Graveney School

A state school delivering results that prompt local parents to turn down fee-paying alternatives. Graveney sits in the Furzedown area of Tooting, southwest London, serving over 2,100 students across a sprawling campus that blends Georgian heritage with contemporary architecture. Rated Outstanding in all categories by Ofsted in 2022, the school attracts families from across Wandsworth and beyond, with intense competition for the 280 Year 7 places. The sixth form, one of the largest in the country with over 900 students, offers 32 A-level subjects and sends around half its leavers to Russell Group universities. With 60 languages spoken at home and a socio-economic mix that genuinely reflects inner London, this is a comprehensive that operates at grammar school level while remaining rooted in its diverse community.

The campus tells the story of a school that has evolved through centuries. Furzedown House, a Grade II-listed Georgian building constructed in 1794, stands alongside the 1913 Rosa Bassett building and a RIBA award-winning sixth form block completed more recently. The school occupies both sides of Welham Road, with the larger northern site housing the former Furzedown Training College. Tree-lined pathways connect teaching blocks, creating what the principal describes as a university feel.

Principal Cynthia Rickman has led Graveney since 2019, succeeding Graham Stapleton's three-decade tenure. Rickman, a Royal Academy of Music alumna, spent a decade in education policy before joining the senior team in 1998; the review credits her with both musical sensibility and strategic acumen. She led the Graveney Trust’s expansion, opening a primary school at the local authority’s request in 2012 and adding a second primary in 2018.

The school's ethos, stated as Committed to Excellence, draws on traditions dating back to Sir Walter St John's foundation of a school in Battersea in the late 1660s. Modern Graveney formed in 1986 through the amalgamation of Ensham School and Furzedown Secondary, itself a merger of Battersea Grammar School and Rosa Bassett School. This layered heritage contributes to an institution that values academic rigour without losing sight of inclusion.

Students describe Graveney as a happy school where diversity is the norm rather than the exception. The 2022 Ofsted inspection confirmed this picture, awarding Outstanding for behaviour and attitudes and noting that students demonstrate excellent attitudes to learning. Teachers possess strong subject knowledge and genuine passion for their disciplines. Staff turnover is low, and several teachers are former pupils who returned to work at the school.

Academic performance places Graveney firmly among the highest-achieving state schools in England. At GCSE in 2024, 47% of grades were at 9-7, with the Attainment 8 score of 61.9 and Progress 8 of +0.74 placing the school in the top 5% in England for both measures. The school ranks 438th in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), sitting in the top 10% of secondary schools and 6th among Wandsworth secondaries.

In English, 84% of students achieved grade 5 or above; in mathematics, the figure was identical. Over 90% secured grade 4 or above in both subjects. The EBacc average point score of 5.87 exceeded the England average of 4.08 by a significant margin.

At A-level, the school performs above the England average while serving a genuinely comprehensive cohort. In 2024, 31% of grades were at A* to A (compared to the England average of 23.6%), and 59% at A* to B (against 47.2% for England). The school ranks 653rd in England for A-level outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the top 25% and joint 6th in Wandsworth. Sixty-seven students achieved three or more A* or A grades, while 194 secured at least one top grade.

The combination of GCSE and A-level performance gives Graveney a combined England rank of 570 (FindMySchool composite ranking), reflecting sustained excellence across both key stages.

The curriculum follows an academic core with breadth that befits a school of this size. Thirty-five subjects are available at A-level, with English Literature the most popular. Film Studies was recently added to the list. At GCSE, Religious Education is compulsory, and 85% of students take triple science. All pupils study a modern language: French, Spanish and German run in the school day, while Latin and Mandarin are offered as twilight subjects before/after lessons.

Students are organised into ability bands from Year 7, initially based on English scores, with setting for mathematics introduced in Year 8. The Extension programme identifies high-attaining students through teacher nomination, covering not only core academics but also PE, music, and art. Movement between bands occurs regularly, preventing early allocation from determining a student's trajectory.

Class sizes can be substantial, with up to 33 students in some Extension group classes. The school addresses this through strong classroom management and structured teaching approaches. Ofsted found that the curriculum is ambitious and well sequenced, enabling students to build knowledge systematically.

