The Norwood School Review 2026: Specialist Performing and Visual Arts College in South London

The Norwood School is a specialist Performing and Visual Arts College in South Norwood, serving 1,069 boys and girls aged 11 to 19. Since September 2005, the school has held specialist status in areas where it has maintained a tradition from its earliest days, reflected in state-of-the-art facilities including a professional theatre with adjustable seating, two purpose-built mirrored dance studios, a recording studio, and multiple arts spaces. Led by Co-Headteachers Niki Clemenger and Richard Cole, the school has been rated Good by Ofsted across all areas in its most recent inspection. With a motto of "Creating Success Together", the school's six core values of Resilience, Inclusivity, Creativity, Curiosity, Kindness and Integrity underpin an ambitious vision for its diverse inner London community.

The Norwood School was originally established in 1958 as Norwood School for Girls by the London County Council, housed in a Victorian building on Gipsy Road in West Norwood. From 1971, the school expanded to a new Upper School building on Crown Dale, opposite Norwood Park, which now serves as the main campus. A significant transformation occurred in September 2007 when the school began admitting boys, becoming a fully co-educational community school in response to the needs and demands of Lambeth parents.

The school describes itself as a child-centred community where children are able to "Be, Belong and Become", placing positive relationships, exciting opportunities and an engaging curriculum at its heart. As an inner London community school, The Norwood School strives to engage and reflect its diverse intake through educational provision designed to remove all barriers to personal, social and academic growth. The quality of pastoral and specialist care, alongside the school's caring and inclusive ethos, are recognised locally and highly valued by parents and students.

Personal development is integral to the school's philosophy. A comprehensive personal development programme runs from Year 7 through Year 13, covering topics pertinent to life in modern Britain through health education, creative arts engagement, and various other educational initiatives. The school encourages pupils to embrace their individuality and provides a supportive environment where students can thrive academically and personally.

The Norwood School delivers solid academic outcomes in line with national averages. At GCSE, the school achieved an Attainment 8 score of 48.5, just above the national average, and a Progress 8 score of 0.03, indicating pupils make expected progress from their starting points. Around 15% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths as part of the English Baccalaureate, with an average EBacc APS of 4.19, slightly above the national figure of 4.08.

The sixth form is consistently strong, rated Good by Ofsted with particular strengths in pupil progress and destinations. A-level students achieved 5.8% A* grades, 13.3% A grades, and 33.3% B grades, with just over half of all grades at A*-B (52.5%). While this is slightly below the national average of 47.2% for A*-B, the sixth form benefits from excellent progress measures that enable students to move forward successfully.

As a specialist Performing and Visual Arts School, all younger students receive weekly lessons in art, dance, drama and music, taught by specialist teachers. The school selects 10% of its Year 7 intake based on arts aptitude through auditions, workshops and interviews, developing a lifelong passion for the arts and nurturing the next generation of artists, dancers, actors, designers, musicians and journalists.

Teachers receive training to understand pupils' barriers to learning and adapt their teaching based on regular learning checks. Ofsted noted that pupils are supported well in their learning, with positive behaviour and attitudes. Bullying is rare and swiftly dealt with when it occurs. Leaders have built an environment that encourages individuality and ambition, with the school working hard to support all pupils, including those with special educational needs and disadvantaged students.

The Norwood School has benefited from an extensive building programme that has equipped it with some of the finest arts facilities in Lambeth. The centrepiece is a state-of-the-art theatre with fully adjustable seating, a professional lighting and sound rig, and a technical operating room. Students also have access to new drama and dance studios, a professional recording studio, a fully equipped music technology classroom, and multiple practice and rehearsal rooms. The school is one of the only schools in Lambeth to have two purpose-built mirrored dance studios.

Beyond the performing arts, the school offers a comprehensive range of visual arts facilities and a broad extracurricular programme designed to foster personal development and a passion for the arts. The 900-capacity campus sits on Crown Dale, opposite Norwood Park, providing green space proximity in an urban setting.

The school maintains a student-teacher ratio of approximately 15:1, ensuring that pupils receive appropriate support across their educational journey. With nearly equal numbers of boys (49.3%) and girls (50.7%), the school operates at 96% of its total capacity, reflecting its popularity and oversubscribed status.

The Norwood School has a developing track record of supporting the most ambitious students towards highly selective universities. In the most recent data, 1 student secured a place at Cambridge following 2 applications. While modest in absolute numbers, this represents a Cambridge acceptance rate of 100% among those who received offers. The school is ranked 475th nationally for combined Oxbridge destinations and 364th specifically for Cambridge.

