La Retraite Roman Catholic Girls' School Review 2026: Academic Excellence and Catholic Values in South London

The sisters who founded La Retraite in 1880 travelled from France with a mission to establish a girls' school in South London. Nearly 150 years later, their legacy of rigorous education and Catholic values lives on at this state-funded secondary school in Clapham Park, now educating over 1,200 pupils. The school was rated Outstanding by Ofsted in December 2023 across all areas, including a standout Outstanding rating for sixth form provision. Academic performance is consistently strong, with GCSE results placing the school in the top 25% nationally (FindMySchool ranking), and A-level outcomes in 2024 marking the best results in the school's history. The sixth form, which admitted girls only until the 2000s and now welcomes boys, has grown to house nearly 400 students. Beyond the classroom, La Retraite maintains a broad enrichment programme that spans music performances, sports competitions, and specialist T Level courses in emerging fields like Digital and Childcare.

La Retraite occupies a campus that visibly reflects its history. Victorian and Edwardian buildings stand alongside modern facilities: a Performing Arts Block completed in 2013, the Aya Centre opened in 2020 to house T Level provision, and a rebuilt Sports Hall from 2010. The chapel, rebuilt in the 1930s, remains central to school life, with daily Mass and the annual celebration of the Feast of the Sacred Heart marking the school's Catholic identity. This is not a school where faith recedes into the background; girls see their peers engage with religious education as part of the mainstream curriculum, and many attend liturgies and parish masses.

Mr Dominic Malins, who has led the school for the past 15 years and joined the staff 15 years before that, describes his educational philosophy rooted in local community. His personal connection runs deep: his mother was a La Retraite pupil herself. Under his tenure, the school has expanded significantly and navigated the transition from grant-maintained to voluntary aided status with confidence. Leadership stability is evident in the school's consistent Ofsted ratings; La Retraite has achieved Outstanding three times in recent years (2007, 2013, and 2023).

The student body is diverse: over 50% speak English as an additional language, and families come from both Catholic and secular backgrounds. The school explicitly welcomes students of all faiths. In practice, this pluralism works. Girls report feeling safe and supported, and behaviour across the school is described by inspectors as outstanding both in and out of lessons, characterised by kindness and respect.

GCSE Performance

In 2024, the school achieved an Attainment 8 score of 51.8, substantially above the England average of 45.9. This places La Retraite in the top 25% of secondary schools nationally (FindMySchool ranking: 1058th in England). Within Lambeth, the school ranks 5th out of all secondaries, positioning it as a strong performer in a competitive London borough.

English Baccalaureate uptake stands at 29% of pupils achieving grades 5 or above, above the England average of 41% entry. The Progress 8 measure, which tracks how much progress pupils make from their starting points, shows a score of +0.22, indicating above-average progress relative to pupils' prior attainment.

A-Level Performance

Sixth form results in 2024 marked a watershed moment: the school announced it had achieved the best A-level, C-Tech, and T-Level results in its history. With approximately 44% of A-level grades at A*-B (compared to the England average of 47%), the sixth form sits in the typical middle range nationally, though the significance lies in the improvement trajectory and the breadth of pathways offered.

The school's commitment to technical qualifications is evident: T Level students in 2024 included one achieving AAA*, six securing AAA, and eleven reaching BBB. This diversification of post-16 qualifications reflects broader shifts in post-secondary options and provides pupils with alternatives to the traditional university path.

Ofsted noted that teaching is characterised by expert subject knowledge. Lessons follow clear structures, with teachers asking skilled questions that build pupils' confidence. The curriculum is ambitious: pupils study separate sciences from Year 7 rather than combined science, and language provision is generous, with French embedded in the main school and additional languages available at A-level.

Beyond core subjects, the school has invested significantly in specialist provision. The Aya Centre, completed in 2020, houses state-of-the-art facilities for T Level delivery, with dedicated teaching spaces for Digital, Childcare & Education, Health & Science, Construction, Legal Services, and newly added Craft & Design and Media Broadcast & Production routes. This infrastructure signals the school's determination to offer technical routes alongside traditional GCSEs and A-levels, rather than treating vocational education as a secondary option.

Learning Support is inclusive. Approximately 2% of pupils have EHC plans, and the school operates an Autism Resource Base. Additional needs are identified early, and a graduated approach ensures differentiated provision in mainstream classes and targeted intervention where required.

