City of London Academy Highbury Grove
London, N5 2EQ · Islington · secondary school
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8th of 9 secondary schools in Islington we can score, 10 in total — the rest without enough published data. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still — 6.6/10 against 182 of them, against 4.4/10 nationally. Both figures are results only, without the inspection grade. A lower figure here means a stronger comparison group, not a weaker school.
How this is worked out
| Measure | Percentile | Weight | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ofsted | 52 | 34% | 1.79 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 38.9 · 35 | 30% | 1.05 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.09 · 57 | 25% | 1.44 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 44.0 · 39 | 10% | 0.40 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
City of London Academy Highbury Grove overview
How it's doing
The school was rated Good by Ofsted in June 2022. In 2024/25, 44.7% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 45.4, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.09 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did better than those nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (7.8 out of 10 against similar schools, 5.3 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils participate in clubs including Film Week, Literary London, Music Production Masterclass, Fashion Textiles, London Explorers, Code Breakers, Adventure City, and Summer Rewards Fayre. Sports activities include Mind, Body & Basketball Camp and a Football Academy. Trips include a Paris cultural tour and an Outward Bound adventure in the Lake District.
Getting in
The published school roll is 892 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,200. These whole-school figures do not establish entry-year vacancies or the likelihood of an offer. Confirm entry-year availability and admissions criteria with the school or local authority.
Worth asking on a visit
How does the school support pupils to maintain progress from their starting point? What specific support is available for pupils who need extra help in English and maths?
What Ofsted said about City of London Academy Highbury Grove
Overview
The report describes a school where pupils feel happy and safe within a calm, diverse community. Leaders have established an ambitious, well-sequenced curriculum that challenges pupils and supports their personal development. The inspection concludes that the school is improving, with staff pride and strong leadership driving positive outcomes.
Strengths
- Pupils benefit from an "ambitious curriculum that is broad and balanced," with content becoming more challenging over time.
- Teachers use regular assessment and memory-testing activities to help pupils retain key knowledge and skills.
- Behaviour is typically good, with bullying "clamped down" and incidents dealt with "swiftly and sensitively."
- Extra-curricular provision is comprehensive, including sports, robotics, and leadership opportunities through the student union.
- Personal, social and health education is "well planned and sequenced," preparing older pupils for future careers and life.
Areas to improve
- Leaders must ensure monitoring of classroom provision for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) is "more robust," as some teachers do not make appropriate adaptations.
- Leaders must ensure staff are trained to deliver face-to-face phonics instruction to support pupils who find reading challenging.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with staff trained on topical issues and a culture of vigilance where leaders believe "it could happen here."
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 47.2 |
| 2024/25 | 45.4 |
| 2025/26 | 44.0 |
| England | 44.9 |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 3,682 state schools in England we hold a 2025/26 figure for — a school-level median, not the DfE's pupil-weighted national figure.
Your offer chance
—Based on official applications/offers, distance and catchment where we have it. Bands only — never a percentage.
Sibling, faith, looked-after and other criteria can override distance. Always confirm with the school or local authority.
Next dates
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2026
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2027
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2027
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2028
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