Southgate School, Barnet: Excellence for All

Between Cockfosters and Oakwood tube stations, just off the Cat Hill roundabout, sits a school that has been educating London's young people since 1907. Southgate School began as Southgate County School in Palmers Green, relocated to Fox Lane, and finally settled in its current Sussex Way campus in Cockfosters in 1960, where it merged with Oakwood Secondary Modern School. The school now serves approximately 1,410 pupils across Years 7 to 13 as part of the Middlesex Learning Trust academy network.

Academic performance places the school squarely in the top tier locally and above average nationally. The school ranks 1,124th in England for GCSE results (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the top 25% of schools in the country. An ungraded Ofsted inspection in April 2025 suggests the school may have improved significantly since its last formal assessment in October 2019, when it was rated Good across all areas including behaviour, quality of education, and personal development. The evidence points to a school that treats its motto seriously: Excellence for All.

The comprehensive embrace here is palpable. Inspection feedback captures what parents and students consistently report: pupils are happy, they enjoy their learning, and strong relationships between staff and students define daily life. The school's approach to behaviour creates a calmer environment. Low-level disruption in lessons is rare. Exclusions have fallen below national averages, a deliberate outcome of leadership prioritising inclusion over punishment.

Students describe feeling genuinely valued. The school operates "Be Well Zones" where pupils can access support from adults or trained peer mentors. Bullying is not a significant problem; when incidents do occur, staff address them fairly. The pastoral structure includes a House system that generates friendly inter-year competition and recognition ceremonies that celebrate not just academic achievement but sporting success, creative talent, and community contribution.

Martin Lavelle, the headteacher since 2015, has built an environment where students develop both academically and personally. Under his stewardship, the school converted to academy status in April 2016, joining the Middlesex Learning Trust. The leadership team maintains exceptionally high expectations, communicated clearly to students from day one.

The 1,531-capacity campus accommodates mixed-gender cohorts from Years 7 through 13. The community is diverse. Approximately 35% of students have English as an additional language, and 23% are eligible for free school meals. This socioeconomic and cultural mix is treated as an asset. Special events including Black History Month celebrations ensure students learn about and respect different cultures and faiths.

GCSE Performance

The Attainment 8 score of 54.5 sits above both the local authority average (46.9) and England average (45.9), signalling solid achievement across the qualification range. Approximately 66% of pupils achieved grades 5 and above in English and Mathematics, well above the England average of 46%.

The school ranks 10th among Enfield secondaries and 1,124th nationally, placing it in the top 25% of schools in England (FindMySchool data). This consistent, above-average performance reflects structured teaching and high academic expectations embedded throughout the curriculum.

Progress 8 score of +0.37 indicates pupils make above-average progress from their starting points compared to peers with similar baseline attainment. This gains significance given the school's diverse intake; students are making genuine academic strides, not merely coasting on prior advantage.

A-Level Performance

The sixth form caters to internal progressers and external applicants from across Greater London. A-level students achieve A*-B grades at a 56% rate, above the England average of 47%, with 9% achieving A* grades. Students across a broad range of subjects perform well, with particular strengths in facilitating subjects including mathematics, sciences, English literature, and languages.

The school ranks 851st in England for A-level results (FindMySchool ranking), positioning it in the middle 35% of schools nationally. This places it above the typical state school and points to a sixth form delivering solid, rigorous education without screening out students on entrance.

University Destinations & Beyond

In 2023-24, 68% of leavers progressed to university, 4% began apprenticeships, 3% entered further education, and 11% went into employment. The school maintains strong connections with Russell Group universities. Recent cohorts have secured places at Cambridge, Durham, Bristol, Exeter, Edinburgh, and Imperial College, demonstrating that the academic pipeline reaches competitive institutions.

One student achieved a Cambridge place in 2023-24, a meaningful outcome from a comprehensive state sixth form.

The curriculum is broad and ambitious, designed to meet the needs of all learners. Staff receive high-quality training through the Middlesex Learning Trust, with access to NPQ programmes in behaviour, teaching development, and senior leadership. Teachers benefit from structured collaboration with colleagues across trust schools, ensuring pedagogical expertise is shared and strengthened.

The school places a sharp focus on reading across all year groups. Literacy underpins success in every subject; this is not treated as an English department responsibility but as a whole-school priority. Subject-specific teaching is rigorous. Specialist science status (awarded 2004) reflects investment in laboratory facilities and specialist equipment, particularly within the sciences.

The curriculum includes the full range of qualifications: GCSEs, A-levels, and vocational options at BTEC level 2 and 3. Students study up to 30 A-level subjects, including facilitating A-levels and some more specialised options. The school provides classroom teachers with subject knowledge development through structured peer review and cross-trust moderation.

Setting in key academic subjects allows pace differentiation. Homework is structured and tracked through Show My Homework. Pupil attendance is above national average, a result of clear expectations and close monitoring.

The enrichment offer is extensive and deliberately inclusive. The school motto "Excellence for All" is not rhetorical; every student is encouraged to participate in after-school clubs, free of charge and running every night of the week. Participation earns Epraise points that count towards individual achievement, tutor group standing, and house competitions.

Music and Performing Arts

Music is a defining strength. The school orchestra, jazz band, and school choir perform at regular concerts throughout the year. Individual instrumental and vocal tuition is available; uptake demonstrates that music is embedded in school culture. Drama productions are scaled and ambitious, with professional-standard performances filling the main theatre. Recent productions have involved substantial casts and orchestral accompaniment. Specialist music facilities support an active programme.

