City of London Academy (Southwark) Review 2026: Exploration and Excellence in Bermondsey

The atrium greets you first. Floor to ceiling, filled with the achievements of former students who have gone to Oxford, Cambridge, and beyond. That's the vision here: not just academic success, but the understanding that education means preparing for life itself. City of London Academy Southwark opened in 2003 with sponsorship from the City of London Corporation, placing it at the heart of London's professional and cultural landscape. Now home to nearly 1,600 students aged 11 to 19, the academy has become one of Southwark's most oversubscribed schools, drawing families from across south London who recognise something distinctive in what it offers.

The school occupies a modern campus designed for purpose, with state-of-the-art facilities and an infectious sense that learning matters. A new £3.2 million sports hall is being completed for summer 2026. GCSE results place the school in the top 25% in England (FindMySchool ranking), with an Attainment 8 score of 53.4 (well above the England average of 46). The Progress 8 score of +0.48 indicates pupils make above-average progress from their starting points. At A-level, 59% of grades achieve A*-B, with the sixth form identified as the highest-performing in Southwark by total points. In 2024, leavers showed strong progression, with 65% going to university.

Walk around during lesson changeover and the discipline is evident. Uniforms are smartly worn, movement purposeful, but there is genuine warmth between staff and students. The school's guiding purpose, the Exploration of Life, runs through everything. It is printed on the prospectus, spoken about in assembly, and seems to shape how the academy views its role: not simply to deliver qualifications, but to help young people understand themselves and their place in the world.

The house system underpins much of the community. Students are assigned to one of four houses, each named after a historical figure chosen by the student body itself: Mandela, Parks, Seacole, and Hawking. This deliberately signals inclusion and diversity. Beyond administrative function, the houses compete in everything from debating to cooking to performing arts, creating stakes and engagement beyond the exam room.

The physical environment matters here. The atrium is designed to inspire, displaying the destinations and achievements of recent leavers. The drama studio, auditorium, and soon-to-be-completed sports hall signal investment in breadth. Classrooms are modern; specialist facilities include science labs, a multi-functional drama space, and facilities for art and technology. The environment communicates high expectations.

Michael Baxter has been Principal since April 2019. Under his leadership, the academy has strengthened its culture, improved behaviour, and achieved record-breaking GCSE and A-level results. Staff turnover is notably low, suggesting stability and morale are strong. Three full-time counsellors work alongside dedicated pastoral teams, with each year group having a Head of Year, Deputy Head of Year, and Pastoral Support Manager.

The school maintains close ties to the City of London through its sponsorship, which creates real opportunities. Students shadow judges at the Old Bailey, complete work placements at Ipsos MORI and Buckingham Palace, and attend the Lord Mayor's Banquet. This is not window dressing; the school deliberately builds connections between education and professional life.

GCSE Performance

GCSE results in 2024 showed strong outcomes. The Attainment 8 score of 53.4 sits comfortably above the England average of 46, reflecting good progress across the qualification diet. The school ranks 892 (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the top 25% in England (top 25% of schools in England). Locally in Southwark, it ranks 9th among secondary schools, a solid position that reflects its popularity and effectiveness.

64% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in both English and mathematics, the standard pass threshold. The English Baccalaureate continues to be a focus, with 33% of pupils achieving grades 5 or above across the full suite of subjects. Progress 8 of +0.48 indicates pupils make better than average progress relative to their starting points, a meaningful measure of school effectiveness. The school emphasises breadth, offering 29 mainstream GCSE subjects so students can pursue genuine interests alongside core qualifications.

A-Level Performance

The sixth form continues the upward trajectory. At A-level, 59% of grades achieved A*-B, with 6% at A*. These represent the highest grades in the school's history, an improvement of 12%age points in the A*-B category compared to the previous year. The average grade achieved was B, a respectable position for a non-selective sixth form.

