The hardest schools to get into in Lambeth
Secondary: 82 families put Woodmansterne School first in 2026 and 21 of them (26%) were offered a place.
Reception: 62 families put Jessop Primary School first in 2026 and 27 of them (44%) were offered a place.
Every state school in Lambeth with at least 20 first-choice applicants, hardest first. Of the families who put the school first on their application, the share who were offered a place there. Data: Department for Education.
Secondary schools (Year 7)
| # | School | Put it first | Of them, offered | Places |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Woodmansterne School · London | 82 | 21 (26%) | 24 |
| 2 | Bishop Thomas Grant Catholic Secondary School · London · faith | 304 | 160 (53%) | 176 |
| 3 | The Elms Academy · London · faith | 162 | 90 (56%) | 130 |
| 4 | Dunraven School · LONDON | 156 | 94 (60%) | 152 |
| 5 | Oasis Academy South Bank · London | 153 | 93 (61%) | 116 |
| 6 | The Norwood School · London | 199 | 124 (62%) | 174 |
| 7 | Lilian Baylis Technology School · London | 111 | 86 (78%) | 119 |
| 8 | The Elmgreen School · London | 120 | 100 (83%) | 172 |
| 9 | La Retraite Roman Catholic Girls' School · London · faith | 91 | 87 (96%) | 150 |
| 10 | Platanos College · London | 67 | 67 (100%) | 99 |
| 11 | Harris Academy Clapham · London | 57 | 57 (100%) | 100 |
| 12 | Saint Gabriel's College · London · faith | 55 | 55 (100%) | 101 |
| 13 | Trinity Academy · London | 47 | 47 (100%) | 78 |
| 14 | Ark Evelyn Grace Academy · London | 25 | 25 (100%) | 51 |
| 15 | London Nautical, City of London Academy · London | 24 | 24 (100%) | 35 |
Primary schools (Reception)
Getting into a school in Lambeth
What is the hardest school to get into in Lambeth?
For secondary places, 82 families put Woodmansterne School first in 2026 and 21 of them (26%) were offered a place. For Reception, 62 families put Jessop Primary School first and 27 of them (44%) were offered a place.
How many families in Lambeth get their first-choice school?
61.4% of families applying for a secondary place got their first preference, and 80.6% of those applying for Reception did (offers for September 2026).
Does putting a school first improve our chances?
Not at the other schools you name. Councils in England use an equal-preference system: every school you list is considered against its own admissions criteria, and if more than one could offer a place you get the one you ranked highest. So list schools in your genuine order of preference, and include at least one you are very likely to get.
What does "last distance offered" mean?
For schools that give places by distance, it is how far from the school the last child offered a place under that criterion lived. It changes every year with the number and location of applicants, so treat it as a guide, not a guarantee. We show it where Lambeth published it in its admissions booklet.