Burntwood School Review 2026: Architecture and Ambition in Tooting

Few state schools can claim to be architectural landmarks, but Burntwood is an exception. Winner of the prestigious RIBA Stirling Prize in 2015, the campus resembles a modern university more than a typical secondary school, with its pale concrete facades and sculptural colonnades designed by Allford Hall Monaghan Morris. This bold environment sets the tone for a girls' school that takes itself seriously. Serving the community of Tooting and Earlsfield, it combines this modern setting with a comprehensive ethos, welcoming students of all abilities and using the Wandsworth Test to ensure a balanced intake rather than to select only the academic elite.

The physical environment here is striking. The campus consists of six pavilion-style buildings set within a mature landscape, designed to give students a sense of worth and collegiate identity. At drop-off, the gates reveal a busy, purposeful atmosphere. The sheer scale of the site allows for distinct faculty buildings, including a dedicated Performing Arts centre and science wings that rival higher education facilities.

Ms Helen Shorrock, the Principal, leads with a focus on "education for the 21st century," matching the forward-looking architecture. The school culture is rooted in the belief that girls thrive when given space to lead. The motto, "The best education today for the women of tomorrow," is visible in the confidence of the students who move between lessons. There is a strong emphasis on rights and responsibilities; Burntwood is a UNICEF Rights Respecting School (Gold Award), and this rights-based language permeates the behaviour policy and student council discussions.

Burntwood consistently delivers solid academic outcomes, particularly in terms of student progress. In 2024, the school achieved a Progress 8 score of +0.35, indicating that students make above-average progress from their starting points compared to peers across England.

Ranked 1170th in England and 14th in Wandsworth for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), the school’s performance reflects solid performance, in line with the middle 35% of schools in England (25th to 60th percentile). The focus on English Baccalaureate subjects is notable, with 28% achieving strong passes (Grade 5+) in the full suite of Ebacc subjects.

At A-level, the picture is more mixed. The school ranks 2180th in England for A-level outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the national lower band. In 2024, 29% of grades were A*-B. While this is below the England average, it is important to view these results in the context of the school's inclusive sixth form entry policy, which offers broad vocational pathways alongside traditional A-levels.

The curriculum is broad and structured to accommodate the wide ability range established by the fair banding system. Teaching groups are set by ability in core subjects like mathematics and science from Year 7, allowing for targeted support and stretch. The "Burntwood Curriculum" emphasises creativity alongside core academics; the visual arts are a particular strength, supported by gallery-standard exhibition spaces on campus.

Teachers make excellent use of the specialist facilities. Science lessons take place in purpose-built labs that encourage practical work, while the performing arts faculty benefits from professional-grade drama studios.

The majority of students progress to university, with 61% of the 2024 cohort securing degree places. A further 5% moved into apprenticeships, and 17% entered employment.

While the A-level top grades are lower than some local selective neighbours, the school successfully supports students into competitive institutions. In 2025, destinations included the University of Oxford for French and Arabic, and Medicine at Brighton & Sussex Medical School. The school also celebrates vocational success, with students securing competitive degree apprenticeships at major companies like Amazon.

Admission to Year 7 is coordinated by Wandsworth Council. Unusually for a non-selective school, Burntwood uses the Wandsworth Year 6 Test for "fair banding." This means all applicants sit the test, and places are then allocated equally across five ability bands (A to E) to ensure a comprehensive intake that reflects the national ability range.

The school is popular and oversubscribed. In the most recent cycle, there were 650 applications for 265 places, a ratio of 2.5 applications per seat. Once ability bands are filled, priority is given to looked-after children, siblings, and then those living closest to the school.

Distances vary annually based on applicant distribution; proximity provides priority but does not guarantee a place. Families should check the Wandsworth admissions booklet for the most recent cut-off distances within each ability band.

The House system is central to pastoral care, with four houses—satellites of the school's identity—fostering competition and community. Form tutors act as the first point of contact, supported by non-teaching Pastoral Support Managers who are available throughout the day to deal with social or emotional concerns.

Wellbeing is integrated into the curriculum through Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) education. The school's rights-respecting ethos means bullying is tackled through restorative approaches, encouraging students to understand the impact of their actions.

The extracurricular offer is robust, leveraging the campus facilities.

Sport

The sports hall and dance studios host clubs ranging from trampolining and netball to contemporary dance. The school competes in Wandsworth borough leagues.

The Arts

The performing arts are a pillar of school life. The annual school production is a major event, utilising the professional theatre space. There are multiple choirs and instrumental ensembles.

Leadership

The "Burntwood 100" and Student Leadership Team give older students genuine responsibility in running school events and mentoring younger peers.

STEM is also promoted actively, with clubs like the Science Club and Maths Challenge teams encouraging girls to pursue technical fields.

This is a state school with no tuition fees. Families are responsible for the cost of uniforms, sports kits, and voluntary contributions for trips or specialist music lessons.

The school day typically runs from 8:40am to 3:10pm. Located on Burntwood Lane, the school is well-connected by public transport, with Earlsfield (National Rail) and Tooting Broadway (Northern Line) both within walking distance. Several TFL bus routes stop directly outside the campus.

• Large Campus: With nearly 2,000 students and university-scale buildings, the environment can feel vast. Girls who prefer a small, intimate setting might find the scale initially daunting, though the House system mitigates this.
• Mixed Results: While GCSE progress is strong, A-level top grades are lower than those at nearby grammar or selective independent schools. Families seeking a purely academic "hothouse" might find the inclusive, broad-ability focus different from their expectations.
• Admissions Complexity: The fair banding system means entry isn't solely based on distance. Your child must sit the Wandsworth Test to be placed in a band; failure to do so can disadvantage an application.

Burntwood School offers a stunning physical environment that elevates the expectations of its students. It proves that state comprehensive education can be delivered in world-class surroundings. With strong progress at GCSE and a supportive, inclusive culture, it is best suited to local families who want a vibrant, diverse, and modern education for their daughters, and who value the "fair banding" approach to comprehensive schooling. The main challenge is securing a place in this popular community asset.