St Mary Magdalene Academy Review 2026: Purpose-Built Excellence in North London

When the buildings opened in 2007, architects Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios created something purpose-built for ambitious education. The modern, award-winning campus won a Royal Institute of British Architects National Award in 2009, but the real achievement lies not in the architecture itself, striking though it is, but in the pupils and students who inhabit it. At reception, children arrive at the gates of what rapidly becomes the most oversubscribed school in Islington. By the time those same children reach Year 6, 96% have met expected standards in reading, writing and mathematics. The primary phase ranks 36th (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the elite tier in England. Secondary students fare equally well; the school ranks 716th in England at GCSE (FindMySchool data), sitting in the top 25% of schools across England. With three applicants for every place at secondary entry, and just under seven seeking a place in Year 7, St Mary Magdalene Academy has become the rare state school where demand far outstrips supply, and where results justify the competition entirely.

Just inside the entrance, the first impression is purposeful calm. The building's design speaks to its ethos: plenty of natural light, corridors wide enough for easy movement between classes, and a layout that makes clear the school cares about transitions and flow. The secondary school sits alongside the primary in a deliberately integrated campus, allowing younger pupils access to specialist facilities while older students mentor the young.

The atmosphere hums with genuine community. Students describe the school as kind and welcoming, fostering a sense of family and inclusion that transcends the typical comprehensive experience. The House system, with small Family Groups of about 20 students and dedicated Guardians, ensures nobody becomes a number. Staff know pupils individually, a task easier said than done in a school of 1,600, yet evidently achieved.

The school’s motto (from James) paraphrases the idea: live well, and let your deeds be shaped by the gentleness that comes from wisdom. Not merely displayed on walls, it genuinely shapes culture. Students' language reflects it. Teachers' approach embodies it. The academy's shorthand, simply "Happy and Successful," indicates what this school has decided matters most.

Mr John Reardon took over as Secondary Headteacher in September 2025, bringing fresh leadership to an institution that has already established itself firmly. The church affiliation is genuine but inclusive; the school welcomes students of all faiths and none. Collective worship happens regularly, but spiritual, moral, social and cultural education is woven through curriculum, assemblies and tutor time, not delivered separately. The diversity of the intake reflects London; 62% of pupils are from minority ethnic backgrounds, and English is not the first language for a significant proportion. This diversity is treated as a strength, not a challenge.

Primary Phase

Performance at primary level is exceptional. In 2024, 96% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics combined, compared to 62% in England, a 34%age-point margin that places the school well above average. The school ranks 1st among Islington primaries and 36th in England (FindMySchool data), confirming elite-tier performance.

Breaking down the metrics: 93% achieved the expected standard in reading, with 67% reaching greater depth. The scaled score of 111 exceeds the England average of 100. At mathematics, 97% met expected standard with 67% at higher level, the scaled score reaching 113. Grammar, punctuation and spelling shows the strongest performance: 97% at expected standard, 80% at higher standard, with a scaled score of 114. Science stands at 97% expected standard, another marker of comprehensive strength across subjects.

The critical measure of progress, moving children from varied starting points to high attainment, confirms this isn't a selective elite skewing easy results. Many pupils begin with skills below age-related expectations; the school's curriculum structures, specialist teaching from secondary staff, and focused reading programme (Sounds Write) ensure substantial progress.

GCSE Performance

The secondary phase maintains momentum. In 2024, the Attainment 8 score was 56.6, compared to England's average of 45.9. Progress 8 of +0.31 indicates pupils make above-average progress from their starting points. The school ranks 716th in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool data), placing it in the top 25% and 2nd within Islington. 45% of all grades were 7 (equivalent to old A) or above, opening doors to strong sixth form and university pathways.

The English Baccalaureate is taken seriously; 36% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in the EBacc, well above the typical entry-level threshold. This broad-based achievement, not concentrated in a narrow band of subjects, suggests genuine curriculum depth.

A-Level Performance

The sixth form extends success upward. 71% of A-level grades were A*-B, compared to England's average of 47%, a substantial lead. The grades break down as 12% A*, 27% A, and 32% B. The school ranks 403rd in England at A-level (FindMySchool data), again placing it in the top 25%. These figures open pathways to competitive universities.

Twenty-eight students applied to Oxbridge in the measured period; three secured acceptances, with strong success at Cambridge specifically. Beyond the Oxbridge headline, 40% of sixth form leavers progress to Russell Group universities, and recent cohorts have secured places at Imperial College, Edinburgh, Durham, and Bristol, confirming a genuine pipeline to selective institutions.

The curriculum is deliberately broad and ambitious. In secondary Lower School, the Independent School Exam Board (ISEB) curriculum ensures pupils are well challenged and prepared for the academic path ahead. This choice of external curriculum framework, uncommon in state schools, signals intentional rigor. Upper School pupils pursue nine core GCSEs, with optional add-ons: Astronomy, Further Mathematics, and extra languages available to those ready for stretch.

