Oasis Academy South Bank Review 2026: Excellence Rising in Waterloo

In 2013, the Oasis Community Learning trust opened an ambitious secondary school in converted office space next to Westminster Bridge Road. What began as a small free school with mixed-ability teaching has become a destination secondary with an outstanding Ofsted rating achieved twice. Today, the academy educates 726 students aged 11 to 19 in the heart of Waterloo, drawing cohorts from across London rather than relying on strict local catchment. The majority progress to Russell Group and leading universities, with a notable track record of Oxbridge success. As a free school with no tuition fees, Oasis Academy South Bank offers first-class secondary education in a central London location where spaces are competitive. The school's progress and attainment metrics consistently exceed both local and national averages.

Pupils flourish in a culture of high expectation matched by genuine warmth. The converted office building, completed in May 2016 by Gleeds, houses a genuinely inclusive school where mixed-ability teaching at Key Stage 3 deliberately avoids streaming by prior attainment. Teachers work with clear subject expertise and students respond with exemplary attitudes. Behaviour is excellent throughout the school; students are caring and supportive of one another, with minimal disruption to learning observed during lesson visits.

The school operates an extended day with compulsory enrichment activities, built into the schedule rather than bolted on. This deliberate choice means all students, regardless of background, access the same cultural and developmental opportunities. The House Coach system provides personal pastoral care, with each student assigned an adult who becomes their "in-school parent." Leadership is decisive. Principal Anna Richardson, who joined in January 2022, maintains the school's strategic focus on "climbing the stairs to greatness," a phrase embedded throughout the school's language and identity.

The Oasis Waterloo Hub, adjacent to the school building, runs integrated services including a church, debt advice centre, foodbank, and youth support services. This integrated approach to community transformation shapes the school's ethos daily. Students benefit from involvement with the Community Hub, both receiving support and contributing through service projects. The physical environment reflects thought: the building was methodically converted in three phases to become fit-for-purpose secondary provision, with 45 educational outings arranged annually for students to broaden their experiences beyond the classroom.

GCSE Performance

Oasis Academy South Bank ranks 873rd in England for GCSE outcomes, placing it in the top 19% nationally and well above England average (FindMySchool data). The Attainment 8 score of 54.3 reflects strong achievement across all subjects. Progress 8 in 2025 reached 0.88, meaning students make nearly one full grade of additional progress in each subject compared to national peers — a remarkable indicator of the school's value-added impact. The average Progress 8 score for state-funded schools in Lambeth is negative; Oasis sits dramatically above it.

89% of Year 11 students were entered for the English Baccalaureate qualification, considerably above the national target of 75%, ensuring breadth across English, maths, science, languages, and humanities. One hundred percent of Year 11 leavers progressed into education, training, or employment, reflecting the school's determination that no student leaves without a defined next step. In 2022, nearly 30% of all GCSE grades awarded were 7 or above, underscoring consistency in top-tier achievement.

A-Level Performance

50% of A-level grades were awarded at A*-B in the latest cohort, with both attainment and progress measures improving since 2023. All A-level students progressed to further study, degree apprenticeships, or employment. Of those pursuing university, 50% chose Russell Group universities including UCL, Manchester, Sheffield, LSE, Queen Mary, Bristol, King's College London, and Nottingham. Individual success stories highlight the depth: Solomon achieved AAAB and secured a place at Oxford to read Chemistry; Shafi achieved AAA for a Biomedical Science place at King's College London; Minerva achieved AAA for Mathematics at the University of Bath. The sixth form, rated Good rather than Outstanding by inspectors, is improving steadily and represents an increasingly strong proposition for internal progression or external entry.

Teachers are subject experts who know what to teach, when to teach it, and the best method to do so. This pedagogical clarity allows pupils to develop understanding and deepen knowledge step by step. History lessons demonstrate this: Year 10 students, having studied the Reformation and religious tension at Key Stage 3, could explain conflicting attitudes to Elizabeth I's legitimacy at Key Stage 4, connecting prior learning seamlessly. In English, Year 12 students compared texts by recalling previous knowledge about character development and key ideas, showing cumulative mastery.

Mixed-ability teaching underpins Key Stage 3, a deliberate choice the school defends through evidence of impact. At Key Stage 4, some streaming begins to provide targeted support for GCSE pathways. The Fresh Start phonics programme supports selected Year 7 students to improve reading fluency. Staff are adept at adapting learning for individual needs, including those with SEND; leaders are quick to identify additional needs and initiate support. The curriculum is knowledge-rich, designed through a government pilot scheme for the best outcomes. Pupils respond well to regular checks on understanding, which reveal knowledge gaps and misconceptions. Regular revision tasks allow students to recall and apply previous learning.

Destinations reveal the school's academic trajectory. In 2024, 72% of sixth-form leavers progressed to university, with a further 7% starting apprenticeships and 11% entering employment. Beyond Oxbridge (where 3 places were secured from 15 applications in recent measurement), Russell Group universities feature prominently. The school ranks 411th in England for combined Oxbridge applications and acceptances (FindMySchool data), with 3 Cambridge acceptances from 8 applications, indicating genuine strength in access to top universities.

Key Stage 4 leavers progress primarily to the sixth form or local further education providers; the school welcomes external sixth-form applications as well. For those continuing locally, the pathway is seamless. The school provides informative and well-planned careers guidance; speakers on employment and apprenticeships visit regularly. Sixth-form students receive dedicated support and are exceptionally well prepared for higher education, training, and employment outcomes.

