Richmond Park Academy Review 2026: Ambition in East Sheen

Situated just moments from the expansive greenery of Richmond Park, Richmond Park Academy (RPA) has transformed over the last decade from a local comprehensive into a first-choice school for many in East Sheen and Mortlake. Part of Lift Schools (formerly Academies Enterprise Trust), the school combines the resources of a large national network with a distinct local identity. The 2023 Ofsted inspection reaffirmed its Good status, noting a culture where pupils are happy and safe. With GCSE results now sitting comfortably in the top 15% of schools in England, the academy offers a compelling mix of academic rigour and community focus.

The campus presents a blend of the functional and the modern. While the architecture is typical of mid-century London schools, significant investment has added contemporary learning spaces that feel bright and purposeful. The atmosphere at drop-off is energetic but orderly; students move with a sense of direction that reflects the school's "warm strict" approach to behaviour and expectations.

Mr James Whelan leads the school, continuing the trajectory of high aspirations established in recent years. His leadership focuses on maintaining the "Remarkable Lives" ethos, a phrase that appears frequently in assemblies and newsletters, signalling an intent to look beyond mere exam passes.

The student body is genuinely diverse, reflecting the broader London mix rather than just the immediate affluent enclave of East Sheen. This social cohesion is a point of pride; the school feels inclusive and grounded. There is no sense of entitlement here, but rather a collective effort to succeed. The integration of the Sixth Form into the main site adds to the sense of a complete journey from Year 7 to adulthood, with older students visible as role models across the campus.

Academic performance at GCSE is a clear strength. In 2024, the school achieved an Attainment 8 score of 56.9, significantly above the England average of 45.9. This indicates that across eight key subjects, students achieve more than a grade higher on average than is typical nationally.

The school ranks 660th in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), and ranks 14th among schools in Richmond upon Thames. This places it in the top 25% of schools in England, performing well above the England average (top 15%).

Crucially, the Progress 8 score of +0.49 demonstrates that students make strong progress from their starting points. A score of nearly half a grade higher per subject suggests effective teaching that adds value regardless of a child's prior ability.

At A-level, performance is solid. The school ranks 1,260th in England and 15th in Richmond upon Thames for A-level outcomes. This reflects performance in line with the middle 35% of schools in England (25th to 60th percentile). In 2024, 47% of grades were A*-B. While this does not rival the selective heavyweights in the borough, it represents a capable Sixth Form provision where nearly half of all entries secure top grades.

The curriculum is broad and follows the Lift Schools framework, which emphasizes intellectual curiosity alongside core knowledge. Teaching is structured and consistent. The "Remarkable Lives" curriculum divides learning into clear strands, ensuring that personal development is not an add-on but woven into the timetable.

Digital technology is heavily integrated. As an academy within a large trust, RPA leverages Google Classroom and other digital tools extensively, allowing for seamless homework management and resource sharing. Parents report that this transparency helps them support learning at home.

In Key Stage 3 (Years 7-9), the focus is on breadth. Students study a full range of subjects including drama, music, and art, which are often squeezed in other schools. By Key Stage 4, the options blocks allow for specialization, though the core of English, Mathematics, and Science remains intense. The sciences are particularly well-resourced, with practical work featuring regularly in lessons.

Where Students Go Next

The Sixth Form is a growing strength, serving as a launchpad for diverse futures. In 2024, 43% of the cohort progressed to university. While the school does not publish a full Russell Group breakdown, the academic ambition is evident in the 2024 Oxbridge data: of the two students who applied, one secured a place.

Students also pursue alternative pathways with success. 6% of leavers moved into further education colleges, and 4% secured apprenticeships, reflecting the school’s support for vocational as well as academic routes. 20% entered employment directly, well prepared by the school’s careers programme which begins early in the secondary phase.

Destinations are varied, with students heading to institutions across London and beyond. The school provides specific support for UCAS applications, including personal statement workshops and interview practice, which is particularly robust for early applicants to medicine or competitive courses.