Teaching follows clear structures. Subject specialists deliver their curriculum with confidence. Staff are well-supported through rigorous lesson observation cycles, comprehensive training, and performance management directly linked to pupil outcomes. The school invests significantly in continuing professional development.

The Liberal Arts module runs across years 7-9, ensuring pupils encounter breadth before narrowing at GCSE. A trans-disciplinary approach allows pupils to build understanding across disciplines, historical context informing literature, mathematics applied to science, art enhancing humanities. This breadth reflects a genuine philosophy: education as something more than exam cramming.

Specialist teachers from the secondary phase teach in primary, delivering music, PE, and Mandarin to younger pupils. This cross-phase enrichment lifts expectations and provides continuity; a Year 6 pupil experiencing Year 7-standard teaching in music begins secondary with deeper understanding.

Sixth Form Entry and Progression

Approximately 50% of Year 11 students continue at St Mary Magdalene, entering the academically selective sixth form. This threshold, requiring evidence of sustained progress and commitment, maintains the academic culture while allowing genuine movement for students seeking alternative environments. Those leaving typically progress to sixth form colleges, with Woodhouse and Camden Girls named as common destinations, alongside City and Islington College for vocational routes.

University Destinations

The data reveals a genuinely selective university pipeline. In 2024, 58% of leavers progressed to university, with 19% entering employment, 3% to further education, and 1% to apprenticeships. The Oxbridge achievement, three acceptances from 28 applications (a 11% success rate), sits above national averages and reflects the school's academic selectivity. Cambridge saw particular success with 3 acceptances from 16 applications, a 19% offer rate.

Beyond Oxbridge, 40% of sixth formers progress to Russell Group universities. The pipeline to top institutions is genuine and well-established, suggesting consistent academic culture and confident university guidance.

The extracurricular provision is both comprehensive and genuinely named. This is not a generic "many clubs" claim; the school explicitly lists specific societies and programs that shape student experience.

Music: Central to School Life

Music provision extends from primary onward. Pupils in the primary learn through specialist teaching, with choir opportunities developing ensemble skills. Secondary students can join chapel choir, performing in sacred settings and contributing to school worship. A school orchestra sits at the centre of musical identity. The school offers individual instrumental tuition across a full range of instruments; application forms exist for those seeking lessons. Jazz ensembles provide an alternative musical tradition, and smaller chamber groups allow specialisation. Music unfolds across multiple ensembles, not a single competing programme, maximising access and participation.

Drama: Accessible and Ambitious

The annual Shakespeare performance is legendary at the primary level, giving every pupil a stake in drama. Secondary drama extends through multiple pathways: an Acting Academy provides structured development for keen performers; standard drama lessons across all years ensure breadth; and school productions fill three performance venues throughout the year. The school's emphasis on drama is genuine; it's embedded in PSHE and enrichment alongside traditional theatre productions.

Sport: Facilities and Culture

Games occupy a prominent space. The soundproofed gymnasium, deliberately built without need for whistles, suggesting an acoustically designed space, hosts basketball, hockey, dance, trampolining, cricket and badminton. Two hours of PE per week means sport is woven through school life rather than occasional. An astroturf on the roof provides football and other pitched sports. The indoor sports hall accommodates five-a-side football leagues, indicating the school's willingness to open facilities for community use alongside school provision. Rugby, football, hockey, cricket, tennis, and athletics all feature. The specificity matters: students don't just "play sport"; they represent teams with identity and purpose.

Academic Enrichment and Leadership

The Debate Club provides formal argumentation training. Masterclasses bring exceptional speakers, described as Permanent Secretaries, Nobel Prize winners, and Booker Prize-winning authors, into the school, elevating student horizons. These are not token visits; the school has clearly built relationships with accomplished individuals willing to inspire students.

For those with scientific or engineering interests, computing clubs and robotics opportunities exist. The Mandarin Excellence Programme, a distinct specialism, provides advanced language learning. Chess club opens early, from 7:30am, indicating breakfast provision and genuine social inclusion.

Community and Character

The Dungeons and Dragons Society represents the breadth of inclusion; not every student fits the traditional academic mould, and this society suggests the school's genuine commitment to pupils' intrinsic interests. Students sign up to what speaks to them, and the school ensures something exists for nearly every inclination.

Martial arts training happens before school, offering alternative physical outlets. Community service and Duke of Edinburgh opportunities ensure character development beyond academics.

The school's Global Citizenship specialism permeates extracurricular life. International partnerships, humanitarian awareness, and outward-looking perspective inform club structure and trip selection.

The school employs 107 teaching staff and 77 non-teaching support staff, reflecting investment in pastoral care and educational delivery. The staffing ratio (approximately 11 pupils per teacher in primary; 16 in secondary) allows genuine individual attention. This is not a mechanically overcrowded school.

