Stepney All Saints (CoE) Review 2026: academic ambition in Tower Hamlets

Three centuries of educational heritage converge in this thriving Church of England comprehensive in Tower Hamlets. The school links back to early 18th‑century foundations: Sir John Cass’s 1710 charity for local children in the East End and the Red Coat School (opened 1714 for seamen’s orphans). After merging in 1966, these two charitable institutions became one, only to reinvent themselves once more in 2020 when they took the name Stepney All Saints to reflect their commitment to inclusion and to distance themselves from their founder's historical involvement in the slave trade. The result is a school that actively reckons with its past while looking decisively forward.

Today, this mixed school serves over 1,300 students aged 11-18 across a five-storey Victorian and modern facility in Stepney, where two-thirds of pupils are of Bangladeshi heritage and roughly half are eligible for free school meals. Yet academic outcomes defy demographic expectations. Ranked 633rd in England for GCSE performance (FindMySchool ranking), the school sits comfortably in the top 25% of schools nationally, a position reinforced by strong Progress 8 scores and consistent above-average progression to university. The 2021 Ofsted inspection confirmed the school's status as Outstanding, validating the leadership's ambitious vision encapsulated in the motto "We Learn Together, We Pray Together, We Achieve Together."

Walk onto Stepney Way and the secure perimeter speaks to a school that takes safeguarding seriously. The five-storey main building combines period architecture with modern extensions housing dedicated facilities for music, art, technology, and science. Staff demonstrate genuine warmth alongside rigorous expectation; students describe teachers as intellectually demanding yet personally caring.

The school's recent rebranding as Stepney All Saints (replacing Sir John Cass's Foundation and Red Coat) represents a watershed moment. Following George Floyd's murder and the global reckoning with racism, the school leadership undertook a consultation with governors, staff, students and parents, concluding that the continued use of Sir John Cass's name — a man with documented involvement in the Atlantic slave trade — stood in direct conflict with the school's stated commitment to fighting racism. The decision to adopt the name of the nearby medieval church and the broader concept of "All Saints" demonstrates institutional integrity and a willingness to honour the school's values over tradition. The school now works actively with Representation Matters Ltd to ensure every student feels they belong.

The atmosphere is notably purposeful but not pressured. Pupils appreciate the intellectual challenge their teachers provide. Behaviour is exemplary; students move through corridors with purpose and treat one another respectfully. The house system creates smaller communities within the larger school, and pastoral staff are visibly invested in student wellbeing. Senior students take on mentoring responsibilities, supporting younger peers through transition and beyond.

Mr Benjamin Siaw, headteacher since August 2024, arrived with a clear mandate to consolidate recent gains. His predecessor, Paul Woods, had steadied the school after its 2014 Inadequate rating and the subsequent 2015 Outstanding rating, positioning Stepney All Saints as a school that rebounds from crisis through sustained commitment. The new leadership maintains these high standards whilst planning fresh ambitions for the school's future.

GCSE Performance

In the most recent examinations, the school achieved an Attainment 8 score of 58.1, notably above the national average of 45.9. This means students across the cohort accumulated qualifications at a higher rate than their peers nationally. Equally impressive: the Progress 8 score of +0.77, indicating that students here make above-average progress from their starting points when compared to peers with similar prior attainment across England. The school ranks 2nd locally in Tower Hamlets and 633rd nationally (FindMySchool data), placing it firmly in the top 25% of secondary schools in England.

Nearly 40% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in the English Baccalaureate (English, mathematics, science, a language, and humanities), compared to the England average of 41%. Reading attainment sits at 40% meeting the expected standard — a testament to the school's focus on literacy alongside numeracy.

A-Level Performance

Sixth form results show 54% of pupils achieved grades A*-B at A-level, compared to the England average of 47%. The school ranks 1,060th nationally and 3rd locally in Tower Hamlets (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the middle performance band nationally. This represents solid progress for students who entered sixth form with GCSE grades in the mid-to-upper range. University destinations reflect this solid foundation, with 77% of sixth form leavers (2023-24 cohort) progressing to university, whilst 12% entered employment and 3% began apprenticeships.

Teaching follows a clear, structured approach rooted in high expectations and careful assessment. Lessons are meticulously planned to build knowledge over time, with teachers identifying key subject concepts that must be taught and regularly checking pupil understanding. The school has invested significantly in laptops for students, a move supported by grants from the Portal Trust (the school's trustee) which provided £175,000 during the pandemic to ensure all students had access to technology for remote learning.