The Habits of Mind framework underpins learning across subjects, encouraging students to think flexibly, persist through difficulty, and apply learning in new contexts. This metacognitive approach aligns with research on effective learning and features prominently in pastoral conversations.

The sixth form sends the substantial majority of leavers to higher education. In the most recent cohort, over 92% progressed to university or planned to do so following a gap year. Half of university entrants secured places at Russell Group institutions.

Oxbridge outcomes are exceptional for a non-selective state school. In 2024, ten students secured Oxbridge places; the school has sent 142 students to Oxford and Cambridge since 2010, averaging nine per year. Graveney ranks 129th in England for combined Oxbridge acceptances (FindMySchool ranking), 107th for Cambridge specifically, and 189th for Oxford. In the most recent application cycle, 42 students applied to Oxbridge, with 10 receiving offers and 9 ultimately accepting places.

Medical, dental, and veterinary pathways are well-established. Recent cohorts have seen five to eight students securing medical school places annually, with placements at dental and veterinary schools as well.

Beyond Oxbridge and medicine, popular destinations include Durham, King's College London, Manchester, Newcastle, Edinburgh, and Bristol. Students also progress to specialist institutions, with recent leavers joining the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Royal Northern College of Music, and Trinity Laban. The Sutton Trust has ranked Graveney among the top 100 comprehensive schools in England for Oxbridge acceptances, and it leads inner London state school sixth forms south of the river for acceptances over the decade from 2013 to 2023.

The DfE destination data from 2023-24 shows 53% of the 351-strong cohort progressing directly to university, with 22% entering employment, 5% continuing to further education, and 3% starting apprenticeships.

Entry to Year 7 is intensely competitive. The school admits 280 students annually, with 1,737 applications received for the most recent entry year, a ratio of over six applications per place.

The admissions criteria operate on two tracks. 25% of places (70 students) are allocated by performance in the Wandsworth Year 6 Test, with the highest-scoring applicants offered places. This selective element attracts candidates from a wide catchment, including those who might otherwise attend grammar schools or independent sector alternatives. The remaining 75% of places (210 students) follow a conventional priority order: looked-after children first, then siblings, children with acute medical or exceptional social needs, children of staff, and finally proximity to the school gates.

The distance criterion is tight. In 2024, the last distance offered was 0.44 miles. Distances vary annually based on applicant distribution; proximity provides priority but does not guarantee a place. Families relying on the distance route should use the FindMySchool Map Search to verify their precise distance before depending on securing a place.

Sixth form entry attracts external applicants from approximately 70 feeder schools. The school admits over 200 new students annually alongside internal progression. Entry requirements include five GCSEs at grade 4-9 including English and mathematics, with subject-specific requirements for individual A-level courses. Applications for September 2026 entry opened in October 2025, with the deadline for external applicants in early December. Open evenings typically take place in November.

The house system provides the primary pastoral structure, with students competing in form and house teams across academic and sporting competitions. Peer mentoring pairs older students with younger ones experiencing similar challenges, creating support networks that complement staff intervention.

The SENCO leads a team supporting approximately 55 students with Education, Health and Care Plans and a further 6% receiving SEN support. This proportion, higher than many comparable schools, reflects Graveney's reputation for effective provision. Learning mentors work alongside classroom teachers to ensure students with additional needs access the curriculum fully.

Behaviour expectations are clear and consistently applied. The school operates a structured approach where sanctions escalate predictably, but the emphasis falls on early intervention and relationship-based conversation. Students with difficulties receive mentoring from senior staff, including direct involvement from the principal where necessary. The Ofsted inspection rated personal development as Outstanding, noting that pastoral care supports students effectively through challenges.

The school's counselling provision addresses emotional and mental health needs. Staff training in mental health first aid has expanded in recent years, enabling earlier identification of students requiring support.

Music

Music occupies a distinctive position at Graveney, described by Ofsted as a strength of the school. Over 450 students receive instrumental tuition from a team of 25 peripatetic teachers covering strings, wind, brass, keyboard, guitar, voice, and percussion. The school subsidises lessons and uses pupil premium funding to provide free tuition for students eligible for free school meals, removing financial barriers to participation.

Five choirs serve different age groups and musical styles. The school orchestra performs regularly, and smaller ensembles cover everything from jazz to chamber music. Performances take place at venues including the Royal Festival Hall, Royal Albert Hall, Fairfield Halls, Wembley Arena, and Disneyland Paris. Several students hold places in the London Schools Symphony Orchestra, National Youth Orchestra, and junior departments of conservatoires.

