The City Academy, Hackney: Corporate Sponsorship Meets Community Excellence

Academic rigour backed by two of London's most powerful institutions creates something unusual in Hackney: a comprehensive school where disadvantaged students routinely outperform national averages. Sponsored by the City of London Corporation and global professional services firm KPMG, The City Academy has transformed the educational landscape in Homerton since opening in 2009. The school's Progress 8 score of +0.56 places it well above England average, demonstrating that students here make significantly more progress than their peers elsewhere. With an Outstanding sixth form and a curriculum framework called The City Experience, this is a school that takes seriously both the academic and personal development of its 1,170 students.

The building itself tells a story of community involvement. Designed by Studio E Architects, local school children acted as clients during the design stage through the Sorrell Foundation, resulting in a school that genuinely reflects what young people wanted from their learning environment. The modern premises include purpose-built facilities including gyms, astroturf sports pitches, and industry-standard music and drama studios.

Ms Anna Sarchet has led the academy since September 2022, bringing fresh leadership to an already high-performing institution. The school operates on three foundational principles that staff repeat often: clear structures, high expectations, and strong relationships. These are not mere slogans. Behaviour is calm and purposeful. Students move between lessons with a sense of purpose, and the extended school day, with libraries open from 7:30am, creates natural spaces for independent study.

The House system divides students into Aldgate, Ludgate, Moorgate, and Newgate, names drawn from the historic gates of the City of London. Student captains and vice-captains run house events, from reading competitions to sports tournaments. This vertical structure means Year 7 students mix with sixth formers, creating mentoring relationships that benefit both groups.

What distinguishes this academy from many comprehensives is the direct involvement of its corporate sponsors. KPMG funds free instrumental tuition for every Year 7 student. The City of London Corporation subsidises international trips to Spain and France. Work experience placements and mentoring from professionals in the Square Mile provide students with networks and aspirations that might otherwise be inaccessible to young people from some of Hackney's most deprived wards.

GCSE Outcomes

The school's GCSE results consistently exceed national averages. In 2024, 80% of students achieved grades 9-4 in both English and mathematics, with 59% reaching the higher grade 5 threshold in both subjects. In English alone, 87% achieved grades 9-4, while 80% reached grades 9-5.

The school ranks 952nd in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), placing it comfortably within the top 25% of schools in England. Locally, it sits 6th among Hackney secondaries. The Attainment 8 score of 53.1 significantly exceeds the England average of 45.9, while the Progress 8 score of +0.56 indicates students make substantially more progress here than would be expected from their starting points.

The EBacc entry rate stands at 31%, with an average EBacc APS score of 4.87, above the England average of 4.08. One in five students achieved five or more grades at 7-9, demonstrating that the school stretches its most able students effectively.

A-Level and Post-16

The sixth form received an Outstanding judgement in the 2023 Ofsted inspection, the highest possible rating for post-16 provision. A-level results show 55% of entries achieving grades A*-B, with 17% at A*-A. These figures sit in line with the middle 35% of schools in England for A-level outcomes, ranking 1151st nationally and 8th in Hackney.

The school ranks 670th in England for combined Oxbridge success (FindMySchool ranking), with one student accepting a place at Cambridge in the most recent measured period. This achievement, from a comprehensive serving a significantly disadvantaged intake, demonstrates that exceptional potential can be identified and nurtured here.

The academy's curriculum framework, The City Experience, places equal emphasis on five pillars: academic achievement, creative development, sporting engagement, linguistic proficiency, and personal growth. This is not a school that treats extracurricular enrichment as an afterthought bolted onto exam preparation.

Teaching follows traditional structures. Classrooms are focused and orderly. Students are expected to complete classwork and homework to the best of their ability, with clear consequences when standards slip. Staff have high expectations that translate into consistent routines.

The Additional Studies programme extends learning beyond the standard timetable. Year 7 and 8 students can access Art Club, Athletics, Axiom Maths, Book Club, Choir, Computing Basics, Debate Club, Drama Club, Duolingo language practice, Fitness sessions, History Mysteries, Mindful Maths Colouring, Model Making Mimicry, Music Tech Club, Orchestra, Poetry Club, Racket Sports, and Science Club. By Year 9, options evolve to include Business, Chess Club, Expect Respect, Introduction to Sociology, GCSE Statistics, Korean language, MoneyTime financial literacy, and Psychology Club.

Every student studies at least one modern foreign language. The subsidised trips to France and Spain are not rewards for the privileged few; they are designed to widen access to enriching international experiences for all students.

In 2024, 70% of sixth form leavers progressed to university, with notable destinations including UCL for architecture and law, King's College for mathematics, and Leeds University for politics. 27% of university-bound leavers secured places at Russell Group institutions.

Degree apprenticeships have become increasingly popular, with students joining programmes at the BBC, PwC, and Bloomberg. This reflects the school's pragmatic approach to post-18 pathways. The careers team, aligned with Gatsby Benchmarks, ensures students understand the full range of options beyond traditional university routes.

6% of leavers entered apprenticeships, while 12% moved directly into employment. The remaining leavers pursued further education or training. The school's corporate sponsors play an active role here too, with KPMG offering paid alternatives to higher education and volunteer subject mentorship.