Sixty-three students were entered for A-levels across a choice of 18 subjects. Subjects span breadth: Fine Art, Biology, Chemistry, Business Studies, Computing, Drama, English Literature, Economics, Further Mathematics, Geography, French, History, Law, Psychology, and others. This range gives students opportunity to specialise where they have genuine aptitude while maintaining flexibility for university applications.

The A-level ranking places the school at 815 in England (FindMySchool data), reflecting solid typical performance (middle 35% of schools in England). This positioning is honest: the sixth form is thriving and improving, but it sits in the middle band in England rather than the top 2% of schools in Englands. For many families, this is precisely right, strong support, accessible entry, genuine outcomes without the pressures of ultra-selective peer groups.

University Progression

In the 2023-24 cohort, 65% of leavers progressed to university, with a further 2% into further education, 6% into apprenticeships, and 15% into employment. The university pipeline regularly includes Russell Group institutions including Cambridge, Oxford, Exeter, Imperial College, King's College London, University College London, Queen Mary's, and Nottingham. One student in the 2024 cohort achieved AAA in Economics, Mathematics and Further Mathematics; another secured AAA in Maths, Further Maths and Physics, both heading to competitive universities.

Oxbridge applications numbered 13 across the measured period, with 1 acceptance achieved. This is modest by elite school standards but reflects realistic outcomes for a comprehensive sixth form. The school does not hide from this; instead, it offers a dedicated 10-month Oxbridge programme for high-achieving Year 12 students run in collaboration with City of London Boys and City of London Girls (the private schools in the family).

The curriculum is built explicitly around what the school calls threshold concepts, foundational ideas that unlock understanding within each discipline. English teaches close reading and essay writing. Mathematics emphasises proof and deep problem-solving, not procedural fluency alone. Science is taught as separate disciplines from Year 7, not as integrated science. Languages (French and Spanish) begin early and are sustained to GCSE and beyond. This approach reflects a deliberate philosophy: education should build genuine disciplinary understanding, not superficial coverage.

Ability setting begins in Year 7 for some subjects and extends in mathematics from Year 4 of secondary work. These sets are described as "fluid," meaning movement between groups can occur when students' needs change. The intention is to challenge without leaving students adrift.

Extended school days run twice weekly, offering independent learning sessions that teach revision technique alongside enrichment opportunities. The school explicitly rejects the notion that students must make a binary choice between academic rigour and extracurricular breadth; instead, it builds both into the timetable.

For students who struggle to keep pace, the Elevate Curriculum provides targeted support, aiming to bring students back onto mainstream pathways rather than silo them permanently. Students with identified special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) receive support through inclusion programmes, pastoral interventions, literacy and numeracy support, learning mentoring, and counselling. In 2023-24, students with an EHCP achieved nearly half a grade better than the England average at GCSE, a standout measure of inclusive excellence.

The enrichment provision here is both ambitious and concrete, delivering on the school's commitment to the Exploration of Life through named, specific programmes.

Basketball Academy

The in England regarded Basketball Academy is a defining feature. Led by Jackson Gibbons, a 14-times Coach of the Year, the programme operates as both an elite pathway and a school-wide participation channel. Both the boys' and girls' U18 teams won the national championships in 2023, making this one of the most successful school basketball programmes in the country. The academy accepts students through an aptitude assessment, allocating up to 24 places (10% of Year 7 cohort) to those demonstrating combination of skill and commitment. Students balance competitive play with rigorous academics; basketball scholarships to US universities are a realistic pathway for elite players. The new sports hall opening summer 2026 will feature a state-of-the-art basketball court with supporting facilities, doubling the school's capacity to run competitive fixtures and training.

Performing Arts

Termly music showcases give students regular platforms for performance. An annual school musical is produced each year, requiring coordination across actors, musicians, technical crew, and costume design. Recent productions have involved significant orchestra participation, suggesting serious investment in dramatic production values. Regular art exhibitions display student work across the academy campus. Drama is taught as a full GCSE and A-level subject, with the dedicated drama studio and auditorium enabling frequent productions beyond the annual musical.