The Standing Ovation Drama Club meets regularly and welcomes all abilities. Theatre design, lighting, sound, and performance are all taught and practised.

Creative Arts

Art and photography clubs run throughout the week. Student work is exhibited in the school Art Gallery; the quality of GCSE and A-level art portfolios is consistently strong. A-level offerings include traditional Art and Design, Applied Art, Photography, and vocational options in Graphic Design and Digital Art.

Sports and Physical Activity

Football, netball, basketball, and hockey are organised at multiple levels, from recreational clubs to competitive representative teams. The school fields Year 7 and 8 Football sides, Seniors Netball teams, and Year 10 & Seniors Basketball. These compete in local leagues and friendlies. Success on the pitch is recognised through the rewards system; sport is one of several pathways to achievement.

STEM and Technology

Coding Club (Years 7-8) introduces computational thinking and programming fundamentals. Science Club (Years 7-8) offers practical investigation and experiment. Engineering Club welcomes all year groups and explores applied mechanics, problem-solving, and design thinking. The IT and Computer Science curriculum includes formal qualifications, and optional coding pathways extend learning for the genuinely interested.

Academic and Leadership Pathways

The Brilliant Club, a social mobility programme, supports high-achieving students from under-represented backgrounds to engage with university-style scholarship. Selected Year 9 and 10 students join a Scholars Programme with structured mentoring and enrichment. Duke of Edinburgh Award (all levels, Bronze through Gold) is available and well-subscribed; participants develop resilience, teamwork, and leadership.

Student Leadership roles are taken seriously. Prefects, house captains, and subject ambassadors develop responsibility and agency. The school council influences decisions affecting students. Year group leadership teams support behaviour, attendance, and cultural activities.

Additional Clubs

Homework Club runs daily, supporting independent study and homework completion. History Drop-In and History Film Club appeal to students with deeper interests in that discipline. Spanish Cinema Club exposes learners to authentic language and culture. Let's Get Cooking Club (Years 7-8) teaches practical life skills and cultural understanding through food. Chess Club develops strategic thinking. Medical Society (MED SOC) supports students interested in health professions and provides mentoring from sixth formers with medical ambitions.

Gaming Club welcomes students interested in recreational and competitive gaming; this is recognised as a legitimate social and strategic interest. The menu of clubs ensures that students of all interests find community and belonging.

Admission to Year 7 is coordinated through Enfield's local authority admissions process. The school is non-selective at primary entry; places are allocated by proximity to the school gates. In recent years, applications have substantially exceeded available places, indicating strong local demand.

The last distance offered in the most recent admissions cycle was 3.15 miles. Distances vary annually based on applicant distribution; proximity provides priority but does not guarantee a place. Families should verify current distances before relying on a place here. Sixth form entry (Year 12) is open to both internal and external applicants, with admission conditional on achievement of GCSE grades specified by individual subjects.

Safeguarding is at the forefront of practice. Staff are trained to identify vulnerability and respond swiftly. The school knows about local risks and takes action to keep students safe, including escorting pupils to local bus and train stations during peak travel times.

The Student Support Centre and Be Well Zones provide accessible mental health and emotional support. Trained peer mentors and qualified staff offer confidential help. A structured behaviour policy rewards positive choices and sanctions poor choices fairly. The new policy (introduced in recent years) has been positively received by students, who particularly value having input into reward choices.

School day runs 8.50am to 3.20pm for Years 7-11 and follows a slightly adjusted timetable for Year 12-13. The school offers a thriving sixth form centre where students enjoy private study space, a common room, and dedicated facilities.

Transport: The school sits between two tube stations (Cockfosters and Oakwood, both on the Piccadilly Line). Local bus routes serve the area extensively. The school arranges coach transport for trips and visits.

School meals are available daily, with hot and vegetarian options. Students may bring packed lunch. Breakfast is available before school begins.

School uniform is required across Years 7-11; sixth formers follow a smart-dress code.

Accessibility by transport. The school is well-served by public transport but lies in the outer reaches of North London. Families living south or east of central London may face 45-60 minute journeys. Proximity is prioritised in admissions, so distance is a genuine constraint on whether entry is achievable.

Broad rather than specialist curriculum. This is a comprehensive secondary, not a selective grammar or specialist arts/science school. The academic expectations are high and the outcomes are solid, but there is no guarantee of entry into the most competitive degree programmes without sustained individual effort. The sixth form caters to students with a range of aspirations, not just those destined for Russell Group universities.

Growing roll and admissions pressure. The school is popular locally. Admission is increasingly competitive. If your home address falls outside 3.15 miles of the school gates, chances of gaining a place are low. Check carefully before expecting a place.

A comprehensive secondary that delivers on the promise of its motto: excellence genuinely for all, not just those at the top end. The April 2025 inspection signals the school has maintained and likely improved on its Good rating, with exceptionally high expectations communicated consistently and backed up by above-average GCSE progress and solid sixth form outcomes. Strong pastoral care, a rich extracurricular offer, and an inclusive ethos mean students want to come to school. Best suited to families within the wider catchment area seeking a rigorous, values-driven education that balances academic ambition with genuine care for the whole child. Entry remains the primary challenge; once families secure a place, they find a school that works tirelessly to help students succeed.