Pastoral care operates through the House system in secondary, the Guardian model ensuring every student has a named adult overseeing their wellbeing. Specialist support exists for those requiring additional help; the SENCO coordinates provision for pupils on the SEN register. A school counsellor provides emotional support; outside providers are used for specific therapies. This layered approach, from tutor through Guardian to counsellor to specialist services, provides genuine safety net.

Primary Admissions

Reception entry is heavily oversubscribed. In 2024, 140 applications competed for 30 places, a 4.67 times oversubscription rate. The school is non-selective, using distance as the primary criterion after looked-after children and siblings. In 2024, the last distance offered was 0.98 miles, reflecting tight localised demand. Distances vary annually based on applicant distribution; proximity provides priority but does not guarantee a place. Families should verify distance before relying on a place; annual variation occurs based on applicant distribution.

Contact the school directly for enquiries. Application is through Islington's coordinated admissions process.

Secondary Admissions

Competition intensifies at Year 7. Of 210 places, 30 are reserved for primary pupils, then preference goes to looked-after children and siblings. 10% (18 places) are selective on language aptitude, with 400 pupils recently competing for those 18 spots. The remaining places are allocated by distance.

The school has also introduced an aptitude test. Registrations opened in September 2025, with the test scheduled for October 2025 (Friday 3 October for Year 7 entry in 2026). The test is designed to assess aptitude rather than to narrow entry, it's the mechanism for allocating places, not a gatekeeping mechanism on ability.

Open mornings run in September and October; the main open evening happens Thursday 2 October 2025, 5-7pm (no booking needed).

Sixth Form Entry

Sixth form is academically selective. Entry requires sustained GCSE performance and commitment to A-level study. The school aims for approximately 220 students in Year 12; application is through an online form with interview process.

School Times

Primary operates 8:45am-3:20pm (with soft start from 8:30am). Secondary runs longer school days to accommodate specialist blocks. The school opens from 7:30am for early clubs (chess, martial arts, breakfast at £1), accommodating working families.

Transport and Location

The school sits on Liverpool Road in Holloway, N7. Nearby transport includes Highbury & Islington (Victoria line and Overground) and Holloway station (Piccadilly line), both within walking distance. The location provides easy London access without the chaos of central school placement.

Faith Context

The school is Church of England, sponsored by the London Diocesan Board for Schools and part of Hive Education Trust. Pupils may enter through church attendance criteria, though places are also available through distance allocation. The faith is genuine but not exclusionary; collective worship involves all faiths and none.

Cost

This is a state school; there are no tuition fees. Music tuition is available through individual lessons (details on the website). School meals operate through ParentPay. Uniform is required.

The House system represents the backbone of pastoral care. Each House has approximately 200 students, further subdivided into Family Groups of around 20 with named Guardians. This structure means no student is anonymous; Guardians know pupils' families, concerns, and aspirations. The impact, the school notes, is significant as pupils move through buildings, belonging is intentional.

Staff wellbeing is taken seriously; the school has explicitly signed up to research on workload and health. Teaching observation is rigorous but supportive; training addresses identified gaps rather than punitive performance management.

Safeguarding is embedded. Regular checks, clear reporting lines, and preventive approaches feature. The school has achieved Outstanding in Ofsted, with inspectors noting a culture where pupils feel safe and know whom to talk to.

Extreme oversubscription. With nearly seven applications per place at secondary and almost five at primary, entry is the main obstacle. Securing a place within the tight distance band is the genuine challenge. Once enrolled, families report happiness; but admissions are fiercely competitive.

Church affiliation. The school is Church of England and integrates faith throughout the day. For families uncomfortable with collective worship or faith education, this may feel incompatible. The good news: the school explicitly welcomes all faiths and none, and the faith is inclusive rather than evangelically aggressive. But the C of E character is real.

Pace and expectations. This is an ambitious school with high expectations for all. Students thrive here when they embrace challenge; those seeking a gentler path or alternative pedagogies may find the academic culture intense.

Sixth form selectivity. Around 50% of Year 11 students stay into sixth form, meaning the other 50% necessarily leave. This is intentional, the school believes sixth form entry should mark a milestone of commitment. For families hoping for continuous throughput, this shift represents a natural departure point.

St Mary Magdalene Academy represents what ambitious state education can achieve when leadership, staff, pupils and families align around clear values. The results are undeniable: elite primary performance, strong secondary outcomes, a genuine pipeline to selective universities, and a student body that genuinely feels happy. The motto about gentleness born of wisdom isn't pious decoration; it shapes daily life.

Best suited to families within the tight catchment area who value academic rigour, pastoral care, and character formation alongside exam success. The school succeeds in being both academically selective (without formal selection) and genuinely inclusive; its diversity reflects North London's population, and that diversity is treated as educational asset.

The main challenge is securing entry. For those who do, the education is exceptional. Parents using the FindMySchool Local Hub can compare results with nearby alternatives; the data speaks clearly. Whether considering primary or secondary, St Mary Magdalene Academy deserves shortlisting if you're in reach. The competition reflects the school's genuine quality, not inflated reputation.