The breadth of the curriculum is notable. Beyond the core subjects, students can choose Bengali, French and Spanish; subjects like psychology, sociology, economics, and law sit alongside traditional offerings. Art and technology rooms, though accessible only by stairs, remain popular, whilst music and drama command dedicated spaces. At A-level, the school offers vocational courses alongside academic qualifications, acknowledging that university is not the only valid destination.

A particular strength lies in drama. Students have access to regular theatre visits — four operas or musicals per GCSE cohort — and the school's commitment to performing arts is evident in the professional productions staged annually. The head of department is described as dedicated and popular, ensuring the subject remains accessible to all interested pupils, not merely the gifted few.

University Progression

70% of students in the 2023-24 cohort progressed to university, reflecting the school's consistent academic momentum. The school does not publish Russell Group-specific data on its website; however, universities across the sector benefit from Stepney All Saints applications. Post-16 guidance is deliberately comprehensive, covering pathways into higher education, apprenticeships and employment from Year 9 onwards. Mentoring programmes with external partners (notably The Business School, supported since 2015 by the Portal Trust) expose students to workplace culture and professional expectations early.

Oxbridge Performance

In the measurement period captured the school saw 12 Oxbridge applications, with 1 offer and 1 acceptance (Cambridge). Whilst these numbers are modest compared to highly selective independent schools, they represent genuine achievement for a state comprehensive serving a predominantly disadvantaged cohort, and underscore the point that Oxbridge entry is open to students across the social spectrum.

Oversubscription & Distance

Demand for places is intense. The school's primary entry route (Year 7) saw over 1,200 applications for 208 places in recent admissions cycles. Pupils are banded equally by ability using Tower Hamlets' standard numeracy and literacy tests administered in Year 5, ensuring equal numbers from each band secure places. The last distance offered in 2024 was 0.677 miles. Distances vary annually based on applicant distribution; proximity provides priority but does not guarantee a place.

The school is non-selective and open to all faiths, though as a Church of England voluntary aided school, it does ask applicants to complete a supplementary information form for governors to consider. The school's commitment to serving its diverse, predominantly Muslim community whilst maintaining its Anglican character is managed thoughtfully — the school welcomes Muslim students and facilitates daily prayers and Friday Jummah observance.

Secondary Entry (Year 7)

Admissions are coordinated through Tower Hamlets Local Authority. The school uses the banding system described above, which aims to avoid the concentration of the highest-attaining pupils in a few schools. Families within and beyond the immediate catchment apply, though proximity remains the decisive factor after banding.

The school's pastoral infrastructure is deliberately robust. Students are placed in one of four house groups, each with a house team that knows them by name. Form tutors provide the first point of contact for day-to-day concerns, and heads of year manage more complex welfare issues. Deputy headteachers hold regular surgeries for sensitive matters.

Mental health support is prioritised. The school has invested in counselling services and works closely with external agencies when additional support is needed. Student voice is taken seriously; pupils report feeling heard and supported, particularly during examination stress. The school has held the Healthy Schools London Bronze award continuously since 2013.

Safeguarding is a strength. The school's absolute commitment to child protection is evident in staffing arrangements, staff training, and the careful vetting of all external visitors. Security measures, including CCTV throughout the building and checked access points, reflect the school's position in an urban area where vigilance is warranted. This is safeguarding done thoughtfully, not oppressively.

Music and Performing Arts

Music is woven into school life. The school operates SASS Radio, a student-run broadcast platform where young people produce and present their own content. Performing Arts took the new GCSE Music and Drama cohort to see a brand new musical, 'Fantastically Great Women Who Changed The World,' providing live theatre experience that informs their studies. Students have participated in 'The Big Sing' at Spitalfields Market in collaboration with neighbouring schools, performing to public audiences.

Drama is hugely popular and a genuine strength. GCSE Drama students visit professional theatres — the school has arranged visits to the Old Vic Theatre Projects' production of Jitney as a celebration of their GCSE work. A-level Drama is offered and well-subscribed, a joy to see in schools where the subject often struggles for recruits. The dedication of the drama department ensures productions are professionally executed.

Debating and Intellectual Engagement

The Question Time Project, run in partnership with Samosa Media, provides sixth form students with intensive debating workshops over eight weeks. Students prepared for a live forum debate on topics including "Do rules and authority restrict freedom?" and "Should the UK bring back National Service?" The experience builds critical thinking, teamwork and public speaking — essential skills beyond the examination hall. Sixth form students report gaining confidence and seeing their voices matter in civic discourse.

