St Matthew Academy
London, SE3 0XX · Lewisham · all-through school
Check the area around this school
2nd of 13 secondary schools in Lewisham we can score, 14 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 — 9.2/10 against 690 of them, against 7.9/10 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 | 53.7 · 71 | 46% | 3.26 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.57 · 87 | 38% | 3.34 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 54.2 · 83 | 15% | 1.28 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
St Matthew Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 40.1% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 47.2, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.57 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 (7.9 out of 10 against similar schools, 6.1 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils attend trips to Aylesford Priory Retreat and the Big Lent Walk. The school provides both a breakfast club and an after-school club.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,063 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,650. 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 their progress from primary to secondary phases? What specific support is available for students aiming to raise their Attainment 8 scores? How are the breakfast and after-school clubs structured to support daily routines?
What Ofsted said about St Matthew Academy
Overview
Pupils at St Matthew Academy receive an "exceptional education" that prepares them extremely well for the next stage of their schooling. The school fosters a "nurturing and caring approach" where pupils feel secure, behave very well, and take pride in their work. Leadership is described as "exceptional," with a clear strategic vision shared by the headteacher, governing body, and academy trust.
Strengths
- The curriculum is "ambitious and carefully designed," enabling pupils to acquire "exceptionally detailed knowledge" which they recall with confidence.
- Staff have "strong subject knowledge" and use "skilful questioning" to address misconceptions quickly, resulting in high standards in reading, writing, and mathematics.
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) receive "tailored support" with "sensitive and appropriate adaptations" to access the full curriculum.
- The school offers an "exceptional enrichment offer" with numerous opportunities to develop leadership skills and talents.
- Personal development is supported through initiatives like "retreat days" and a comprehensive careers programme, helping pupils become "safe, healthy and well prepared for life in modern Britain."
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 | 50.1 |
| 2024/25 | 47.2 |
| 2025/26 | 54.2 |
| 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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