Southfields Academy Review 2026: An Ambitious Community Hub with Strong Progress

In a vibrant corner of Wandsworth where residential streets meet the green expanse of Wimbledon Park, Southfields Academy stands as a significant educational anchor. This large, mixed secondary school and sixth form serves over 1,300 students, offering a curriculum that balances academic rigour with extensive vocational pathways. The 2024 results confirm a school performing with consistency, sitting in line with the middle 35% of schools in England (25th to 60th percentile) for both GCSE and A level outcomes. What distinguishes Southfields is its Progress 8 score of +0.48, which indicates that students here make significantly more progress from their starting points than the average student in England.

The atmosphere at Southfields Academy is one of purposeful energy. The campus is extensive, reflecting its capacity for over 1,600 students, yet it manages to feel structured and orderly. Ms Wanda Golinska has led the school as headteacher since 2009, providing a sense of stability and a clear, inclusive vision. The academy serves a diverse urban community, and this is reflected in a culture that celebrates breadth of achievement, whether in the classroom, on the sports field, or within the specialist Hearing Impaired Resource Base that supports students with specific needs.

Under Ms Golinska’s leadership, the academy has cultivated an environment where high expectations are standard. The 2023 Ofsted inspection awarded a rating of Good, with inspectors noting that students feel safe and well supported. The school motto, International Opportunity, reflects its commitment to preparing students for a globalised world, a sentiment echoed in the wide range of languages offered and the global perspectives embedded in the curriculum.

The academy ranks 1,995th in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), and ranks 17th among secondaries in Wandsworth. The Attainment 8 score of 47 is solid, but the real story lies in the progress data. The Progress 8 score of +0.48 is well above the England average, suggesting that the teaching effectively adds value to every student, regardless of their academic level upon entry.

At post-16 level, performance remains reliable. Ranked 1,317th in England and 8th in Wandsworth for A level outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), the academy achieves results that align with national trends. In 2024, over half of students (50.49%) achieved A*-B grades at A level. While the percentage of students achieving top A* and A grades (18.63%) sits slightly below the England average of 23.6%, the school remains a strong local choice for those seeking steady academic advancement.

Teaching at Southfields is designed to be accessible yet challenging. The curriculum in the lower years is broad, with a strong emphasis on the core subjects of English, mathematics, and science. As students move toward GCSEs, the academy offers a dual track approach: a traditional academic route for those pursuing the EBacc, and a wide array of vocational and technical qualifications for those with more practical interests.

Teachers are noted for their subject expertise and their ability to tailor lessons to a diverse range of abilities. The presence of specialist classes and the Hearing Impaired Resource Base means that staff are well versed in differentiated instruction. In the sixth form, the subject choice is particularly impressive, ranging from traditional A levels like Further Mathematics and Philosophy to more contemporary vocational courses in Media and Business.

Where Students Go Next

Southfields Academy operates a successful pipeline to higher education and employment. According to 2024 leaver data, 55% of students progressed to university, while 14% entered direct employment. A smaller number (6%) chose further education colleges, and 2% secured apprenticeships.

The academy’s academic ceiling is high; in the most recent measurement period, one student successfully secured a place at the University of Cambridge. While the school does not publish a full list of Russell Group destinations, popular choices for leavers typically include London based institutions like Kingston, Roehampton, and City, University of London, reflecting the local aspirations of many students. Families comparing local performance can use the Local Hub page to view these results side by side using the Comparison Tool.

Southfields Academy is a popular choice within Wandsworth, often operating at or near capacity. For the most recent Reception age entry route (handled through its associated primary links), there were 380 applications for 140 places, resulting in a subscription proportion of 2.71. This confirms that the academy is oversubscribed, with nearly three applicants for every available place.

Admissions are coordinated by Wandsworth Borough Council. Priority is given to looked after children, those with an EHCP naming the school, and siblings of current students. Following these criteria, places are allocated based on distance from the school gates. Parents should use the FindMySchool Map Search to check their precise distance from the school gates compared to the last distance offered.

The pastoral system is a clear strength of the academy. Students are assigned to tutor groups which form the primary point of contact for daily support. The school employs a large team of non-teaching pastoral support workers, ensuring that there is always a dedicated adult available to handle emotional or social concerns.

Behaviour is managed through a clear system of rewards and sanctions that students describe as fair. The latest Ofsted report highlighted that the school is a calm environment where bullying is dealt with effectively. Wellbeing is further supported through regular assemblies and a PHSE curriculum that covers mental health, online safety, and healthy relationships.

The extracurricular life at Southfields is extensive, benefiting from the school's large scale and excellent facilities. The Aspire Centre, the academy's on site community sports and fitness hub, provides students with access to high quality gym equipment, dance studios, and sports halls.

STEM Excellence

The academy places significant emphasis on STEM subjects. The Meccatronix Club and the Coding Society are popular among younger students, while older students have the opportunity to participate in national mathematics challenges and science olympiads.

In addition to STEM, the creative arts are well represented. The school frequently stages drama productions in its dedicated theatre space and hosts an annual summer arts festival. Sports teams are competitive across Wandsworth, particularly in football, basketball, and athletics.

The school day typically begins at 8:30am and concludes at 3:10pm, though many students remain for after school clubs until 4:15pm. The academy is well served by public transport; it is a short walk from Southfields Underground Station (District Line) and is on several major bus routes including the 39, 156, and 493. There is limited on site parking for visitors, but the school is easily accessible by foot from the surrounding residential areas.

• Large School Environment: With over 1,300 students, Southfields is a large institution. While the pastoral care is strong, children who are particularly shy or who thrive in smaller settings might find the scale of the academy overwhelming.
• Oversubscribed Status: With 2.71 applications per place, securing a spot is not guaranteed. Families living outside the immediate Southfields area may find it difficult to secure a place once siblings and local priority cases are processed.
• Vocational Focus: While A level results are solid, the school has a very strong lean toward vocational and technical pathways. Families seeking a purely academic hothouse environment may find the school’s broad curriculum less suited to their specific goals.

Southfields Academy is a resilient and high achieving community school that excels in moving students forward from their individual starting points. Its exceptional progress scores and stable leadership make it a reliable choice for families in Wandsworth. Best suited to students who want a broad, modern education with strong pastoral support and those who may benefit from a curriculum that values vocational success as highly as academic grades. Families interested in this option can use the Saved Schools feature to manage their shortlist.