City of London Academy, Highgate Hill
London, N19 3EU · Islington · secondary school
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7th 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 — 7.5/10 against 133 of them, against 5.6/10 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 | 35% | 1.84 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 47.4 · 57 | 30% | 1.70 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.12 · 58 | 25% | 1.46 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 45.5 · 47 | 10% | 0.47 |
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, Highgate Hill overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 33.0% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 40.3, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.12 in 2023/24, indicating better progress than pupils nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (6.3 out of 10 against similar schools, 3.6 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Good in July 2024.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join Mandarin, Chinese Calligraphy, Debate Mate, Chess, Arts and Crafts, String, Film, and EAL clubs. Sports include Boxing, Fencing, Basketball, Badminton, Football, and Handball. Arts and music options cover Creative writing, Pottery, Woodwork, Dance, DJ Skill, Japanese Textiles, and Music Scholars. An after-school club is available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 641 pupils against a stated capacity of 900. 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 close the gap between their current attainment and the national median? What specific support is available for students in the EAL club? How does the school maintain its Good Ofsted rating
What Ofsted said about City of London Academy, Highgate Hill
Overview
Leaders have raised standards since the previous inspection, establishing high expectations for all pupils. The curriculum has been revised to be more ambitious, helping pupils build cumulative knowledge securely across a broad range of subjects. Sixth-form provision is described as outstanding, with students benefiting from tailored courses and exceptional pastoral support that prepares them well for future studies.
Strengths
- Pupils engage in two weekly enrichment activities, such as fencing and Latin, which help them "deepen their interests and widen their horizons."
- A new behaviour system, ‘TOP’, has created clear routines, resulting in learning that proceeds with "little disruption."
- Sixth-form students are "ambitious for themselves" and work hard, receiving detailed advice that enables them to produce high-quality work.
- Staff identify pupils struggling with reading early, providing support to improve fluency and confidence.
- The school offers a "rich variety" of subjects, with high numbers of pupils studying the English Baccalaureate.
Areas to improve
- Leaders must ensure information about pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) is used routinely to adapt teaching and resources to meet individual needs.
- The school should improve communication with parents regarding actions taken to address bullying, ensuring they feel "sufficiently reassured" that issues are resolved effectively.
Safeguarding
The report states that "the arrangements for safeguarding are effective."
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 45.5 |
| 2024/25 | 40.3 |
| 2025/26 | 45.5 |
| 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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