When Sydenham School opened its doors in 1917 with 398 pupils under the leadership of first headmistress Miss Edith Turner, it was named after the Sydenham area and established a school rooted in modern ideas for its time, including community service and parent involvement. More than a century later, the school has developed into a STEM institution with strengths in Science and Mathematics and an additional focus on Technology and Engineering , while remaining equally committed to the arts and humanities. Located on Dartmouth Road in Sydenham, London , the school today serves approximately 1,580 girls aged 11–18 across a comprehensive, inclusive school rooted in the heart of the local community.
Ofsted rated the school Good in September 2022 , and the school has benefited from a £24 million rebuild, including new STEM buildings . The school's motto, "Aim High," reflects its commitment to instilling the Sydenham Characteristics of ambition, determination and respect , with particular emphasis on preparing students for university and professional life. In 2024, the sixth form achieved 28% of A-level grades at A or A*, with 54% achieving B or better , positioning the school as a credible pathway for post-16 study.
Sydenham School traces its origins to 1912, when a new building was commissioned on Sydenham High Street (now Dartmouth Road) to merge two local County Secondary Schools, and it opened in 1917 with an initial roll of 398 pupils.
Under the leadership of its first headmistress Miss Edith Turner, a serious and academically ambitious school developed, with modern ideas for the time including excursions into community service and a Parent-Teacher Association.
The school was very successful, gradually reaching a roll of 500 students and having a notable record of university scholarships.
In the early 1950s, London County Council commissioned Basil Spence & Partners to design additional accommodation to increase capacity from 600 to 1,140 students and to merge with Shackleton School, resulting in a six-storey, E-shaped classroom block completed in 1956.
In 2003 Sydenham School was granted Specialist Science College status and in 2008 it was granted Specialist in Mathematics by the DfES.
Today, the school is described as a vibrant school community with a strong emphasis on the quality of relationships across the school, united by core values that include hard work (endeavour), creativity, open mindedness and kindness.
The curriculum is aligned to the school vision and aims which are underpinned by the High Performance Learning Philosophy.
Sydenham operates a joint Sixth Form with Forest Hill School, a boys' comprehensive school, under the name SFH6, with the partnership having been in place since the early 1970s.
The Friends of Sydenham School is a registered charity established in March 1993 to advance pupils' education, with around 160 members including former pupils and staff, who organise biennial reunions and have contributed over £20,000 in donations to the school.
The school's diversity reflects its Lewisham location. The student body includes 1,445 pupils, with 20% of students for whom English is not their first language, and 12% with SEN support.
Every student is offered the Sydenham Entitlement: participation in a performance, a residential trip, visits to theatre, art gallery and a museum, and playing sport.
Sydenham School achieved an Attainment 8 score of 49.7 at GCSE , placing it in the typical national range. 48% of students achieved grade 5 or above in Maths and English, while 62% achieved 5 or more GCSEs at grade 9-4 (A-C). Comparing to national averages, the school's Attainment 8 score of 49.7 is in line with the England average, and Progress 8 stands at +0.1, indicating that students make progress broadly in line with peers of similar starting ability. In 2003 the school was granted Specialist Science College status, which was later updated to Specialist Mathematics in 2008.
The school is a STEM school with strengths in Science and Mathematics, as well as Technology and Engineering , and equally committed to the Arts, Humanities and Languages, providing a curriculum which is broad, exciting and challenges students across the full range of national expectations. According to FindMySchool data, Sydenham School ranks 1,279th in England in GCSE performance (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the middle 35% of schools in England Locally within Lewisham, it ranks 8th.
At A Level in 2024, 28% of SFH6 students received A or A* grades, with 54% achieving a grade B or better.
BTEC courses also saw impressive results, with 90% graded at Merit, Distinction, or Distinction*.
According to FindMySchool data, the sixth form ranks 722nd in England (FindMySchool ranking), and 4th locally in Lewisham. This places the sixth form in the middle 35% of schools in England in England, though with solid local standing.