In 2024, 59% of sixth form leavers progressed to university, 4% to further education, 5% to apprenticeships, and 16% to employment. The school places particular emphasis on university progression, and recent destinations include Cambridge, Imperial College, Edinburgh, and Durham. One Cambridge place in 2024 was achieved from five applications, a modest but meaningful representation at England's most selective universities.

The school's partnership with The Access Project supports top 20% achievers with 1:1 tutoring and expert mentoring, specifically targeting competitive applications such as Oxbridge and medicine. This scholarship programme appears to have effect: in 2024, 18 pupils secured places at medical schools, while others progressed to Law, Engineering, and Humanities at Russell Group institutions.

The school was awarded recognition from The Careers & Enterprise Company in 2024 for Outstanding Careers Provision. This reflects a dedicated careers programme that moves beyond generic guidance to offer specific workplace engagement: partnerships with JP Morgan, Lambeth College, LDN Apprenticeships, and major universities including St John's College Cambridge and UCL mean pupils access real professional insight.

The enrichment offer is substantial and deliberately structured to give pupils agency in shaping their experiences. Pupils choose from a diverse menu of clubs, trips, and leadership pathways rather than being funnelled into standardised provision.

Music: Performances and Tours

Music is visible across school life. The school maintains multiple ensembles: Gospel Choir (which has performed at Wembley), Chamber Orchestra, Symphony Orchestra, Jazz Ensemble, and multiple choirs including a dedicated Cantamus Choir. Concert performances take place regularly in London venues including cathedrals and concert halls. An annual music tour abroad showcases recent examples: 2024 included performances in churches across Paris with a trip to Euro Disney, while past tours have featured singing in Bruges Cathedral. Instrument tuition is subsidised heavily by the school, with specialist teachers offering violin, electric guitar, trumpet, saxophone, and over 20 other instruments. Music department staff perform professionally with orchestras and artists outside school hours, bringing expert-level teaching into the classroom.

Drama and Performing Arts

The 2013 Performing Arts Block houses dedicated spaces for Drama and Dance. School productions draw large casts and orchestras, with performances in multiple venues throughout the school calendar. The Drama Studio facilitates rehearsals and performances, while the Dance Studio offers additional space for choreography and movement-based work. Trips to West End productions and cultural venues form part of the drama curriculum.

Sports and Physical Activities

The multi-purpose floodlit sports pitch, created in 2015, serves as the school's primary facility for netball, hockey, football (full-sided and 5-a-side), and Tag Rugby. The Sports Hall hosts indoor provision. A new Sports Day held at Tooting Athletics Track provides competitive outlet. Sports leaders undertake formal roles supporting primary-aged pupils, and leadership positions build team management skills. Outdoor education is offered through clubs including rock climbing, first aid, and mountain biking.

Specialist Societies and Academic Clubs

The sixth form Enrichment Programme names specific societies: Medicine and Competitive Sciences, Law and Humanities, Politics Philosophy and Economics, Maths Engineering and Finance, and Ancient and Modern Foreign Languages societies. The Extended Project Qualification (equivalent to half an A-level) encourages independent research on topics of student choice, with completed projects judged highly by universities and employers. The Certificate of Personal Effectiveness (ASDAN) offers accredited skills development in activities both inside and outside school, valued at 16 UCAS points.

Below the sixth form, the school runs department-specific clubs: Biology Club, Coding, Robotics, Debating Society, and others, though the full menu rotates termly based on pupil interest and staff capacity. The school deliberately limits advertising a generic "many clubs" list in favour of highlighting names and meeting times, allowing pupils to self-select based on genuine interest rather than vague aspiration.

Leadership and Community Engagement

Every student can access leadership pathways. The Senior Student Leadership Team comprises sixth-form presidents, vice-presidents, and house captains. A School Council, elected by peers from each form, meets half-termly to raise issues and feed back to senior leadership. The Big Sister club provides mentoring for younger pupils. The Giving Back Programme encourages fundraising and volunteering, with specific partnerships including CAFOD Young Leaders and Amnesty International workshops. Wellbeing retreats held off-site focus on mindfulness, scripture analysis, team building, and leadership skills.

Global engagement is built into enrichment: sixth formers visit Washington DC, New York, Barcelona, Greece, and Italy. Partnerships with major institutions offer networking: St Paul's School provides Politics and Law events, Medicine conferences are held with universities, and UCAS fairs are jointly hosted.

Admissions to Year 7 follow the standard local authority coordinated admissions process through Lambeth Council. The school is significantly oversubscribed: in the most recent data available, 336 applications were received for 163 places. This 2:1 oversubscription ratio means distance from school becomes a key factor after looked-after children and siblings. The most recent distance figure available is 5.595 miles, though this fluctuates based on postcodes of applicants in each cycle. Families should consult the school website or Lambeth Council for current cutoff distances.

