Music beats at the heart of Saint Gabriel's College. Situated in Stockwell, this small, co-educational Church of England secondary school offers a distinct alternative to the larger comprehensive machines of South London. With just over 600 students, it feels personal. The school serves a diverse local community and operates under a powerful ethos of "Education for Social Justice". While academic attainment sits in the national middle ground, the value-added is clear: students make progress here that exceeds the England average.
The first thing visitors notice is often the sound. As a school with a deep commitment to the arts, Saint Gabriel's places music at the centre of its identity. Every student in Year 7 is offered the opportunity to learn an instrument or singing free of charge, creating a culture where carrying a musical instrument is as normal as carrying a PE kit.
Ms Josephine Okokon leads the school as Principal. Her vision for an inclusive, faith-based education is woven into the daily routine. The school occupies a modern building, opened in 2012, which includes specialist performing arts studios and a dedicated chapel.
The atmosphere is described by inspectors as calm and orderly. The Christian ethos—focused on service, generosity, and excellence—is inclusive rather than exclusive. It welcomes students of all faiths and none, using its Church of England foundation to drive a commitment to social mobility rather than religious dogma.
In 2024, the school's results reflect a focus on progress. The Progress 8 score of +0.2 indicates that students achieve about a fifth of a grade higher across their subjects than similar students nationally. This positive value-added measure is a crucial indicator of teaching quality.
In terms of raw attainment, the average Attainment 8 score was 43.1. Ranked 2349th in England and 11th in Lambeth for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), performance sits in line with the middle 35% of schools in England (national typical band).
While the percentage of students achieving Grade 5 or above in English and Maths (13.9% in the EBacc metric) presents a mixed picture, the progress data suggests that the school is effective at lifting students from their starting points.
England ranks and key metrics (where available)
GCSE 9–7
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% of students achieving grades 9-7
The curriculum is broad but retains a traditional core. Teaching is structured and supportive, with inspectors noting that teachers know their students well—a benefit of the school's smaller size.
Music is the standout feature of the curriculum. The school's instrumental programme ensures that the arts are not sidelined; instead, they are used to build discipline and confidence that transfer to the classroom. Lessons are taught in small groups or one-to-one by peripatetic teachers.
Beyond the arts, the school emphasises core literacy. With a high proportion of students speaking English as an additional language, there is a relentless focus on reading and vocabulary across all subjects.
Quality of Education
N/A
Behaviour & Attitudes
N/A
Personal Development
N/A
Leadership & Management
Good
Being a smaller school allows for a "family" feel that can be lost in larger academies. The pastoral system is organised around year groups, with Heads of Year tracking both academic and emotional progress.
The Christian character informs the pastoral approach. "Bridge to Success" provisions support students who need help managing their behaviour or emotions, rather than relying solely on exclusion. The latest Ofsted report highlights that students feel safe and that bullying is rare and dealt with effectively.
Extracurricular life is dominated by the arts, but sport and leadership are also visible.
The headline act. The school orchestra, choir, and various ensembles (concert band, jazz band, steel pans) perform regularly.
Facilities include a sports hall and outdoor courts. Competitive fixtures run in football, basketball, and netball against other Lambeth schools.
The "Gabriel's Angels" student leadership team plays an active role in school life, organising charity events and mentoring younger students.
Admission to Saint Gabriel's College is coordinated by the London Borough of Lambeth. The school is a popular choice; for the most recent intake, there were 256 applications for 115 places, resulting in a subscription ratio of 2.2 applications per place.
As a Church of England school, the admissions policy includes Foundation (faith-based) and Open places. Up to 50% of places are designated as Foundation places for regular churchgoers, while the remainder are Open places allocated by distance. Families applying for a Foundation place must complete a Supplementary Information Form (SIF) signed by their priest or minister.
For Open places, priority is given to looked-after children and siblings, followed by distance from the school.
Applications
256
Total received
Places Offered
115
Subscription Rate
2.2x
Apps per place
Saint Gabriel's is an 11-16 school, meaning there is no Sixth Form on site. This requires students to move on after GCSEs.
The school has strong partnerships with local providers to ensure smooth transitions. Students typically progress to nearby high-performing sixth forms and colleges, including King's College London Mathematics School, St Francis Xavier Sixth Form College, and other Lambeth secondary schools with sixth form provision. The careers department works intensively with Year 11 to secure these placements.
The school day begins at 8:30am and finishes at 3:00pm, though enrichment activities often extend this. The school is located on Langton Road, a short walk from Oval and Stockwell tube stations, making it highly accessible via the Northern and Victoria lines.
Saint Gabriel's College proves that a school doesn't need to be massive to be effective. It offers a distinct, nurturing environment where the Christian ethos and musical excellence create a genuine community. The positive Progress 8 score confirms that students achieve well here, regardless of their starting point. Best suited to families in North Lambeth who value a smaller, supportive school environment and want their child to have access to exceptional musical opportunities.
Yes. The school was rated Good by Ofsted in its most recent inspection (April 2024). Inspectors praised the calm environment and the high expectations staff have for students. The school achieves a positive Progress 8 score, meaning students make better-than-average progress from primary school to GCSE.
For Open places (non-faith), the school allocates seats based on straight-line distance from the school gate. While there is no fixed "catchment boundary," the popularity of the school means that living closer provides a higher chance of admission. In 2024, the school was oversubscribed with more than 2 applicants for every place.
No. Saint Gabriel's welcomes students of all faiths and no faith. However, up to 50% of places are prioritised for children from practising Christian families. The remaining 50% are Open places, allocated primarily on distance without reference to religion.
No, the school caters for students aged 11-16 only. After Year 11, students transfer to local sixth form colleges or other school sixth forms. The school provides dedicated support to help students secure these post-16 places.
Every Year 7 student is offered the opportunity to learn singing or a musical instrument free of charge. Tuition is provided in small groups or one-to-one. The school also offers Music Scholarships for students with high musical ability.
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