SFH6 has continued the trend of a significant number of students securing places at top Russell Group universities and other prestigious institutions , including recent acceptances at leading institutions beyond Oxbridge. During the most recent tracking period, the school recorded 8 applications to Oxbridge with 1 offer from Cambridge and 1 acceptance.
England ranks and key metrics (where available)
A-Level A*-B
56.41%
% of students achieving grades A*-B
GCSE 9–7
28%
% of students achieving grades 9-7
The curriculum is aligned to the school vision and aims underpinned by the High Performance Learning Philosophy, with every classroom expected to be an "Ambitious Classroom," spanning and going beyond the requirements of the national curriculum.
Lessons in STEM subjects are taught with enthusiasm by teachers who delve into a deeper understanding of the material to meet the national curriculum and beyond, with high standards and an expectation that students are ready to learn and work with perseverance.
When explaining new concepts, teachers use modelling and collaborative learning opportunities, with the department making use of the expertise of technicians to deliver engaging practical work.
The school places emphasis on thriving Dance, Drama, Music and PE departments as part of its commitment to nurturing creativity.
Research shows that involvement in the arts is associated with gains in mathematics, reading, cognitive ability, critical thinking, and verbal skill, and can improve motivation, concentration, confidence, and teamwork.
As an inclusive school teaching in mixed attainment groups across Key Stage 3 and most of Key Stage 4, extra support is provided for pupils that need it.
Local and national partnerships with SSAT, Best Practice Network, Royal Academy of Arts, Lawn Tennis Association and the Rugby Football Union expose students and staff to best practices.
Quality of Education
N/A
Behaviour & Attitudes
N/A
Personal Development
N/A
Leadership & Management
Outstanding
In the 2023–24 cohort, 65% of leavers progressed to university, 4% to further education, 1% to apprenticeships, and 13% to employment. This indicates a strong university pipeline, reflecting the school's emphasis on post-16 progression. SFH6 continues to place students at top Russell Group universities and prestigious institutions , signalling that the sixth form serves as an effective launchpad for higher education entry.
Total Offers
1
Offer Success Rate: 12.5%
Cambridge
1
Offers
Oxford
0
Offers
The school places significant emphasis on enrichment and co-curricular activities. Students can participate in clubs ranging from the Duke of Edinburgh Award to Astronomy Club to Battle of the Bands.
Every student is offered the Sydenham Entitlement: participation in a performance, a residential trip, visits to theatre, art gallery and a museum, and playing sport.
The school has thriving Dance, Drama, Music and PE departments , with music playing a central role in student life. Specialist studios support performance, and the school regularly hosts events such as Winter Concert and Battle of the Bands.
The school's facilities include fully equipped dance, drama and music studios , used by both the school and external performing arts organisations, indicating the quality of provision.
The school features well-equipped Sports Facilities encompassing a sports hall and fields for football, hockey, and more, promoting physical fitness and teamwork.
The school nurtures leadership skills by providing platforms like the School Council, Sports Leaders, Debate Mate and Student Leadership roles for active community/global citizenship. Students have the opportunity to participate in clubs, trips, sports and programs such as the Duke of Edinburgh's Award, which build excitement, engagement, confidence, friendships and enable risk-taking and learning to overcome challenges.
As a STEM school with strengths in Science and Mathematics and an additional focus on Technology and Engineering , the curriculum integrates practical problem-solving. The £24 million rebuild included new STEM buildings , positioning the school well for specialist science and technology education. The well-resourced science department makes use of technicians to deliver engaging practical work, and students are encouraged to ask questions and postulate ideas, developing investigative and problem-solving skills.
The school offers extensive extracurricular opportunities that enrich students' experiences and unlock their potential through clubs, trips, sports and programs such as the Duke of Edinburgh's Award, building excitement, engagement, confidence, friendships and enabling risk-taking. Named clubs include the Duke of Edinburgh Award, Astronomy Club, and Battle of the Bands , as well as Debate Mate and Student Leadership roles . The school offers an exceptional range of clubs, trips and activities , positioning itself as an active community hub.