For sixth formers, the school's strong progress measures and personalised approach to learning ensure that destinations at 18 are appropriate for students' attainment levels. The school's ethos of removing barriers to personal and academic growth extends to university guidance, with staff working to ensure that every student can pursue their chosen pathway beyond school.

The Norwood School is a community school maintained by Lambeth local authority and is heavily oversubscribed. The most recent admissions data shows that the school received 852 applications for 166 Year 7 places, a subscription ratio of over 5:1. This makes entry highly competitive, with demand significantly outstripping supply. The furthest distance offered in the most recent round was 2.06 miles, indicating a relatively tight catchment area for a London comprehensive.

Applications are coordinated by Lambeth Council through the standard local authority admissions process, with places offered based on proximity to the school. The school admits 10% of its Year 7 intake through an arts aptitude route, selected via audition, workshop and interview, providing a pathway for students with particular talent or interest in the performing and visual arts.

Parents should note that living close to the school is essential for securing a place through the standard route, and even families within the typical catchment area may not be guaranteed entry given the level of demand. The school's oversubscribed status and strong local reputation mean that families should plan early, consider all available options, and ensure they list other realistic preferences on their application form.

Prospective families are encouraged to check the school's website at for up-to-date admissions information and to consult Lambeth Council's admissions policy for full details of how places are allocated.

The Norwood School is a thriving community comprehensive with a clear specialism and strong sense of identity. For families seeking a school that combines inclusive values with a genuine passion for the performing and visual arts, this is a compelling local option. The facilities are outstanding, the ethos is warm and supportive, and the academic outcomes are in line with what you would expect given the school's non-selective intake and inner London context.

The school's greatest strength lies in its specialist arts provision and the opportunities it creates for students to explore creativity across dance, drama, music and visual arts. The state-of-the-art theatre, recording studio, and twin dance studios are genuinely exceptional resources, and the school uses them well to develop students' talents and confidence. The arts aptitude admissions route provides a valuable pathway for families whose children have a particular flair or interest in these areas.

Academically, the school delivers steady, reliable results with strong progress measures, particularly in the sixth form. While not a high-flyer in terms of raw attainment, the school ensures that pupils make good progress from their starting points, and the supportive, inclusive environment means that students of all abilities are well catered for. The co-headship model under Niki Clemenger and Richard Cole appears to provide stable, thoughtful leadership, and the Ofsted Good rating reflects consistently strong practice across all areas.

Admissions are the main challenge. With over five applicants for every place, families need to be realistic about their chances unless they live very close to the school. The 2.06-mile furthest distance offered is tight for London, and proximity is key. For those who do secure a place, particularly through the arts aptitude route, this is a school that will nurture individuality, ambition and creativity in equal measure.

Is The Norwood School a good school?

Yes, The Norwood School is rated Good by Ofsted across all areas, including quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and sixth form provision. The school achieves solid academic results in line with national averages, with a Progress 8 score of 0.03 and an Attainment 8 score of 48.5. The sixth form is a particular strength, with excellent progress measures. The school's specialist Performing and Visual Arts status is reflected in outstanding facilities and a strong commitment to creative education.

How do I apply to The Norwood School?

Applications to The Norwood School are made through Lambeth Council's coordinated admissions process. Parents should complete the Common Application Form (CAF) available through the Lambeth website, listing The Norwood School as one of their preferences. The school admits 10% of its Year 7 intake based on arts aptitude through auditions, workshops and interviews; families interested in this route should contact the school directly for details. The standard admissions process prioritises proximity to the school, and given the high level of oversubscription (over 5:1), living close to the school is essential for a realistic chance of securing a place.

What are the school's core values?

The Norwood School's six core values are Resilience, Inclusivity, Creativity, Curiosity, Kindness and Integrity. The school's motto is "Creating Success Together", and the ethos is built around enabling children to "Be, Belong and Become". These values underpin a child-centred community that places positive relationships, exciting opportunities and an engaging curriculum at its heart, with a strong commitment to removing barriers to personal, social and academic growth for all pupils.

What makes The Norwood School unique?

The Norwood School's specialist status as a Performing and Visual Arts College sets it apart. The school has exceptional facilities including a professional theatre with adjustable seating and full lighting and sound systems, two purpose-built mirrored dance studios (one of the only schools in Lambeth with this provision), a professional recording studio, and a suite of music and visual arts spaces. All younger students receive weekly specialist teaching in art, dance, drama and music, and 10% of the Year 7 intake is selected based on arts aptitude, creating a vibrant, creative community for students with a passion for the arts.