Addey and Stanhope School Review 2026: Historic Roots and Community Heart

Located on the busy New Cross Road in South East London, Addey and Stanhope School is one of the oldest educational institutions in the capital, with roots stretching back to 1715. Today, it serves as a co-educational state secondary for students aged 11 to 16. With a capacity for 600 students, it maintains a smaller, more intimate feel than many sprawling London secondaries. This manageable scale is central to its identity, allowing for a community atmosphere where students are known individually by staff.

The school occupies a site that blends its historic 18th century foundation with the urban energy of New Cross. While it does not have its own sixth form, it maintains strong ties with local post-16 providers. The most recent official assessments confirm that the school remains Good, characterized by a stable leadership team and a clear commitment to the wellbeing of its diverse student body.

The atmosphere at Addey and Stanhope is defined by its deep historical connection to the local area. The school's motto, A Deo et Rege (From God and the King), reflects its long standing heritage. Despite its historic origins, the school feels modern and inclusive, reflecting the multicultural vibrancy of Lewisham.

The current head teacher, Ms Jan Shapiro, has led the school since 2015, providing a steady hand and a clear vision for the school's role as a community anchor. This longevity in leadership has helped build strong relationships with local families, many of whom have sent multiple generations to the school. The school is known for being a welcoming environment where students from various backgrounds feel they belong.

The physical environment is compact but well utilized. Recent investments through various building programmes have provided modern administration offices, a dining hall, and a sports hall, ensuring that the historic site remains fit for a 21st century curriculum. Students often describe the school as feeling like a large family, where the smaller year groups allow for closer social bonds and more direct access to teachers.

In 2024, students at Addey and Stanhope achieved an average Attainment 8 score of 37.9. This metric, which measures performance across eight subjects including English and mathematics, is a key indicator of the broad academic range the school supports. The school ranks 3,431st in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking) and holds the 11th position among secondary schools in Lewisham.

This performance reflects a solid standard of achievement, sitting within the tier of schools that serve a wide range of abilities and starting points. The Progress 8 score of -0.38 indicates that while many students are hitting their targets, there is a continued focus on closing gaps for specific cohorts. In 2024, 2.7% of pupils achieved grades 5 or above in the English Baccalaureate (EBacc), reflecting a curriculum that prioritizes flexibility and vocational pathways alongside traditional academic subjects.

Teaching at Addey and Stanhope is organized to support a broad and balanced curriculum that meets the needs of its diverse intake. In the lower years (Key Stage 3), students follow a wide ranging programme that includes core sciences, humanities, and creative arts. The school places a high priority on literacy and numeracy, recognizing these as the foundations for success across all subjects.

As students move into Key Stage 4, the school offers a mix of traditional GCSEs and vocational qualifications. This dual approach ensures that students can tailor their learning to their future career aspirations. Teachers are noted for their subject expertise and their ability to engage students who may have found learning challenging in the past.

The school also features specialized provision for students with additional needs, including a speech and language resource base known as LEXIS. This inclusive approach is a hallmark of the school's teaching philosophy, ensuring that every student has access to a curriculum that is both challenging and achievable.

Where Students Go Next

As a school that concludes at Year 11, the transition to post-16 education is a critical focus. Addey and Stanhope works closely with a range of local providers, including various sixth form colleges in Lewisham and neighboring boroughs, to ensure students have clear pathways after their GCSEs.

The school provides robust careers advice and guidance from Year 7 onwards, and its careers and pathways education is recognized as a significant strength. Students participate in work experience placements and attend taster days at local colleges and universities. Because the school does not have its own sixth form, there is a neutral and broad minded approach to post-16 options, whether students are aiming for A-levels, T-levels, or apprenticeships.

Addey and Stanhope is a popular choice within Lewisham, and the admissions process is coordinated by the local authority. In the most recent intake period, the school was significantly oversubscribed. There were 422 applications for just 109 offers, resulting in a subscription proportion of 3.87 applications for every available place.

The last distance offered for a place at the school was 1.188 miles in 2024. Distances vary annually based on applicant distribution; proximity provides priority but does not guarantee a place. Parents should use the FindMySchool Map Search to check their precise distance from the school gates compared to these historical trends. Applications for September 2026 entry close on 31 October 2025.

Pastoral care is one of the school's most significant strengths. Given its smaller size, the pastoral team is able to maintain a very close watch on student wellbeing. Each year group has a dedicated head of year and a team of tutors who see the students daily.

The school operates a clear and consistent behaviour policy that emphasizes respect and responsibility. External reviews confirm that students feel safe and supported, with clear systems in place to deal with any instances of bullying or social conflict. The school also provides access to counseling services and a range of mentoring programmes, often delivered in partnership with local community organizations.

The extracurricular life at Addey and Stanhope is designed to broaden horizons and build confidence. The school offers a variety of clubs that reflect the interests of the students, from specialized subject societies to creative arts.

Sport is a major part of the school's identity, with regular greenhouse sports coaching available for students. The school competes regularly in Lewisham borough competitions. In the arts, students have access to a local centre for the performing arts, and there are various musical performances that allow students to showcase their creative skills. The school also makes excellent use of its London location, with regular trips to museums, galleries, and theatres.

The school day typically begins at 8:40am and concludes at 3:10pm. New Cross Gate and New Cross stations are both within a five-minute walk, providing excellent rail and Overground links to the rest of London. Several major bus routes also stop directly outside the school.

While the school does not offer a formal breakfast club for all, the canteen is open before school for students to gather. After school enrichment activities typically run until late afternoon. Parents should note that the school is located in a busy urban area, and while there is no on site parking for visitors, transport links are exceptional.

• Fierce Competition for Places: With nearly four applications for every place offered, securing a spot at Addey and Stanhope is a significant hurdle. Families living beyond the one mile mark may find it difficult to gain entry without meeting other criteria such as sibling priority. Distances vary annually based on applicant distribution; proximity provides priority but does not guarantee a place.
• No On Site Sixth Form: Students must transition to a new environment at age 16. While this builds independence and the school provides excellent support for the move, families seeking an all through 11 to 18 experience will need to look elsewhere.
• Urban Setting: The school is situated on a major road in a densely populated part of London. While the site is secure and well managed, it lacks the expansive green playing fields found in more suburban secondaries.
• Academic Profile: The results reflect a genuinely comprehensive intake. Families seeking an academic environment with consistently high EBacc achievement may find the school's focus on broad inclusivity and vocational pathways a different speed than highly selective alternatives.

Addey and Stanhope is a school that successfully balances its prestigious history with a modern, inclusive approach to education. It is best suited to local families who value a smaller school environment where pastoral care is a priority and where students are supported as individuals. The school suits those who want a community focused education in the heart of South East London. The primary challenge remains the high level of demand for its limited number of places.