Admissions are coordinated by the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. The school is oversubscribed, a testament to its rising reputation. In the most recent intake, there were 495 applications for 272 places, resulting in a ratio of 1.8 applications per place.

Despite the high demand, the catchment area can be surprisingly wide. In 2024, the last distance offered was 5.66 miles. Distances vary annually based on applicant distribution; proximity provides priority but does not guarantee a place. This figure is notably larger than many London schools, likely reflecting the specific distribution of applicants in that year and the inclusion of siblings.

The school follows the standard Pan-London admissions criteria: priority to looked-after children, then siblings, and finally distance from the home address to the school gate. Unlike some neighbouring schools, there are no aptitude places for sport or music; entry is comprehensive and based purely on the standard criteria.

Pastoral care is organized through a Year Group system rather than vertical houses. Each year has a dedicated Head of Year and a non-teaching Pastoral Support Manager. This structure ensures that there is always someone available during the school day to handle immediate concerns without interrupting lessons.

The school places a heavy emphasis on mental health. "Wellbeing" is not just a buzzword but a timetabled part of the curriculum. The Personal Development programme covers resilience, online safety, and healthy relationships explicitly.

Behaviour is managed through a clear system of rewards and sanctions. The "warm strict" ethos means uniforms must be correct and punctuality is enforced, but this is balanced by a culture of celebration. Assemblies regularly highlight "Students of the Week" and rewards breakfasts are a coveted prize.

The extracurricular offer aims to utilise the school's location. The proximity to the river and Richmond Park allows for a strong outdoor education focus. The Duke of Edinburgh Award is popular, with high participation rates at Bronze and Silver levels.

Sport is a central pillar. The on-site facilities include a large sports hall, a fitness suite, and a floodlit 3G pitch which is a hub for local football. Competitive fixtures are played regularly against other borough schools in football, netball, and basketball. The school also has links with local rowing clubs, offering students the chance to experience water sports on the Thames.

The creative arts are equally visible. The drama department stages two major productions a year, ranging from Shakespeare to modern musicals. Music tuition is available for a wide range of instruments, and the school orchestra performs at local community events. Clubs such as the Debate Mate team and the STEM club (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) ensure that academic interests are nurtured outside the classroom.

Fees & Financial Aid

This is a state school with no tuition fees. Parents are responsible for the cost of uniforms, some extracurricular trips, and individual music lessons.

Families on lower incomes may be eligible for the Pupil Premium, which provides the school with additional funding to support their child's education. This can also cover costs for trips and equipment. Parents should check eligibility for Free School Meals through the local authority.

The school day runs from 8:40am to 3:10pm. The campus is located on Park Avenue in East Sheen, a short walk from Mortlake station (South Western Railway), making it accessible for students commuting from Waterloo or out towards Twickenham. Several bus routes (33, 337, 493) stop nearby on the Upper Richmond Road West.

There is no on-site parking for parents, and the surrounding streets are subject to strict controls. Most students walk, cycle, or use public transport. Secure cycle storage is provided on site.

Urban constraints. While the school has good facilities, the site is compact. Outdoor space is well-managed but busy during breaks. Families used to expansive playing fields might find the urban density a change.

Academy standardization. As part of Lift Schools, the school follows trust-wide policies for curriculum and assessment. This brings consistency and resources but can mean less flexibility than a standalone school. Families should be comfortable with the centralized approach to education.

Competitive context. Richmond is a borough of high-performing schools. While RPA is strong and improving, it competes with selective grammars in neighbouring boroughs and highly selective independent schools. The academic pace is high, but the environment is comprehensive rather than selective.

Richmond Park Academy has successfully reinvented itself as a high-functioning, ambitious community school. It offers a rigorous education with a genuine heart, achieving results that place it well above the national average without losing its inclusive ethos. Best suited to local families who want a strong, grounded education with rising standards, right on their doorstep. The main challenge is securing a place as its popularity continues to grow.