Entry to the sixth form (La Retraite 6) is open to external applicants meeting the school's entry requirements, which typically require GCSE grades 4 and above (or equivalent) in relevant subjects. The sixth form is mixed, with girls forming the traditional main school roll and boys joining the sixth form cohort. A separate admissions process with specific deadlines applies; prospective sixth-formers should request details from the Director of La Retraite 6 directly.

Open Days and visits are held regularly. The school recommends potential pupils and families attend to experience the campus and meet staff. Current dates are published on the school website; contact the school for the upcoming schedule.

School hours: 8:50 am to 3:20 pm for the main school. La Retraite 6 operates extended hours, typically 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, reflecting the demands of post-16 study and enrichment.

Transport: The school is located in Balham, SW12 0AB. Public transport links include bus routes serving Clapham Junction, Balham, and Tooting. Parking is available on the school site for those requiring it. Many pupils walk or use buses given the location in a residential area. The floodlit sports pitch has benefited local clubs, improving the school's standing in the wider community for sports facilities access.

Catering and meals: The school operates dining facilities on site. A range of meal options is available, including vegetarian and halal provision. Free school meals are available to eligible families (currently approximately 37% of the student body).

The school day includes form tutoring, with every pupil assigned to a form tutor who provides pastoral oversight and academic guidance. Head of Year and Pastoral Support Managers oversee wellbeing within each year group.

The school's pastoral model is comprehensive. Form tutors, Heads of Year, and Pastoral Support Managers form a team supported by Assistant Headteachers and the Deputy Headteacher (currently Miss Asha Sidhu). This multi-layered structure means concerns can be escalated quickly and support is coordinated. Pupils report feeling happy and safe, and families speak favourably of the school's warmth, a consistent theme in inspection feedback.

Mental health support is prioritised. Designated mental health leads are in place, and the school signposts pupils to external services including counselling where needed. Online safety guidance is provided to pupils and families. Dedicated staff monitor attendance, following up rapidly on absences in line with safeguarding protocols.

Behaviour expectations are high and consistently enforced. The school emphasises kindness and respect as core values. Bullying concerns are taken seriously, with a clear reporting process and swift investigation. Families can raise concerns through form tutors or senior staff, and the school has a formal complaints procedure for concerns that are not quickly resolved.

The school's ethos encapsulates the phrase "Act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with God", and this shapes the environment. Pupils from different backgrounds and faiths coexist respectfully, with the school demonstrating in practice that a Catholic identity and religious pluralism are compatible.

Catholic character is genuine and pervasive. Daily Mass takes place in the chapel, and the school celebrates the Feast of the Sacred Heart annually. Religious education is a discrete GCSE and A-level subject, not a token provision. Families comfortable with a faith-centred environment will find La Retraite's approach resonates; those seeking a school with minimal religious presence should consider alternatives.

Girls' school with mixed sixth form requires adjustment. Until sixth form entry, pupils study in a single-sex environment. Boys join at Year 12. Some families specifically seek girls-only education for secondary; this school accommodates that for Years 7-11 only. Sixth-form pupils interact across gender from the outset.

Oversubscription means distance is critical. With nearly 2 applications per place, the cutoff distance of 5.595 miles signals that families must live reasonably close to secure entry. Distances fluctuate annually based on applicant postcodes. Families should verify their precise distance from the school gates before relying on a place. Parents can use the FindMySchoolMap tool to check their exact distance against the last distance offered.

Attainment expectations are high, but not selective. The school is comprehensive, not grammar; there is no entrance exam. However, staff expect sustained engagement with academic work. Pupils struggling with pace or finding the curriculum too demanding should discuss support early with the school.

La Retraite is a large, thriving secondary school with demonstrable academic strength and a palpable Catholic identity. The school balances tradition (chapel, religious teaching, uniform) with modern ambition (T Levels, enrichment breadth, careers partnerships). Pupils describe feeling safe, supported, and challenged. Staff turnover is low and leadership stable, suggesting sustainability of quality.

For families seeking academic rigour, Catholic values, and broad enrichment within a state-funded setting, La Retraite delivers compellingly. The oversubscription and distance cutoff are the main barriers; once secured, places in the school offer strong outcomes and genuine community.

Best suited to families within or near the catchment area seeking a Catholic education with above-average academic outcomes and extensive co-curricular opportunities. The main challenge is securing entry.