The City Academy, Hackney
London, E9 6EA · Hackney · secondary school
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6th of 16 secondary schools in Hackney 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 — 9.8/10 against 181 of them, against 8.4/10 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 | 35% | 1.84 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 62.2 · 84 | 30% | 2.52 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.56 · 86 | 25% | 2.16 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 53.2 · 81 | 10% | 0.81 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
The City Academy, Hackney overview
How it's doing
The school is rated Good by Ofsted, last inspected in 2023. In 2024/25, 48.4% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 49.1, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.56 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 (9.1 out of 10 against similar schools, 7.2 out of 10 against all schools).
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,149 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,170. 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 reach the national median in Attainment 8? What specific support is available for students aiming to improve their Progress 8 scores?
What Ofsted said about The City Academy, Hackney
Overview
The report describes a school where pupils are kept safe within a ‘warm but strict’ environment that fosters calm and purposeful learning. Leaders have developed an ambitious curriculum, ‘The City Experience’, which places equal value on academic, creative, and sporting subjects, resulting in strong pupil achievement, particularly in the sixth form. While the school is well-led and staff feel supported, there are specific inconsistencies in how support is tailored for pupils with special educational needs and those struggling with reading.
Strengths
- The curriculum is ‘broad and balanced’, with subject leaders carefully sequencing knowledge so pupils embed understanding before tackling complex ideas.
- Teachers demonstrate ‘excellent subject knowledge’ and use precise structures and regular assessments to deepen learning, especially in the sixth form.
- Pupils benefit from a wide range of enrichment opportunities, including a compulsory additional studies programme, extended school days, and leadership roles.
- Personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education is ‘well sequenced’, helping pupils feel knowledgeable about their future destinations and personal safety.
- Leaders are ‘highly reflective’ and actively work to include parents and carers in the school’s work.
Areas to improve
- Support for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) is not always ‘tailored closely to their individual needs’, reducing how well they learn the intended curriculum.
- Work to support weaker readers is ‘not fully established’, with some interventions lacking sufficient focus on pupils’ specific difficulties.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with a strong culture, appropriately trained staff, and regular training ensuring pupils know how to stay safe and whom to speak to.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 53.1 |
| 2024/25 | 49.1 |
| 2025/26 | 53.2 |
| 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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