The school has benefited from a £24 million rebuild, including new STEM buildings , representing a substantial recent investment in infrastructure. The original building received its official opening ceremony on 28 February 1957 , after the iconic Basil Spence redesign. Forest Hill Pools and Forest Hill library are next door to the school. The location in south London provides good access to green spaces and community resources, supporting both learning and wellbeing.
Sydenham School operates as a non-selective, comprehensive state school, meaning entry is based on distance from home to school rather than academic ability or entrance exam. In 2024, the last distance offered for primary phase entry was 1.351 miles, indicating a tight, highly competitive catchment area. Distances vary annually based on applicant distribution; proximity provides priority but does not guarantee a place.
Primary phase admissions show the school is oversubscribed at approximately 2.96 times, with 684 applications for 231 offers. This oversubscription reflects the school's popularity within the local community.
Supplementary information forms are not required when applying for this school. Parents should apply through their local authority (Lewisham) using standard secondary admissions procedures.
Applications
684
Total received
Places Offered
231
Subscription Rate
3.0x
Apps per place
Sydenham School boasts several accomplished alumni. Katie Brayben is an Olivier Award Winner (2015 and 2023) for Best Actress in a Musical, Sarah Jane Crawford is a television and radio presenter, and Tasha Danvers is a 400-metre hurdler who won bronze in the Beijing 2008 Olympics.
The school also counts among its alumni Mia Goth (actress), Eva Crane (researcher into bees), Linda Ludgrove (swimmer), and Elsie Widdowson (dietitian).
The Friends of Sydenham School, established in 1993, maintains these historical connections through an alumni network of around 160 members, including former pupils and staff.
SFH6 is the joint Sixth Form of Sydenham and Forest Hill, two successful and popular schools working together in post-16 education since the early 1970s.
It is described as a dynamic and forward-looking sixth form with very high standards, offering A Levels and vocational courses to suit a wide range of interests, talents and aspirations.
The thriving SFH6 sixth form offers an extensive range of A Levels and vocational Level 3 courses.
SFH6 maintains active debate programmes, with year 12 and 13 debate teams competing in England, and students participating in programmes such as Debate Mate and visits to Oxbridge colleges.
This is a state school with no tuition fees. Education is funded by the government, meaning there are no tuition charges to parents. However, parents may encounter costs for school uniform, trips, optional music lessons, and other enrichment activities. Free school meals may be available to eligible families.
The school emphasises supportive pastoral structures. Every student benefits from the Sydenham Entitlement, which includes participating in a performance, attending a residential trip, and visiting theatre, art gallery, and museum facilities.
Extracurricular opportunities are designed to build excitement, engagement, confidence, friendships, and enable risk-taking and learning to overcome challenges.
The school operates as an inclusive establishment where it is proud of the results of all students and believes that every student can achieve highly regardless of their starting points.
Oversubscription: The school is highly oversubscribed (approximately 2.96x), meaning entry depends on living close to the school. Families outside the immediate catchment area may not gain a place.
Attainment on Entry: The school serves a diverse intake with students arriving from varied educational backgrounds. The focus on inclusive teaching means mixed attainment grouping is standard.
Ofsted Rating: The school was last rated Good in June 2022. Since September 2024, Ofsted has not issued overall effectiveness grades for state-funded schools, so future inspection reports will use a different framework.
Progress 8 Score: The school's Progress 8 score of +0.1 indicates students make progress broadly in line with similar peers in England, neither significantly above nor below. Parents seeking schools with standout progress gains should compare this metric carefully.
Sixth Form Entry: Entry to SFH6 is based on GCSE results and requires meeting course entry requirements, which vary by subject. The sixth form is shared with Forest Hill School (a boys' school), creating a co-educational post-16 environment.
Sydenham School represents a well-established, inclusive girls' comprehensive with a proud 100+ year heritage and recent significant investment in facilities. The £24 million rebuild demonstrates local authority confidence in the school's direction, and STEM specialism positions it well for modern curriculum delivery. Strong pastoral care, the Sydenham Entitlement (guaranteeing all students experience performance, trips, and cultural visits), and active enrichment provision create a rounded educational experience. GCSE results are broadly in line with national averages, and the sixth form's A-level outcomes (28% A/A*, 54% B or better) suggest a credible pathway to Russell Group universities.
