Swanlea School
London, E1 5DJ · Tower Hamlets · secondary school
Check the area around this school
1st of 17 secondary schools in Tower Hamlets we can score, 18 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 — 9.8/10 against 487 of them, against 9.1/10 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 | 94 | 35% | 3.29 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 68.2 · 89 | 30% | 2.67 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.81 · 94 | 25% | 2.35 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 58.7 · 91 | 10% | 0.91 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Swanlea School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 63.8% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 56.9, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.81 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 (9.8 out of 10 against similar schools, 9.0 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Outstanding in June 2024.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join the Media Team, Art & Controversy, Duke of Edinburgh, Passion for MFL, Public speaking skills, English Short Stories, Media Literacy, and Sound Trap clubs. Sports include Weekly Fitness Sessions and the London challenge. Arts and music activities feature From Page to Stage, Mock Trials, Talk the Talk public speaking workshops, and the Worshipful Company of Educators Sheriff’s Challenge. Trips include a South End outdoors cultural visit and university visits/residentials. An after-school club is available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,253 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,260. 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 many places are there in the entry year, and how many families applied last year?
What Ofsted said about Swanlea School
Overview
Leaders maintain "very high expectations" for all pupils, delivering a "well-thought-through curriculum" that ensures students "know more and remember more over time." The school fosters an environment where pupils are "safe and happy," characterised by "exceptional" behaviour and "extremely positive working relationships" with staff.
Strengths
- The curriculum is carefully sequenced so pupils "revisit content" to aid retention, leading to high achievement in subjects like religious education and history.
- "All teachers are subject specialists" who use their expertise effectively, routinely checking that pupils have understood and remembered what was taught.
- Personal development is described as "exemplary," with pupils engaging in charity fundraising, music, drama, and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme.
- There are "clear systems" for supporting disadvantaged pupils and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), ensuring they "excel" with targeted assistance.
- Reading is a high priority; pupils read widely across all subjects, and staff quickly support those who struggle to develop "reading fluency and confidence."
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 | 56.1 |
| 2024/25 | 56.9 |
| 2025/26 | 58.7 |
| 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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