The school's enrichment programme is comprehensive and fully embedded. A student-led whole-school drama production is highly popular, providing opportunities for many students to get involved across technical, performance, and collaborative roles. In recent years, a production of Macbeth has drawn ticket demand so high the school marketed sales prominently. Music provision is substantial: one-third of students take instrumental music lessons, with Year 9 entirely participating in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award scheme. The Creative Arts enrichment pathway allows students to acquire new skills in music, engineering, and drama while making connections to their academic subjects.

Leadership roles are distributed widely. The school encourages pupils across all age ranges to take on leadership opportunities, fostering ownership and agency. Clubs and societies timetable includes a diverse array of named opportunities. Unifrog accounts allow all students to record interactions and completed activities, building a portfolio of personal development evidence. The wide range of popular clubs to choose from includes sports, music, language, and academic extension options. Place2Be and Place2Talk provide specialist counselling and art therapy services for students needing additional emotional support.

Sports provision is supported through physical education staffing (with dedicated Co-Heads of PE) and engagement with competitive fixtures. The school's proximity to the Thames and central London locations enables accessible outdoor learning. Educational outings — 45 per year — range from museum visits and theatre trips to community centres and geography field studies. This commitment to experiential learning shapes rounded development. The Oasis Waterloo Hub provides a unique resource; students volunteer and support community initiatives, gaining work experience and social responsibility alongside academic study. For many, this integration of learning with community service becomes defining.

Entry is through standard London local authority coordinated admissions. The school is non-selective, accepting pupils regardless of prior attainment or background. In recent admission rounds, the school operated with high demand: approximately 510 applications for 115 places at primary entry, indicating subscription of 4.43 times. The last distance offered was 1.032 miles in the measured year. Distances vary annually based on applicant distribution; proximity provides priority but does not guarantee a place.

Students are drawn from across London — as far as Islington and Croydon as well as local Waterloo families. There is no fixed catchment boundary; the school is genuinely accessible to any family applying through their local authority's coordinated scheme. Parents should list Oasis South Bank as one of at least four options in their application to ensure fair processing. The school emphasises inclusive admissions: all students are welcome regardless of starting point, need, or complexity.

The sixth form welcomes both internal progression and external entry at age 16. Entry requirements for sixth form are clearly communicated on the school website; students can apply externally and are assessed for suitability for their chosen subject pathways.

School hours run from 8:30am to 3:00pm daily. The extended school day incorporates compulsory enrichment activities and clubs, some running until later. Students finish lessons at 3:00pm; a range of clubs and extracurricular activities are then available. Before-school breakfast facilities support early arrivals. Parents should contact the school directly for information about any supervised drop-off or wrap-around care arrangements beyond the standard school day.

The location at 75 Westminster Bridge Road places the school next to Waterloo station and the South Bank cultural quarter, offering unparalleled access to museums, galleries, theatres, and river-based learning. The building itself sits in a vibrant urban environment. Parking is limited by London geography; the recommendation is public transport or walking routes via Westminster Bridge. The Northern line (Waterloo station) is immediately adjacent; buses serve the area extensively.

Safeguarding is effective and prioritised. Every day, students have a 30-minute Personal Development Time session with their House Coach, an adult who serves as their "in-school parent" and their first point of call for worries or concerns. Pastoral support systems include Heads of Year present at key points throughout the school day, Place2Be and Place2Talk specialist counselling services, and multiple routes for students to raise concerns safely. The school creates an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts pupils' interests first.

Pupils feel safe and know who to speak to about concerns. The school's emphasis on high expectations is coupled with warmth and clear boundaries set by adults passionately committed to improving young people's life chances. Staff across the academy — including those new to teaching — receive ongoing high-quality training. Professional development is prioritised; the academy spends significantly per teacher annually on staff development. Staff value the school's "three pillars of professional development" and work as a close-knit reflective team, making strong contributions to expertise and career progression. Staff feel valued and supported by leaders in managing their workload.

Mixed-ability teaching in Key Stage 3. The school deliberately keeps students in mixed attainment groups in Years 7-9, avoiding setting by prior achievement. The school demonstrates evidence that this supports inclusion and progress; however, families seeking strong setting or differentiation across separate pathways at secondary level should be aware of this pedagogical choice. Some families prefer mixed-ability teaching; others prefer earlier separation by ability.

Tight admissions in recent years. With over 4 applications for each place, securing entry to this popular school is not guaranteed. Families should ensure they list four or more schools on their application and consider whether the 1-mile distance from their home is feasible. Although the location is highly accessible by public transport, families in outer London boroughs should weigh commute time carefully.

Sixth form is still developing. While the main school is rated Outstanding across all areas, the sixth form is rated Good with ongoing curriculum development. For families considering A-level pathways, the school is improving but is not yet at the same demonstrable strength as the secondary phase. Internal progression rates are high, suggesting many students continue with confidence; external applicants should ask specific questions about their chosen subjects' delivery.

Oasis Academy South Bank is an academically strong, genuinely inclusive state secondary with an outstanding track record in GCSE attainment and progress. The school successfully combines high expectations with warm pastoral care, resulting in a culture where students flourish and behaviour is exemplary. Free school education of this calibre is rare. The inclusive ethos, mixed-ability teaching, and integration with the Oasis Waterloo Hub create a distinctive and coherent learning environment. Best suited to families seeking rigorous academics without selection, valuing breadth over narrow specialisation, and living within commutable distance of Waterloo. The main challenge is securing a place in a consistently oversubscribed school.