The school's greatest appeal lies in its community role: it serves local girls with genuine care, maintains low staff-to-student ratios (17:1), and has built strong partnerships with local organisations including the Royal Academy of Arts and rugby/tennis bodies. For families seeking a non-selective, inclusive girls' school with strong creative and STEM provision, supportive pastoral care, and a genuine commitment to raising aspirations in a diverse community, Sydenham School merits serious consideration.
However, parents seeking schools with elite academic metrics or significantly above-average progress measures should explore other options; Sydenham pitches itself as a community hub with high standards, not a selective academic powerhouse. Entry is also highly competitive due to oversubscription, so families must live within the published catchment area.
Sydenham School was rated Good by Ofsted in June 2022, reflecting positive teaching, learning, and pastoral provision. The school's GCSE Attainment 8 score (49.7) is in line with national averages, and A-level results from the sixth form (28% A/A*, 54% B or above) are respectable. The school is well-regarded locally and oversubscribed, indicating strong community confidence. However, it positions itself as an inclusive community school rather than a selective academic powerhouse; families seeking elite performance metrics may wish to consider alternatives.
Application for Year 7 entry is handled through your local authority's coordinated admissions scheme (in this case, Lewisham Council). The closing deadline is typically October of Year 6. Decisions are published in March of Year 7. No entrance exam or supplementary forms are required; places are allocated primarily by distance from home to school. High oversubscription (approximately 3:1) means many applicants do not secure a place, so you should include other nearby schools on your preference list. Visit for detailed guidance.
The school's key strengths include: (1) recent significant investment (£24m rebuild with new STEM buildings); (2) inclusive, supportive pastoral care with the Sydenham Entitlement (all students participate in performance, residential trips, and cultural visits); (3) STEM specialism with dedicated facilities and technical expertise; (4) diverse, multi-cultural community reflecting Sydenham's demographics; (5) active enrichment through clubs, sport, music, and drama; (6) strong sixth form partnership (SFH6) with proven Russell Group university placements; (7) experienced leadership and staff committed to the Aim High motto.
SFH6 (the joint sixth form of Sydenham and Forest Hill) achieved strong results in 2024: 28% of students received A or A* at A Level, and 54% achieved B or better. BTEC courses achieved 90% at Merit or Distinction level. The sixth form is well-regarded locally, ranks 4th in Lewisham, and regularly places students at Russell Group universities including Oxford and Cambridge. It offers both A Levels and vocational qualifications across a broad range of subjects. The partnership with Forest Hill (a boys' school) creates a co-educational post-16 environment.
The school provides an extensive range of clubs and enrichment activities, including the Duke of Edinburgh Award, Astronomy Club, Battle of the Bands, Debate Mate, School Council, Sports Leaders, and Student Leadership roles. The curriculum emphasises music, drama, and dance as core strengths. Every student receives the Sydenham Entitlement: participation in a performance, a residential trip, visits to theatre/art gallery/museum, and participation in sport. Additional enrichment depends on individual interests and availability of clubs.
The school offers a sports hall and outdoor fields for football, hockey, and other sports. Facilities benefit from the broader site infrastructure, with Forest Hill Pools located adjacent to the school. The school emphasises inclusive sport and leadership development through Sports Leaders roles. Specific competitive teams and fixtures are offered in core sports, though detailed fixture lists are best obtained directly from the school's sports department. The school partners with organisations including the Lawn Tennis Association and Rugby Football Union.
Sydenham School is highly oversubscribed at approximately 2.96:1 (approximately 684 applications for 231 places at primary entry). In 2024, the last distance offered for admission was 1.351 miles, indicating a tight, geographically limited catchment. Distances vary annually based on applicant distribution; proximity provides priority but does not guarantee a place. Distance from home to school is the primary admissions criterion. Families outside the published distance may not gain a place. Interested families should check Lewisham Council's website for the current year's catchment details and apply early.
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