The Music Scholars Programme provides additional development for exceptional musicians. Recent leavers have progressed to study music at Oxford, Cambridge, the Guildhall School, and the Royal Northern College of Music.

Sport

Physical education operates across the campus facilities, which include a running track, astroturf pitch, two tennis courts, a sports hall, and a multigym. The curriculum follows a Head, Hands, Heart framework integrating cognitive understanding, physical skill development, and personal qualities like resilience.

Rugby holds particular significance following the programme founded by Anastacia Long, who established teams across age groups from the mid-2000s until 2017 despite the absence of dedicated facilities or prior tradition. The under-15 team reached the NatWest Schools Vase final in 2014, and the under-18 girls' rugby sevens team won the London finals. Kyle Sinckler, now an England international, developed his rugby at Graveney under Long's coaching, having initially played football.

Beyond rugby, students compete in football, netball, volleyball, basketball, cricket, tennis, and athletics. Links with local clubs, including Old Ruts rugby club and Herne Hill Harriers, direct students with particular talent towards elite pathways. Students have served as Wimbledon ball boys and girls over the past decade, and two alumni have won Olympic medals.

Duke of Edinburgh and Outdoor Education

The Duke of Edinburgh Award programme has run at Graveney for almost 20 years, with over 400 students working towards awards in the 2023-24 academic year. Bronze begins in Year 9, Silver in Year 10, and Gold in Years 12 and 13.

The outdoor education programme extends beyond DofE. Year 7 students attend an Outward Bound trip; Year 8 undertakes an overnight geography field study at Box Hill. The school cites Education Endowment Foundation research showing that outdoor learning programmes can accelerate progress by four months through developing metacognition and self-regulation.

Drama and Creative Arts

The drama department stages major productions throughout the year, with recent performances including Peter Pan. The school has an annual programme of concerts, exhibitions, and performances that draw on the creative arts curriculum.

The school day runs from 8:40am to 3:00pm. Students across both campuses move between buildings for lessons, with the Welham Road crossing managed by staff during peak times.

Transport links serve the school well. Tooting Broadway and Tooting Bec Underground stations are both walkable, with bus routes passing nearby. Cycling is common, with secure storage available on site.

Parents seeking to compare local performance can use the FindMySchool Local Hub page to view Graveney's results alongside nearby alternatives using the Comparison Tool.

Competition for places. With over six applications for every Year 7 place, securing entry requires either exceptional performance in the Wandsworth Test (for the selective 25%) or living extremely close to the school (for the distance-based 75%). The last distance offered of 0.44 miles means only immediate neighbours can rely on the proximity criterion. Distances vary annually based on applicant distribution; proximity provides priority but does not guarantee a place.

Ability banding from Year 7. Students are grouped by ability from the start, with the Extension group receiving the most challenging curriculum. While movement between bands is possible, initial placement influences peer group and sometimes teaching style. Parents of children not placed in the Extension group sometimes express concern, though evidence suggests the Upper band also achieves strong outcomes.

Scale of the school. With over 2,100 students and a sixth form of 900, Graveney is large. Some students thrive in this environment, enjoying the breadth of opportunities and social diversity. Others may find the size overwhelming, particularly in the early years.

Sixth form progression. Students need five GCSEs at grade 4-9 including English and mathematics to progress internally. Those with weak Year 12 results may be advised to look for alternative courses around (noted) 20% leave after GCSEs, sometimes because they have not achieved the required grades.

Graveney delivers genuinely comprehensive education at an academic level that rivals selective and fee-paying alternatives. The combination of strong GCSE outcomes, above-average A-level grades, and exceptional university destinations, including consistent Oxbridge success, represents remarkable value in a state school setting. The diversity of the student body, with 60 languages and a genuine socio-economic mix, provides an education in community alongside the academic curriculum.

Best suited to students who will engage with the opportunities a large school provides, who can navigate scale with confidence, and whose families can secure a place through either the selective test or the tight distance criterion. For those who get in, the education available matches the best the state sector offers. Families interested in this option can use the Saved Schools feature to manage their shortlist while researching alternatives.