The Elms Academy
London, SW4 9ET · Lambeth · secondary school
Check the area around this school
4th of 16 secondary schools in Lambeth 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 — 9.4/10 against 269 of them, against 8.3/10 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 | 54.5 · 72 | 30% | 2.17 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.91 · 96 | 25% | 2.41 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 52.7 · 80 | 10% | 0.80 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
The Elms Academy overview
How it's doing
The school is rated Good by Ofsted following an inspection in June 2025. In 2024/25, 48.7% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 52.8, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.91 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 (9.2 out of 10 against similar schools, 7.8 out of 10 against all schools).
Getting in
The published school roll is 865 pupils against a stated capacity of 875. 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 raising their English and maths attainment to meet national expectations? What specific extracurricular opportunities are available to students during the school day? How does the school manage class sizes given the current proximity to full capacity?
What Ofsted said about The Elms Academy
Overview
This ungraded inspection found that the school’s work “may have improved significantly across all areas” since the previous inspection, prompting a future graded inspection. Pupils receive an “exceptional education” within a “caring, friendly, and highly aspirational ethos” where they achieve extremely well and are thoroughly prepared for their next steps.
Strengths
- The curriculum is “ambitious” with “subject specific vocabulary... carefully considered and embedded,” enabling pupils to develop a “deep understanding” and retain knowledge long-term.
- Teachers possess “expert subject knowledge” and use effective strategies to “address misconceptions quickly,” resulting in work of “very high-quality.”
- The school identifies and meets the needs of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) “very effectively,” ensuring they “achieve very highly.”
- Behaviour is described as “exceptional,” with pupils demonstrating “highly positive attitudes” and a strong commitment to learning.
- A “thoughtful personal development programme” helps pupils understand diverse beliefs, fostering “tolerance and respect for all.”
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 | 53.7 |
| 2024/25 | 52.8 |
| 2025/26 | 52.7 |
| 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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