The City Academy is consistently oversubscribed. With 759 applications for 170 places, competition is significant. The school operates a PAN (Published Admission Number) of 180 for Year 7, with admissions coordinated through Hackney Local Authority.

Distance plays a significant role in admissions. In 2024, the last distance offered was 1.122 miles. Distances vary annually based on applicant distribution; proximity provides priority but does not guarantee a place. Families considering this school should use the FindMySchoolMap Search to check their precise distance from the school gates.

The admissions criteria, available on both the school and Hackney Education websites, set out oversubscription arrangements including priority for looked-after children, those with an EHCP naming the school, siblings of current students, and then distance from home to school measured in a straight line.

For sixth form entry, 110 places are available per year. Internal students should apply by the end of autumn term; external candidates by spring half term. Entry requirements are published annually, and given the Outstanding sixth form rating, competition for external places is strong.

Open events for September 2026 entry are scheduled throughout the autumn term. Parents should check the school website for specific dates, as these typically run in September and October each year. The school hosts both open evenings and morning tours.

The pastoral system is structured around Heads of Year working closely with Deputy Heads of Year. Tutors conduct Monday morning sessions to monitor progress, check planners, and lead discussions on weekly themes. Personal Advisers meet students individually and in groups, establishing aspirational targets through Student Learning Plans.

Safeguarding is taken seriously. Five designated safeguarding officers are named on the school website: Ms Eden Atewojaye, Ms Ayla Brewer, Mr Fergus Kirby, Mr David Brown, and Mr Olu Ladega. Counselling and mentoring services are provided by Ms Precious Meta-Kabemba, while health guidance comes from Ms Rubina Parvin. The Education Welfare Officer, Ms Khonzokuhle Ndlovu, supports families with attendance and punctuality concerns.

The PHSCE programme covers personal, health, social, career, and emotional awareness across all year groups. This includes mandatory relationships and sex education, mental health awareness, and preparation for life beyond school. A merit system rewards positive behaviour, effort, attendance, and reading achievements.

The anti-bullying policy encourages all students to report repeated, deliberate, hurtful behaviour. Staff take reports seriously, and the head of year team work directly with families to resolve concerns.

Music and Creative Arts

Every Year 7 student receives free instrumental tuition, funded by KPMG. This is not a token gesture; the school commits genuine resources to ensuring all students, regardless of family income, can learn an instrument. The Orchestra and Choir provide performance opportunities, while Music Tech Club explores contemporary production techniques.

Drama Club and the industry-standard studios enable productions throughout the year. Art Club runs across multiple year groups, maintaining creative opportunities as students progress through the school.

Sport

The PE department runs competitive squads and after-school clubs throughout the year. Training sessions operate before and after school for students representing the academy in fixtures ranging from football to taekwondo. The astroturf pitches and gymnasium facilities support both recreational participation and elite development.

STEM

Science Club introduces younger students to experimental inquiry beyond the curriculum. Computing Basics and Music Tech Club develop digital skills. The Axiom Maths programme provides enrichment for mathematically able students.

Duke of Edinburgh Award

The sixth form enrichment programme includes accreditation through the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme, providing structured personal development through volunteering, physical activity, skills development, and expeditions.

School hours run from 8:30am to 3:30pm. The extended day means the Lee Library (for Key Stage 3 students) opens from 7:30am to 8:20am and 3:30pm to 4:30pm. The Turing Library (for Key Stage 4 and sixth form) opens 3:30pm to 5:30pm, providing dedicated study space for older students. Both libraries offer fiction, non-fiction, magazines, computers, and Chromebooks.

The school is located at Homerton Row, Hackney, E9 6EA. Homerton railway station provides direct access from central London and the Elizabeth line network. Multiple bus routes serve the area. Parking is limited, reflecting the urban location; most students travel by public transport, cycling, or walking.

Competition for places remains fierce. With more than four applications per place, families outside the 1.122-mile radius may struggle to secure entry. Distances vary annually based on applicant distribution; proximity provides priority but does not guarantee a place. Those without siblings at the school face the highest barriers.

The corporate ethos may not suit everyone. The involvement of KPMG and the City of London Corporation brings significant benefits, but the explicit focus on business, financial services, and professional pathways may feel narrower than families seeking a more traditional comprehensive experience might prefer.

Years 10 and 11 focus on intervention rather than enrichment. The Additional Studies programme that offers such variety in lower years gives way to targeted support as GCSE examinations approach. Students seeking extensive extracurricular choice throughout their secondary career should note this shift.

A-level results, while solid, do not match the exceptional GCSE performance. The sixth form is rated Outstanding for its provision, but raw grade outcomes sit in the middle band nationally. Families prioritising elite A-level results may wish to compare options.

The City Academy, Hackney demonstrates what can be achieved when institutional resources, clear expectations, and genuine care combine. The Progress 8 score tells the most important story: students here make significantly more progress than their starting points would predict. For families in Homerton and surrounding areas seeking strong academics, corporate connections, and a school that refuses to accept deprivation as destiny, this is a compelling choice. The Outstanding sixth form adds real value for students progressing internally. Entry is the challenge; those who secure a place gain access to opportunities that rival far more expensive options.