Rutlish School
London, SW20 9AD · Merton · secondary school
Check the area around this school
2nd of 9 secondary schools in Merton we can score. 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 — 9.5/10 against 899 of them, against 8.8/10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 63.8 · 86 | 46% | 3.95 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.68 · 90 | 38% | 3.47 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 56.1 · 87 | 15% | 1.34 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Rutlish School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 67.4% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 60.5, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.68 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 (9.7 out of 10 against similar schools, 9.0 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join the Music Tech Club, Combined Cadet Force, and Duke of Edinburgh Award. Sports include rugby, cricket, and indoor rowing. Arts activities feature the School Band and Rap and Vocal Workshops. Trips range from a ski trip to Austria to residential visits to CERN and Bruges. An after-school club is available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,471 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,500. 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 in the final year to maintain their progress? What specific support is available for students joining the Combined Cadet Force? How are places allocated for the next entry year?
What Ofsted said about Rutlish School
Overview
Leaders have created a "welcoming and aspirational culture" where the focus on "academic rigour and personal development enables pupils to excel." The school maintains "extremely high expectations" that ensure all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, receive an "exceptional education" and achieve very highly.
Strengths
- The curriculum is "highly developed and ambitious," with subject leaders designing content to build knowledge progressively and embed "subject-specific vocabulary."
- Teachers possess "strong subject knowledge," present information clearly, and use systematic checks to address misconceptions, resulting in work of "extremely high quality."
- Behaviour is described as "exemplary," with pupils demonstrating "great enthusiasm," being "friendly, polite and kind," and taking pride in their school community.
- The school identifies and meets the needs of pupils with SEND "highly effectively," using bespoke support to ensure they "achieve exceptionally well."
- Personal development is carefully planned, offering pupils leadership roles, enrichment activities, and "purposeful careers advice and guidance."
Areas to improve
The report identifies no significant areas for improvement.
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 | 55.2 |
| 2024/25 | 60.5 |
| 2025/26 | 56.1 |
| 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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