Hammersmith Academy Review 2026: Digital Innovation in West London

Rising from the streetscape of White City, Hammersmith Academy stands as a modern architectural statement in a borough known for its educational density. Opened in 2011, this co-educational academy represents a unique partnership between the ancient and the ultra-modern: The Worshipful Company of Mercers (a 700-year-old livery company) and The Worshipful Company of Information Technologists.

This dual heritage shapes the school's entire ethos. It is a place where traditional values of conduct meet a curriculum heavily slanted towards digital media and creative technology. With 780 students, it is smaller than many London comprehensives, creating a tight-knit atmosphere where the head teacher knows the students well. The 2024 GCSE results place the school in the top 25% of schools in England, confirming its status as a high-performing local option.

The building itself sets the tone. Designed by BDP, the campus is wrapped in a distinctive yellow and grey facade that makes it instantly recognisable on Cathnor Road. Inside, the design prioritises visibility and community; a large central atrium connects the floors, and glass-walled classrooms signal a culture of openness. There is very little of the "hidden corners" feel of older schools.

Mr Gary Kynaston, the founding Headteacher, has led the academy since its inception. His leadership is characterised by a clear vision that aligns the school's specialisms, Creative and Digital Media and Information Technology, with the demands of the modern workplace. The atmosphere is professional rather than relaxed. Students wear a smart uniform that includes blazers with the academy crest, and movement around the building is purposeful.

The influence of the sponsors is palpable. The Mercers' Company brings a sense of historical weight and governance expertise, while the Information Technologists ensure the infrastructure is cutting-edge. Facilities include a professional-standard TV studio, radio station suite, and extensive digital editing hubs. This is not a school where technology is an add-on; it is the fabric of the learning environment.

In 2024, students achieved strong outcomes at GCSE, particularly given the school's mixed-ability intake. The academy ranks 994th in England for GCSE performance (FindMySchool ranking) and 12th among schools in Hammersmith and Fulham. This performance sits above the England average, placing the school comfortably within the top 25% of schools in England.

The Progress 8 score of +0.25 indicates that students make progress above the national average from their starting points. Attainment is solid, with an Attainment 8 score of 52.6 (England average: 45.9). Notably, 29.3% of students achieved Grade 5 or above in the English Baccalaureate combination of subjects.

At Sixth Form, the picture is different. The academy ranks 1,812th in England for A-level outcomes (FindMySchool ranking). While students secured a pass rate that enabled university progression, the top-end grades were harder to come by in 2024. The percentage of grades at A*-B was 40%, compared to an England average of 47%. This places performance in the 'national lower' band (bottom 40%), suggesting that while GCSEs are a clear strength, the step up to A-level sees outcomes level off against national benchmarks.

The curriculum is designed to be broad but has a clear focus in its digital specialism. Key Stage 3 covers the National Curriculum with an added emphasis on digital literacy. By Key Stage 4, students have access to specialist options that leverage the academy's facilities, such as Creative Media Production and Computer Science.

Teaching makes extensive use of the "Virtual Learning Environment" (VLE), allowing students to access resources and submit work digitally. This was embedded long before it became a necessity in other schools. The fair banding admissions system ensures classes are mixed ability, and teachers are skilled at differentiation, structuring lessons so that support is available for those who need it while stretching the most able.

The sponsors play an active role in enrichment. Students often benefit from lectures, workshops, and mentoring provided by members of the Information Technologists' Company, providing industry insights that go far beyond standard careers advice.

The 2024 cohort saw 59% of leavers progress to university. While the school serves a diverse intake, it maintains aspirations for elite institutions. In the most recent cycle, the academy supported 2 Oxbridge applications, resulting in 1 offer and 1 acceptance to Cambridge.

For a school with a technical specialism, the destination data is balanced. 16% of leavers moved directly into employment, and 5% secured apprenticeships. This route is supported vigorously by the school, particularly in the tech and media sectors where its connections are strongest.

Entry to Hammersmith Academy is fiercely competitive. In 2024, the school received 597 applications for just 131 places in Year 7. This results in a subscription ratio of over 4.5 applications per place.

The admissions process is distinct. The academy uses a Fair Banding Assessment. All applicants must sit a non-verbal reasoning test. Based on the results, applicants are placed into one of five ability bands. The academy then admits an equal number of students from each band to ensure a comprehensive, mixed-ability intake.

Once banded, priority is given to:

1. Looked-after children.
2. Siblings of current students.
3. Distance from the school gate.

It is crucial to note that "distance" here acts as a tie-breaker within each ability band. This means living across the street does not guarantee a place if your specific ability band is oversubscribed with applicants living even closer.

The House system is the engine of pastoral care. Every student is assigned to one of the Houses, which compete annually for the House Cup. This vertical structure allows younger students to mix with older peers, fostering a sense of community that counters the potential anonymity of a secondary school.

Wellbeing support includes access to school counsellors and a dedicated pastoral team. The academy takes a firm line on behaviour, with clear codes of conduct that students are expected to adhere to both in school and in the local community. The compact nature of the site means supervision is high; there are few places to hide, which tends to keep low-level disruption to a minimum.

The extracurricular offer is where the academy's facilities truly shine.

Media & Tech

Students can join the Academy Radio club, broadcasting live, or learn professional editing in the Mac Suites. The Robotics Club competes in regional competitions, leveraging the IT specialism.

Sport

Despite a compact site, the academy makes good use of its sports hall and fitness suite. Basketball and table tennis are popular, alongside external fixtures for football and netball.

Performing Arts

The theatre hosts regular productions. The annual school musical is a major event, often involving over 100 students in cast and crew roles.

Trips are frequent, ranging from ski trips to educational visits to London's museums and galleries, often subsidised or supported by the sponsors to ensure inclusivity.

The school day typically begins at 8:35am and finishes at 3:10pm, though extracurricular clubs extend well beyond this. The academy is located on Cathnor Road, a short walk from Goldhawk Road and Shepherd's Bush Market stations, making it highly accessible via the Hammersmith & City and Circle lines. There is no on-site parking for parents; drop-offs must be managed carefully in the surrounding residential streets.

The A-level Gap. Parents should note the disparity between GCSE and A-level rankings. While the school adds significant value at GCSE (top 25% nationally), A-level performance in 2024 was in the lower 40% of schools in England. Students aiming for the most competitive university courses may need to be highly self-driven in the Sixth Form.

Urban Intensity. This is a vertical, inner-city school. While the architecture is impressive, outdoor green space is limited compared to suburban schools. Breaks are taken in courtyards and the atrium. Students who need vast fields to run off energy might find the site constraining.

Competition for Places. With 4.5 applicants for every seat, this is one of the most oversubscribed schools in the borough. The Fair Banding test adds a layer of complexity; parents cannot simply rely on catchment distance without participating in the testing process.

Hammersmith Academy offers a sharp, modern education that feels inextricably linked to the future of work. It combines the pastoral safety net of a smaller school with the technical ambition of a specialist college. Best suited to students who will thrive in a high-energy, digitally-rich environment and who are comfortable in a modern, built-up setting. The main challenge is securing a place in the face of intense local demand.