Duke of Edinburgh Award

The award scheme runs at Bronze, Silver, and Gold levels. Year 7 students undertake a residential expedition as part of their transition experience. The programme emphasises adventure learning, developing resilience, independence, and responsibility through outdoor challenge and teamwork. This is not peripheral; the school explicitly names it as part of developing the value of Resilience in its character framework.

House Competitions

The house system activates through competitions spanning academic, sporting, artistic, and social dimensions. Debating competitions between houses are regular features, as are chess competitions, cooking competitions, and performing arts challenges. This structure means that different students can find their niche, not every student excels at football, but many can contribute through debating or art or leadership roles within their house.

Leadership and Societies

Student leadership is deliberately developed. Students can hold formal positions (Student President and Vice-President positions carry invitations to the Lord Mayor's Banquet). Beyond that, societies provide space for student voice on contemporary issues. The Green Society and Feminist Society are explicitly named as forums for discussing environmental and gender equality concerns in supportive settings. Students participate in selecting their house names and in democratic voting for school representatives, signalling that their agency is valued.

Debating

Comprehensive enrichment includes inter-school debating and chess competitions through partnerships within the City of London family of schools. The school emphasises oracy, the ability to speak clearly, persuasively, and thoughtfully, as a core skill. Formal debating teaches critical thinking, evidence evaluation, and articulate expression, skills that transfer across all academic work.

Careers and Mentoring

The careers programme is comprehensive and personalised. Two dedicated Careers Coordinators (one for KS3-4, one for KS4-5) oversee a carefully sequenced programme from Year 7 through Year 13. Students benefit from industry-led masterclasses, mock interviews, CV workshops, and field trips to employers. Mentoring partnerships place students with volunteers working in fields of genuine interest, a student interested in real estate, for example, gets paired with a real estate professional to build industry knowledge and contacts. Year 10 and 12 work experience placements are compulsory, with many placements in the City thanks to the school's links. Paid summer internships are available for some students. The school explicitly addresses career stereotypes, promoting equal access to all pathways regardless of gender or background.

Cultural Capital and Trips

Drop-down days occur three times yearly, covering sex and relationships education alongside public speaking events, day trips around London, and university visits. Field trips to the Museum of London and educational walks around the City of London provide direct access to historical and cultural landmarks. Modern foreign language groups and sports teams undertake overseas trips, expanding horizons beyond classroom walls.

Facilities

Beyond the headline Basketball Academy, the school has invested in comprehensive facilities. A main sports hall hosts multiple sports simultaneously. The auditorium hosts performances, assemblies, and presentations. The multi-functional drama studio supports both teaching and production work. Art studios support portfolio development. Technology facilities include computing labs. The learning resource centre (library) operates extended hours to support independent study. New facilities opening summer 2026 will add a second sports hall with state-of-the-art basketball court, expanding capacity for competitive sport and after-school club provision.

City of London Academy Southwark is heavily oversubscribed. In the most recent measured admissions cycle, 718 applications were received for approximately 241 places at Year 7, reflecting a subscription proportion of nearly 3:1. Admissions are coordinated by Southwark Local Authority through the standard common application process. All applicants complete the LA form by the stated deadline.

The school has a distinctive specialism in Business and Enterprise (also called Information Technology). 10% of places (approximately 24 per cohort) are allocated through an Information Technology Aptitude Test. This assesses aptitude, not prior knowledge or tutoring advantage; the test is designed to identify students with genuine interest in computing and IT entrepreneurship. The remaining 90% of places are allocated by distance from the school gates, following the standard oversubscription criteria (looked-after children and those with EHCPs naming the school first, then distance).

Sixth form entry is separate and requires GCSE attainment typically around grade 5 or above in planned A-level subjects, though entry is not automatic for all Year 11 completers. The Basketball Academy operates a separate admissions pathway through aptitude assessment.

For a family outside the immediate locality, securing a place is challenging unless they live very close to the school gates. Interested families should verify their precise distance and make careful enquiries about historical last distances offered.

