Overton Grange School Review 2026: A Modern Community on the Rise

Situated in a residential corner of Sutton, Overton Grange School stands as a distinct alternative in a borough famous for its selective grammar schools. Opened in 1997 to meet local demand, this mixed comprehensive serves over 1,300 students aged 11 to 18. While it lacks the centuries-old ivy of its neighbours, it offers something arguably more vital for many families: a modern, inclusive education where success is defined by progress as much as perfection.

The school's trajectory has been one of consolidation and recent improvement. Following a period of scrutiny, the most recent Ofsted inspection in late 2024 rated the school Good, validating the leadership's efforts to raise standards. It sits in a competitive landscape yet consistently attracts more applications than it has places, serving as a community hub for families in SM2 and beyond.

Arriving at the Stanley Road site, the architecture tells the story of its late-90s origins. The campus is purpose-built, functional, and compact, avoiding the sprawling confusion of older institutions. Blocks are arranged logically, creating a sense of order that permeates the school day. There is no ancient chapel here; instead, the heart of the school is its community ethos, reflected in the straightforward motto: Community, Inspiration, Success.

Mr Chris McNab, who took over as Headteacher in September 2024, has brought a renewed clarity to the school's direction. Parents note a firmer line on behaviour and uniform, alongside a genuine visibility at the school gates. The atmosphere is described by visitors as purposeful but friendly; students move between lessons with a relaxed confidence rather than hushed reverence.

The house system—Amber, Emerald, Ruby, and Sapphire—injects a necessary dose of belonging into the large cohort. It provides the vertical integration often missing in modern comprehensives, allowing Year 7s to rub shoulders with Sixth Formers during house competitions ranging from netball to debating. This structure ensures that despite the school's size, individual students are not lost in the crowd.

In a borough dominated by high-performing grammar schools, Overton Grange holds its own as a comprehensive provider, delivering results that sit squarely in line with national expectations.

GCSE Performance

The 2024 GCSE results place the school in the 'national typical' band, ranking 2,273rd in England (FindMySchool ranking). This performance reflects solid achievement, consistent with the middle 35% of schools in England. The average Attainment 8 score of 47.1 edges above the England average of 45.9, suggesting that students here generally achieve slightly higher grades than their peers across the country.

Notably, 7.9% of students achieved strong passes (grade 5 or above) in the English Baccalaureate (EBacc) suite of subjects. While the Progress 8 score of -0.17 indicates that students make progress broadly in line with expectations—albeit slightly below the England average—it highlights that the school serves a mixed-ability intake effectively without functioning as an exam factory.

A-Level & Sixth Form

At Sixth Form, the picture is one of accessibility rather than elitism. The school ranks 2,376th in England for A-level outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the 'national lower' band. In 2024, 24% of grades were A*-B. While top grades (A*-A) are less common at 5.5% compared to the England average of 23.6%, the school provides a vital pathway for students seeking to continue their education in a familiar, supportive environment.

The curriculum at Overton Grange is designed to be broad rather than niche. Key Stage 3 covers the full National Curriculum, ensuring students receive a grounding in arts, humanities, and technologies alongside the core subjects. The three-year Key Stage 3 is preserved, avoiding the trend of rushing into GCSE preparation in Year 9, which allows for deeper exploration of subjects like History and Geography before choices are narrowed.

Teaching is characterised by stability and support. The recent Ofsted report highlighted that teachers have secure subject knowledge and present information clearly. In subjects like Mathematics and Science, lessons follow a structured pattern that supports retention, though some parents feel the most able students could be stretched further.

The school has invested in its reading culture, implementing tutor-time reading programmes to boost literacy across all year groups. This is not just about English grades; it is a deliberate strategy to ensure students can access the full curriculum, particularly those who join with lower prior attainment.

The Sixth Form serves as a bridge to a variety of futures. In 2024, 72% of leavers progressed to university, a healthy figure that demonstrates the school's academic ambition. While the school does not publish a breakdown of Russell Group vs. non-Russell Group destinations, the pathway to Higher Education is well-trodden.

Approximately 14% of students moved directly into employment, and 2% began apprenticeships, reflecting the school's pragmatic approach to careers advice. The careers programme is robust, with work experience built into Year 10 and Year 12, ensuring students leave with a realistic understanding of the workplace.

