is a resilient and ambitious community school that excels in supporting students through a creative and vocational lens. It offers a safe, inclusive environment where students can find their footing. Best suited to local families who value strong pastoral care and a broad curriculum over purely traditional academic pressure.