Located in Feltham within the London Borough of Hounslow, Space Studio West London is a specialist school for students aged 14 to 19 with a dedicated focus on space, aerospace, and science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). This is not a traditional secondary school; it operates as a Studio School, a model designed to bridge the gap between education and the workplace. With a small capacity of just 300 students, the environment is intimate and business-like, attracting those who seek a more professional, project-based approach to learning. The school serves as a regional hub for aspiring engineers and scientists, drawing students who are prepared to trade a standard broad curriculum for deep technical specialism.
The atmosphere at Space Studio West London is more akin to a modern tech start-up than a traditional classroom setting. Students do not wear standard school uniforms; instead, they dress in business attire, reflecting the professional ethos. The building itself is a purpose-built facility designed to facilitate collaborative work. Open-plan learning spaces and high-specification laboratories replace rows of desks, encouraging students to work together on complex briefs.
Sarah Johnson-Scott serves as the Principal, bringing a focus on establishing clear links between academic study and industrial application. Under her leadership, the school has maintained its status as a small, specialist community where every student is known personally by the staff. The professional expectations are high, with students expected to manage their own time and projects, mirroring the autonomy found in the aerospace and space industries.
Academic performance at Space Studio West London reflects its highly specialised and relatively small cohort. For GCSE outcomes, the school ranks 3,719th in England (FindMySchool ranking) and 23rd in Hounslow. The average Attainment 8 score in 2024 was 33.1, while the Progress 8 score of -1.13 indicates that pupils achieve lower grades than those with similar starting points in mainstream schools. This is often characteristic of specialist providers where the curriculum is narrowed to technical subjects, potentially impacting scores in traditional academic measures like the English Baccalaureate (EBacc), where 0% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in 2024.
At A-level, the school ranks 2,220th in England and 19th in Hounslow. In 2024, nearly 30% of students achieved A* to B grades, with 4.5% securing A grades and 1.5% at the A* level. While these rankings sit within the below England average tier, the results must be viewed through the lens of the school's specialist mission. Students here are often focused on technical and vocational excellence in physics, mathematics, and engineering.
England ranks and key metrics (where available)
A-Level A*-B
29.85%
% of students achieving grades A*-B
GCSE 9–7
—
% of students achieving grades 9-7
The curriculum at Space Studio West London is the school's primary differentiator. From Year 10, students focus heavily on STEM subjects, with the school day structured around project-based learning. This approach involves students working on real-world problems, often set by industry partners. The school has developed unique links with organisations such as the National Space Academy, BP, and Heathrow Airport.
Teaching is delivered by staff who often have industry backgrounds, ensuring that the theoretical physics or mathematics taught has immediate practical context. Class sizes are significantly smaller than the England average, allowing for a high degree of individual support. The 14 to 19 age range means that students enter at a point where they have already made a conscious decision to pursue a technical career path, creating a peer group of motivated individuals.
As a specialist STEM provider, the school offers facilities and opportunities that exceed standard secondary provision. The laboratories are equipped to industry standards, supporting advanced experiments in physics and engineering. A cornerstone of the experience is the Project-Based Learning sessions, where students spend significant time working on long-term scientific challenges.
Students participate in high-profile national competitions, including the CanSat competition, where they design and build a simulation of a real satellite. The school also facilitates regular opportunities, such as the annual Year 12 trip to NASA in the United States, providing students with direct exposure to Johnson and Kennedy Space Centers.
Quality of Education
N/A
Behaviour & Attitudes
N/A
Personal Development
N/A
Leadership & Management
Good
Extracurricular life is almost entirely focused on professional and technical development. Rather than traditional sports teams, students engage in the Robotics Club, the Coding Society, or the Astronomy Club. The school operates a longer day than most, with sessions often running until late afternoon, allowing for guest lectures from aerospace professionals and workshops on university entrance for STEM degrees.
The professional development programme is a mandatory element of school life. Students engage in weekly workshops focusing on interview techniques, public speaking, and project management. Work experience is an ongoing integration, with students often securing placements at major engineering firms in the Heathrow corridor.
In the 2024 cohort, 38% of leavers progressed to university, with many choosing high-level engineering or physics degrees. An additional 8% secured apprenticeships, often with prestigious aerospace and technical partners, while 19% entered direct employment. The school is particularly successful in placing students into degree-level apprenticeships with companies such as Amazon and Taylor Woodrow. Popular university choices include prestigious institutions such as the University of Cambridge, for which the school provides targeted application support.
Entry to Space Studio West London occurs at Year 10 (age 14) and Year 12 (age 16). For Year 10, there are 75 places available annually. Applications for 2026 entry should be made directly to the school. Because students are leaving their current schools at a non-standard point, the school holds taster days and numeracy tests to ensure students are ready for the professional, self-directed environment. For Year 12 entry, students typically need a minimum of five GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including mathematics and English.
As a state-funded Studio School, Space Studio West London does not charge tuition fees. There are no annual costs for the primary educational provision. However, families should consider costs for professional business attire, which is required daily, and any optional international trips, such as the visit to NASA. The school provides support for eligible families via the 16-19 Bursary Fund, which can help with costs related to transport, meals, and essential equipment.
The school day typically runs from 8:40 am to 4:00 pm, though technical projects and clubs often extend this. The school is well-served by public transport, located within walking distance of Feltham railway station and accessible via several bus routes. As there is no formal catchment area, places are allocated to those who demonstrate an interest in the specialist curriculum, drawing students from across West London and surrounding counties.
Space Studio West London is a highly effective specialist provider that prepares young people for careers in the space and aerospace sectors. It is a purposeful, professional environment that feels more like a workplace than a school. Best suited to students who have a genuine passion for STEM and who feel held back by the breadth of a traditional comprehensive school. For the right student, this is a transformative launchpad into the world of high-level engineering and science.
Yes. Space Studio West London is rated Good by Ofsted (last inspected March 2023). It is a specialist school that excels in STEM subjects and industry links, though its traditional academic rankings are lower due to its narrow focus and small student cohort.
Students start here in Year 10 (age 14) or Year 12 (age 16). It is designed for students who want to specialise in STEM subjects for their GCSEs and A-levels.
There are no tuition fees as this is a state-funded school. Families only need to cover the cost of required business attire and optional trips.
There is no traditional school uniform. Instead, all students are required to wear business attire, such as suits or professional office wear, to reflect the school's professional ethos and its close links with industry.
Applications for Year 10 and Year 12 2026 entry are made directly through the school. Prospective students are usually required to sit a numeracy test to ensure they can handle the rigorous mathematical demands of the curriculum.
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