Located on St John's Hill in Battersea, Centre Academy London serves students aged 11 to 19 with specific learning difficulties (SpLD), including dyslexia, ADHD, and ASD. It occupies a distinctive position in the landscape of specialist education as the only school in the UK to offer the American High School Diploma alongside the British National Curriculum. This dual-track approach offers a lifeline to intelligent students who may have found the rigidity of standard examinations a barrier to progress.
The school was rated Inadequate by Ofsted in November 2022 and is currently working on an improvement plan. While this rating highlights significant challenges, the school continues to be sought after by families who value its small class sizes and specialist understanding of neurodiversity.
The school operates from a white Victorian building near Clapham Junction, feeling less like a large institution and more like a small collegiate community. With a capacity of just 60 students, the environment is intimate. Staff know every student's name, learning profile, and triggers.
Ms Kasia Cieloch serves as Head of School, working alongside Dr Duncan Rollo, the Principal. The ethos focuses on restoring self-esteem often damaged by struggle in mainstream settings. The atmosphere is generally calm, with a focus on removing the anxiety that often accompanies learning difficulties. The school is CReSTeD (Council for the Registration of Schools Teaching Dyslexic Pupils) registered, reflecting its commitment to specialist provision.
We do not publish standard league table rankings for Centre Academy London. Success here is measured by individual progress and destinations rather than raw grade averages.
The school's most distinctive academic feature is the American High School Diploma. This qualification is assessed continuously through credit accumulation rather than high-stakes terminal exams, allowing students to demonstrate their ability without the pressure of the exam hall. For many students, this pathway has been transformative, opening doors to universities in both the UK and the US that would otherwise have been closed.
Students also sit GCSEs and A-levels where appropriate. The school emphasises that nearly all leavers progress to university or further education, a significant achievement given the complex needs of the cohort.
England ranks and key metrics (where available)
GCSE 9–7
11.11%
% of students achieving grades 9-7
Class sizes are exceptionally small, typically ranging from four to ten students. This allows for high levels of individual attention and immediate feedback. Teaching is specialist-led, using multi-sensory strategies designed for students with processing or memory difficulties.
However, parents should be aware of the findings from the most recent Ofsted inspection (November 2022), which rated the Quality of Education as Inadequate. Inspectors noted that the curriculum lacked ambition and breadth in some areas, and that planning was not always well-sequenced. The school has challenged these findings and has been implementing a new curriculum framework to address the concerns raised.
Pastoral support is integrated into the daily fabric of the school. The small community size means that social dynamics are highly visible, allowing staff to intervene early if issues arise.
The school employs a therapist to support student mental health, addressing issues such as anxiety and low confidence that often accompany learning differences. While the 2022 inspection raised concerns regarding safeguarding procedures and attendance recording, the school has since appointed new leadership in these areas and is working to robustly improve its systems.
Despite its urban location and lack of on-site playing fields, the school offers a range of activities. Students use local facilities, including Clapham Common and nearby leisure centres, for sport. The curriculum includes a "Personal Power" programme designed to build resilience, social skills, and executive functioning.
Recent Ofsted reports noted a limited range of extracurricular opportunities compared to some schools, but the location offers easy access to London's museums and galleries for educational visits.
£14,300 per term (£42,900 per year).
Fees are inclusive of tuition. Additional costs apply for public examinations and some individual therapies if not covered by funding.
There is no dedicated bursary fund. However, many students are funded by their Local Authority through an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). Families often self-fund initially while pursuing statutory funding.
Fees data coming soon.
Admissions are non-selective academically but selective based on need. The school seeks students with average to above-average intelligence who have a specific learning difficulty. It does not typically accept students whose primary need is behavioural or who have profound learning difficulties that would prevent access to the curriculum.
The process involves submitting an educational psychologist's report and any EHCP documentation, followed by an interview and a mandatory trial period (usually three days). This trial is critical to ensure the school can meet the child's needs.
09:00 – 15:30.
Located a short walk from Clapham Junction station, offering excellent rail and bus links. There is no school bus service; most students travel independently or are brought by parents.
There is no formal uniform, though students are expected to adhere to a smart-casual dress code.
Current Ofsted Rating: The school was rated Inadequate in November 2022. Concerns centred on curriculum quality, safeguarding administration, and leadership capacity. Families should ask the school for the most recent monitoring reports to gauge progress since this inspection.
City Site: The school is in a converted building on a busy road with no outdoor space on-site. Students must travel to local parks for recreation.
Not for Behavioural Needs: The school specialises in learning difficulties (dyslexia/ADHD) and is not suitable for students with severe behavioural challenges.
Curriculum Breadth: The 2022 inspection noted that the range of subjects was narrow for some students. Families should verify that the current subject offer meets their child's interests and aspirations.
Centre Academy London offers a unique educational lifeline through its US Diploma programme, providing a route to university for students who might otherwise falter. For families whose priority is a small, nurturing environment that understands dyslexia and ADHD, it remains a compelling option. However, the Inadequate Ofsted rating is a significant caution; prospective parents must rigorously quiz the leadership on the improvements made to safeguarding and curriculum quality before committing.
The school was rated Inadequate by Ofsted in November 2022, having previously been rated Good. The inspection highlighted significant weaknesses in curriculum planning and leadership. However, many parents speak highly of the specialist support and the transformative impact of the US Diploma programme.
Fees are £14,300 per term, which equates to approximately £42,900 per year. Many places are funded by Local Authorities for students with an EHCP.
Yes. It is the only special school in the UK to offer the American High School Diploma alongside GCSEs and A-levels. This allows students to gain a university-recognised qualification through continuous assessment rather than just terminal exams.
Applications are made directly to the school. You will need to submit specialist reports (such as an Educational Psychologist's assessment). The process includes an interview and a mandatory trial period of roughly three days.
The school supports students aged 11-19 with Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLD) including dyslexia, dyspraxia, ADHD, and ASD. It caters to students of average to high intelligence and is not a behavioural school.
Get in touch with the school directly
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