For those engaging with the UCAS process, support is structured, though perhaps less intensive than in the private sector. Students aiming for highly competitive courses are supported, but independent drive is required to secure top-tier offers.

Admission to Overton Grange is coordinated by the London Borough of Sutton. As a community school, it does not use the 11-plus entrance exam, making it a primary choice for families who opt out of or do not qualify for the local grammar system.

Demand is consistently high. In the last cycle, the school received 538 applications for roughly 210 places, resulting in an oversubscription ratio of approximately 2.5 applications per place. This level of demand means the school is officially 'Oversubscribed'.

Criteria for entry follow the standard hierarchy: Looked After Children first, followed by those with exceptional medical or social reasons, then siblings, and finally distance from the school gate. In recent years, the catchment area has shrunk as local density increases; families living more than a mile away without a sibling link cannot guarantee a place.

Parents considering 2026 entry should use the FindMySchoolMap Search to check their precise distance, as boundaries fluctuate annually based on the applicant cohort.

Pastoral care is structured around the Tutor Group system, with Form Tutors acting as the first point of contact. This is bolstered by the House system, which provides a layer of competition and identity. The school employs non-teaching Pastoral Support Officers (PSOs) for each year group, a significant asset that ensures behaviour and wellbeing issues are managed by staff who are not rushing off to teach a class.

Safeguarding was praised in the recent inspection, with a culture that encourages students to report concerns. The 'speak up' button on the student intranet allows for anonymous reporting of bullying, a modern solution to an age-old problem.

Support for students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) is coordinated from the Learning Support Department. The team works to ensure curriculum access, though resources, as in many state schools, are stretched.

Extracurricular life at Overton Grange focuses on participation. The PE department is particularly active, running clubs before and after school. Football, netball, and basketball teams compete locally, utilising the expansive playing fields and indoor sports hall that are benefits of the purpose-built site.

The Arts are not forgotten. The annual school production is a calendar highlight, bringing together drama, music, and art departments. Recent performances have showcased a surprising depth of talent, often supported by the dedicated Tech Crew—a student-led group that manages lighting and sound for school events.

Clubs such as the STEM Club and the Debating Society offer enrichment for the intellectually curious. The Duke of Edinburgh Award is offered at Bronze and Silver levels, providing a structured framework for students to develop resilience and teamwork outside the classroom.

This is a state school with no tuition fees. Parents are expected to fund the cost of the uniform, optional trips, and music tuition if chosen. The school receives funding through the Local Authority and offers free school meals to eligible families.

The school day begins at 8:30am and concludes at 3:00pm, following a standard five-period structure. The site is located on Stanley Road, a short walk from local bus routes connecting to Sutton and Cheam. While there is no dedicated school bus service, public transport links are excellent, with Sutton station approximately a 20-minute walk away.

Uniform is strictly enforced, consisting of a black blazer with the school badge, house tie, and black trousers or skirt. The school has recently tightened rules regarding footwear and jewellery, a move generally supported by parents as improving the smartness of the student body.

Mixed Ability Environment. Unlike its grammar neighbours, Overton Grange teaches a full range of abilities. High-flying students will find themselves in classes with a broader mix of peers. While setting exists in core subjects, families used to the hothouse atmosphere of selective schools may find the pace different.

Competition for Places. Despite being a non-selective school, entry is not guaranteed. With 2.5 applications per place, living in Sutton is not enough; you often need to live relatively close to the school. Families moving to the area should not assume this is a 'fallback' option.

Sixth Form Outcomes. While the Sixth Form provides a caring environment, the 'national lower' ranking for A-level results suggests that students aiming for elite universities (Oxbridge/Medical) will need to be highly self-motivated. The school adds value, but the academic ceiling is driven by the student's own work ethic.

Overton Grange is a solid, grounded, and increasingly confident community school. It offers a genuine comprehensive education in a borough that often separates children at eleven. With a recent Good rating from Ofsted and steady leadership, it provides a safe, structured, and happy environment where students can succeed on their own terms. Best suited to local families who value a balanced education and social mix over the intense pressure of the grammar school system. The main challenge is securing a place within the tightening catchment.