Trinity Academy, London Review 2026: Classical Ambition in the Heart of Brixton

Standing on Brixton Hill, Trinity Academy serves a diverse urban community with a curriculum that is unapologetically academic. Since joining the Future Academies trust in 2020, the school has undergone a significant transformation in its educational philosophy. It operates as a mixed secondary and post-16 institution with a capacity for 840 students. The school currently fosters a close-knit atmosphere where staff know students by name. Recent results highlight a developing secondary phase and a sixth form that is finding its stride, achieving performance in line with the middle 35% of schools in England.

The atmosphere at Trinity Academy is one of structured calm. The school occupies a striking modern building on Brixton Hill, characterized by clean lines and generous windows that look out over the South London skyline. Inside, the culture is defined by high expectations and a traditional approach to behavior. Students wear navy blazers, and the corridors are quiet during lesson times, reflecting a trust-wide commitment to a disruption-free learning environment.

Matthew Singh, who serves as Principal, leads a team focused on embedding a knowledge-rich curriculum. This means students spend significant time mastering core facts before moving to complex analysis. The school joined Future Academies in 2020, bringing shared resources and a common pedagogical approach used across the trust’s network. While the school is relatively young, having opened in 2014, it has established an identity centered on social mobility through academic excellence.

The academic picture at Trinity Academy is evolving. In the secondary phase, the school ranks 3044th in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking) and 15th among secondaries in Lambeth. This position sits in the national lower band, reflecting a period of transition as the newer curriculum settles in. The Average Attainment 8 score of 38.6 is currently below the England average, and a Progress 8 score of -0.18 suggests that students are making progress slightly below the national rate from their primary starting points.

However, the Sixth Form presents a strong trajectory. Ranked 1193rd in England and 8th in Lambeth for A-level outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), the performance sits in the national typical band. At A-level, 51% of students achieved A* to B grades, which is above the England average of 47.2%. This upward trend in the post-16 phase suggests that the school’s rigorous academic focus is bearing fruit at the higher stages of education.

Teaching at Trinity Academy follows the Future Academies model, which emphasizes teacher-led instruction and the systematic building of knowledge. In the classroom, this looks like carefully sequenced lessons where teachers guide students through challenging texts and mathematical proofs. The curriculum is heavily weighted toward the EBacc subjects: English, mathematics, the sciences, history, and languages.

The school places a premium on the classics and humanities. In the Sixth Form, subject offerings are designed to facilitate entry into top universities, with a focus on traditional A-levels like History, Politics, and Economics. Smaller class sizes in the Sixth Form allow for seminar-style discussions, which students report helps them prepare for higher education. Teachers have strong subject knowledge, and the school invests in trust-wide professional development to ensure quality remains consistent.

STEM: Innovation at Scale

While the curriculum is classically grounded, the sciences and mathematics occupy a central pillar. The modern science laboratories are well-equipped for practical work, and students are encouraged to pursue the Triple Science pathway at GCSE. The mathematics department uses a mastery approach, ensuring that students have a deep grasp of numerical concepts before progressing.

In the Sixth Form, STEM subjects are popular choices. The mathematics results are a particular point of pride, contributing to the strong A* to B profile of the college. Students interested in engineering or technology often participate in trust-wide STEM competitions, providing them with opportunities to apply their classroom learning to real-world problems alongside peers from other Future Academies schools.

For a relatively small sixth form, the university destinations are impressive. The 2024 leavers' data shows a clear pipeline to higher education, with 68% of students progressing to university. The academic rigour of the college is evidenced by its elite university pipeline; in the most recent measurement period, one student successfully secured a place at the University of Cambridge, a notable achievement for a school of this size.

Beyond the headline Oxbridge success, students have secured places at various Russell Group universities to study competitive subjects such as Law, Pharmacy, and Engineering. A small percentage of students (5%) enter direct employment, while the school continues to develop its advice for those seeking high-level apprenticeships.

Admissions for Year 7 are coordinated through the Lambeth Local Authority. As a non-selective state academy, Trinity serves a broad local intake. The school is currently oversubscribed for its primary entry route, with a subscription proportion of 1.95, meaning nearly two families apply for every available place. In the most recent intake, 170 applications were received for 87 offers.

For the Sixth Form, entry is open to both internal and external applicants. Requirements are typically based on GCSE performance, with specific grade thresholds for A-level subjects, usually a Grade 6 or higher in the chosen or related subject. Prospective parents can use the FindMySchool Map Search to view the geographic distribution of the current student body and check proximity to the Brixton Hill site.

Trinity Academy takes a highly disciplined approach to pastoral care, operating under the principle that a calm, orderly environment is the foundation of student wellbeing. The school uses a House System to create smaller communities within the larger school, ensuring that every student is known by a core group of staff.

The latest Ofsted report rated the school Good, with inspectors noting that behavior is a strength and students feel safe and well-supported. For those requiring additional help, the school has a dedicated SENCO and access to external support services, though the primary focus remains on inclusive, high-quality classroom instruction as the first port of call for all students.

Extracurricular life at Trinity is designed to complement the academic curriculum. The elective programme offers students the chance to engage in activities they might not otherwise encounter. Notable offerings include the Debating Society and the Latin Club, reflecting the school’s classical bent.

Sports facilities are modern, with a multi-use games area on site for football, netball, and basketball. The school also makes use of local Brixton facilities for swimming and athletics. Music is another growing pillar, with students encouraged to learn instruments and perform in the school choir or chamber ensembles. The school also participates in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, encouraging students to develop resilience.

The school day begins at 8:25 am and concludes at 3:15 pm for most students. Trinity is exceptionally well-connected by public transport; it is a short bus ride from Brixton Underground station (Victoria Line). Numerous bus routes, including the 45, 59, 118, and 159, stop almost directly outside the school gates on Brixton Hill. There is no on-site parking for parents, so walking or public transport is strongly encouraged for visits.

Fees & Financial Aid

As a state-funded academy, Trinity Academy London is free to attend for all students. There are no tuition fees for students aged 11 to 18. The school receives its funding directly from the government through the Future Academies trust. Families may need to cover costs for school uniforms, some optional extracurricular trips, and individual music lessons, though support is often available for students eligible for the Pupil Premium.

• Academic Intensity: The school’s classical curriculum is rigorous. Those who prefer a more vocational approach may find the focus on traditional subjects a challenge.
• Oversubscribed Entry: With nearly two applications for every place in the secondary phase, securing a spot in Year 6 can be competitive.
• Transitioning Results: While the Sixth Form results are strong, the GCSE metrics are currently below the England average, reflecting a school in the middle of a long-term improvement journey.
• Urban Site: Being on a busy Brixton thoroughfare, the school site is compact. While the building is modern, it lacks expansive playing fields, relying instead on high-quality indoor spaces.

Trinity Academy is a school for the ambitious. It will suit families in Lambeth who value a traditional, highly structured education. The school’s recent success in its Sixth Form and its Oxbridge acceptance indicate that the model is providing a pathway to the UK’s top universities. Best suited to students who are prepared to work hard within a disciplined environment to secure high-tier academic outcomes.