London Nautical, City of London Academy

History anchors this school to the South Bank just as firmly as the river it overlooks. Founded in 1915 as a direct response to the Titanic disaster, London Nautical School was established to improve maritime safety and training. Today, while it operates as a modern state comprehensive for boys aged 11 to 18 (with a co-educational Sixth Form), that maritime heritage remains its defining pulse.

Located on Stamford Street, minutes from Waterloo station, the school recently entered a new chapter, joining the City of London Academies Trust (CoLAT) in January 2025. This move brings the educational muscle of one of London’s highest-performing trusts to a school that has long marched to its own beat. It serves a diverse intake from across London, drawn by a curriculum that still offers professional maritime qualifications alongside standard GCSEs.

The atmosphere here is distinct from the typical London comprehensive. The maritime link is not a gimmick; it is woven into the fabric of the day. You are as likely to see students in specialist engineering workshops as in a chemistry lab. The ethos is built on the traditions of the merchant navy, valuing discipline, hierarchy, and teamwork, though softened by the realities of modern inner-city education.

Mr Michael Schofield leads the school, steering it through its recent conversion to academy status. The partnership with the City of London Academies Trust is significant. CoLAT is known for rigorous academic standards and strict behaviour policies, suggesting a shift in culture is underway to align the school’s historic character with the Trust’s high-performing academic template.

The building itself tells the story of its evolution, a Grade II listed structure that manages to feel both institutional and intimate. It sits in the heart of cultural London, with the National Theatre and Southbank Centre as neighbours, yet the school looks outward, maintaining active links with the shipping industry and the Royal Navy.

As a newly converted academy operating under a fresh URN, long-term trend data is reset, but the 2024 results provide a snapshot of the current academic position.

In 2024, the school recorded an Attainment 8 score of 41.9, sitting below the England average of 45.9. The Progress 8 score of -0.26 indicates that students make progress slightly below the national average from their starting points. However, the school ranks 13th among schools in Lambeth for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking) and 2,781st in England, placing it in the national lower band. This position reflects solid performance in line with the middle-to-lower range of schools in England (60th to 100th percentile).

It is important to view these figures through the lens of the curriculum. Many students pursue BTEC and vocational maritime qualifications which are not always fully captured in standard Progress 8 metrics. For boys committed to a maritime pathway, the vocational outcomes often carry more weight than the aggregate academic ranking suggests.

The curriculum operates on two tracks. For the majority, this is a standard secondary education covering the National Curriculum. Teaching follows the structured approach typical of CoLAT schools, emphasising subject mastery and clear routines.

However, the "Nautical" in the name denotes a genuine specialism. The school is unique in offering a maritime curriculum that includes nautical studies and marine engineering. Facilities for this are exceptional for a state school, including specialist workshops for marine engineering and navigation training that covers radar and VHF radio operation.

Key Stage 3 (Years 7-9) remains broad, but by Key Stage 4, students can opt for specialist pathways. The integration of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) is naturally strong, driven by the practical applications of navigation and engineering.

STEM: Maritime Focus

Science and technology here have a practical edge. The school leverages its industry connections to bring STEM to life. Students do not just learn physics; they apply it to buoyancy, stability, and navigation. The Marine Engineering pathway allows students to work with engines and mechanical systems, providing a tactile, hands-on learning experience that is rare in central London.

Destinations are as diverse as the intake. A significant proportion of leavers progress to maritime careers, securing cadetships with the Merchant Navy or entering the Royal Navy. The school’s industry links provide a direct pipeline for these students, often bypassing traditional university routes for sponsored professional training.

For those following the academic track, university destinations include a range of institutions. In 2024, the Sixth Form saw 17.8% of grades at A*-B. While this figure is below the England average, it sits alongside strong BTEC results in Level 3 qualifications. Students progress to universities across the UK, with courses in engineering, sports science, and business being popular choices.

Admissions are coordinated by Lambeth Council, though the school draws applicants from across London due to its specialism.

Uniquely, the school offers designated "Nautical" places. Up to 10% of the intake can be selected based on an aptitude for nautical studies. This does not require prior experience but assesses an interest in and aptitude for the maritime curriculum. Families interested in this route must complete a Supplementary Information Form (SIF) in addition to the standard Common Application Form (CAF).

For standard places, oversubscription criteria prioritise looked-after children, siblings, and then distance. The school is consistently popular, and families outside the immediate Waterloo area typically rely on the aptitude route or sibling links to secure a place.

Pastoral care is organised through a House system, with houses named after famous ships, reinforcing the maritime identity. This structure provides a sense of belonging within the larger school. Form tutors are the first point of contact, staying with their group as they move up the school.

The transition to CoLAT is likely to strengthen the pastoral framework further, introducing the Trust’s robust systems for safeguarding and student welfare. Support for students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) is coordinated by the SENCO, with specific support available for literacy and numeracy to ensure all boys can access the curriculum.

Extracurricular life is dominated by the water. The school maintains a fleet of boats, and students have regular opportunities for sailing, kayaking, and rowing. The onsite Sea Cadets unit is a central pillar of school life, offering structured training, camps, and ceremonial duties.

Sport is also a strength, particularly football. The school runs a highly successful Football Academy in the Sixth Form, which combines elite coaching with academic study. The basketball team also competes at a high level locally.

Cultural opportunities are enhanced by the Southbank location. Partnerships with nearby institutions like the Young Vic and the BFI provide students with access to the arts that few schools can match.

The Sixth Form is co-educational, welcoming girls into Year 12. This changes the dynamic of the school significantly at the top end. The offer combines A-levels with robust BTEC options, particularly in Sport and Maritime Studies.

Entry requirements vary by course. A-level pathways generally require higher GCSE grades (typically grade 6 or above in relevant subjects), while vocational courses have their own criteria. The Sixth Form is small enough to offer personal support but benefits from the facilities and connections of the main school.

The school day typically runs from 8:30am to 3:10pm, though extracurricular activities and sports fixtures extend this well into the evening. The location is exceptionally well-connected, a short walk from Waterloo (National Rail, Jubilee, Northern, Bakerloo lines) and Southwark (Jubilee line) stations.

There is no on-site parking for parents; public transport is the only viable option for travel. Uniform is strictly enforced, consisting of a navy blazer with the school crest, white shirt, and House tie.

Academy Transition: The recent move to the City of London Academies Trust (January 2025) marks a significant period of change. Families should expect new policies, stricter behavioural expectations, and a drive to improve academic metrics.

Specialist Appeal: This is a school with a very specific flavour. For boys who love the sea, engineering, or sport, it offers opportunities unavailable elsewhere. For those with no interest in the maritime or sporting specialisms, the school is a standard comprehensive in a busy city location.

Academic Metrics: Current raw academic metrics (A-levels and Progress 8) are below national averages. Families focused purely on A-level league tables may find other local options rank higher, though this data does not capture the success of the vocational pathways.

London Nautical is a unique institution. It is not a standard comprehensive; it is a specialist school with a 100-year history of sending boys to sea. For a boy with an interest in engineering, navigation, or sport, this school offers a tailored education that is genuinely different. Under the new stewardship of the City of London Academies Trust, it is poised to tighten its academic rigour while preserving its distinctive maritime soul. Best suited to boys who will thrive on the practical, team-based ethos of the nautical tradition. The main challenge is securing a place if you live outside the immediate catchment and do not qualify for a specialist place.