The wellbeing structure is substantial. Three full-time counsellors are available; each year group has a dedicated Head of Year, Deputy Head of Year, and Pastoral Support Manager. Morning briefing sessions and student support meetings occur regularly, ensuring no student slips unnoticed through the system. Peer mentors provide additional support.

The school adopts what it describes as a warm but consistent approach to behaviour. Students know the expectations are non-negotiable, but the relationships are genuine. Ofsted (November 2021) found that pupils enjoy their education and feel safe. Behaviour is positive; bullying concerns are addressed effectively. Students report knowing how to stay safe online and mentally, and the school works with external agencies on safeguarding challenges specific to the Southwark context (e.g., awareness of exploitation risks, peer abuse prevention).

Extended day provision on two nights per week provides structured time for independent learning, homework support, and enrichment club access. This reduces pressure on families to arrange alternatives and embeds support into the school week.

The school operates a standard secondary schedule: school day typically 8:50am to 3:20pm. The sixth form operates from a separate site (397 Rotherhithe New Road) with extended hours reflecting post-16 student autonomy. Extended day provision runs on two designated evenings per week. After-school clubs run on most days. The school does not operate a breakfast club or formal after-school childcare in the primary sense (this is a secondary with sixth form), but the extended day and clubs programme provides structured provision well into the afternoon.

Located in Bermondsey, the school is accessible via multiple bus routes and is within walking distance of Canada Water tube station (Jubilee Line) and nearby stations. Parking is available on Lynton Road and surrounding streets, though street parking in this area can be competitive during peak times.

School uniform is required and must be worn to specified standards. The prospectus specifies requirements including top button fastened and approved hair accessories only, reflecting the formal discipline ethos. This is described by some students as strict; others see it as part of the clear, consistent expectations the school maintains.

Competition for places is intense. With nearly 3 applicants per place, entry is not assured. Families should verify their distance from school gates well in advance and understand that living close is not a guarantee, distance thresholds vary annually based on the distribution of applicants.

The formal discipline approach is genuine. The school maintains consistent behaviour expectations including uniform standards, hall monitor duties, and clear consequences for rule-breaches. Some families appreciate this clarity and consistency; others prefer a more informal environment. Understanding the school's discipline culture is important before entry.

Sixth form entry requires careful planning. Not all GCSE completers automatically progress to the sixth form; entry typically requires strong GCSE grades. Students should check specific subject entry requirements (e.g., Further Maths for advanced Mathematics A-level) and plan their GCSE choices accordingly.

The Basketball Academy is highly selective. For interested students, the aptitude assessment is rigorous and competitive. Places are limited to 24 per year; demand significantly exceeds supply. Families should research what the selection process assesses before committing to the application pathway.

Oxbridge and elite university pathways are supported but are not the default. The school offers a dedicated Oxbridge programme for high-achieving Year 12 students, but the broader sixth form sends graduates across a range of universities. Families seeking a school with systematic preparation for ultra-elite institutions should be realistic about what a comprehensive sixth form can provide compared to highly selective independent schools.

City of London Academy Southwark is a confident, well-led school delivering genuine academic strength paired with serious enrichment in sport, performing arts, and leadership. The new sports hall opening in 2026 signals continued investment. Results place it in the top 25% in England at GCSE, with A-level showing improvement trajectory. The sixth form is thriving as a genuine post-16 destination, not an afterthought.

What distinguishes this school is the clarity of purpose. The Exploration of Life is not marketing language; it genuinely shapes curriculum design, pastoral care, and the enrichment programme. Students are expected to think about how they fit into a wider world, what they want to explore, and how to develop themselves beyond examination syllabuses.

Best suited to families seeking strong academics, serious extracurricular opportunity, and professional connection through City of London sponsorship; families valuing formal discipline and high expectations; and students genuinely interested in basketball, debating, performing arts, or the business and enterprise specialism. The main barrier is entry itself; competition is fierce. For those who secure places, the education is thoughtful, the pastoral care is robust, and the preparation for university and beyond is deliberate and effective.