Sports and Physical Education

The school is among the most successful in Tower Hamlets for competitive sports, a "tremendous also achievement when you also look at the limitations also of the site," as one external reviewer noted. Indoor facilities include a swimming pool (undergoing refurbishment) and a sports hall. Outdoor facilities are limited by the urban location, yet the school maintains active rugby, football, netball, and athletics programmes. Students represent the school at borough and regional level.

Computer Science and STEM

Computer Science is offered as a discrete GCSE and A-level subject. The school has invested in modern equipment and benefits from the laptop provision for all students. Product design and textiles allow hands-on engagement with technology. The curriculum includes food and nutrition, reflecting both practical life skills and cultural awareness in a diverse community.

Art, Design and Creative Subjects

Art and design are offered at GCSE and A-level, though one reviewer noted visual arts are "no great shakes" as a school strength. Nevertheless, the school maintains active art tuition and regularly displays student work.

Enrichment and Clubs

Enrichment activities run at lunch and after school, organised through a timetabled "Enrichment Passport" system that allows students to choose clubs and activities aligned to their interests. The school's website lists opportunities across arts, sports and study support. Additionally, the school offers After School Tuition (AST) for pupils needing academic boost in core subjects or wanting to extend their learning.

Religious Life and Community

As a Church of England school, Stepney All Saints holds collective worship daily. Student-led reflections open each day, offering wisdom and encouragement rooted in Christian values and accessible to pupils of all faiths. Twice each half-term, the school gathers at the nearby St Dunstan's Church for Eucharist services, led by students under the guidance of the Rector. Muslim students observe daily prayers and Friday Jummah, facilitated by the school. The school works with the London Diocesan Board for Schools and holds the LDBS SIAMS (Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools) Outstanding rating (2018), confirming its effectiveness as a Church school.

School Publications

The school maintains a lively student publication culture, with a student art gallery and newspaper. SASS Radio provides broadcasting opportunities, and students can submit work to the school's digital gallery.

The school occupies a five-storey building with lift access to all upper levels and ramps at the main entrance, though art, technology and music rooms remain accessible only by stairs. This physical constraint reflects the building's Victorian heritage and the limitations of inner-city sites.

School day runs from approximately 8:45am to 3:20pm. Transport links are excellent: Stepney Green Underground station (Hammersmith & City and District lines) is nearby, as is Limehouse DLR station. Buses 15, 25, 115, 135, 309 and 339 serve the school. On-site parking is not available for visitors; permit parking is available on surrounding roads.

Tight admissions competition. Over 1,200 applications for 208 places means the majority of families will not secure an offer. The banding system aims to ensure fair allocation, but demand far exceeds supply. Families should verify current distance thresholds and recognise that living within the last distance offered is no guarantee; proximity simply provides priority.

Demographic context. The school is 98% ethnic minority and 90% Bangladeshi Muslim. Whilst the school is open to all faiths and prides itself on inclusion, the student body is notably homogeneous. Families from other backgrounds will be welcomed, but should recognise the cultural majority they are joining.

Limited outdoor facilities. The urban location means outdoor space is constrained. The school manages this admirably through its competitive sports programme and use of external facilities, but families used to spacious campuses should know that Stepney All Saints operates within physical constraints typical of inner London schools.

RAAC closure in 2023. The school closed entirely in September 2023 due to concerns about reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) in the building. The school was the only one in the UK to close completely for this reason. The issue has since been resolved and the school reopened, but it represents a reminder of the building's age and the ongoing need for capital investment.

Stepney All Saints is a school that lives its stated values. It serves a cohort of students who, statistically, face significant barriers to educational success — high deprivation, high proportions eligible for free meals, overwhelming ethnic and religious homogeneity — yet it achieves results that rival many selective and independent alternatives. The leadership demonstrably cares about the whole child; safeguarding is genuinely robust; teaching is structured and ambitious; pastoral care is thoughtful.

The rebranding in 2020 was not mere gesture; the school has invested real energy in becoming a place where every student feels they belong. The work with Representation Matters Ltd is ongoing, acknowledging that aspiration alone doesn't dismantle systemic inequality. Yet the pupils who walk these corridors know they are expected to achieve, that their teachers believe in them, and that a path to university and beyond is genuinely open.

Best suited to families within the tight admissions catchment who value a school rooted in Christian values, genuinely inclusive in practice, and uncompromising in its commitment to academic rigour. The principal challenge is securing a place; once in, the education is excellent.