The hardest schools to get into in Lewisham
Secondary: 305 families put Bonus Pastor Catholic College first in 2026 and 151 of them (50%) were offered a place.
Reception: 47 families put Horniman Primary School first in 2026 and 28 of them (60%) were offered a place.
Every state school in Lewisham 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 | Bonus Pastor Catholic College · Bromley · faith | 305 | 151 (50%) | 172 |
| 2 | Prendergast School · London | 159 | 97 (61%) | 115 |
| 3 | Prendergast Ladywell School · Lewisham | 120 | 74 (62%) | 110 |
| 4 | St Matthew Academy · London · faith | 134 | 83 (62%) | 155 |
| 5 | Sedgehill Academy · London | 168 | 122 (73%) | 176 |
| 6 | Forest Hill School · London | 126 | 99 (79%) | 168 |
| 7 | Trinity Church of England School, Lewisham · London · faith | 59 | 48 (81%) | 90 |
| 8 | Sydenham School · London | 217 | 179 (83%) | 235 |
| 9 | Haberdashers' Hatcham College · London | 210 | 175 (83%) | 218 |
| 10 | Deptford Green School · London | 150 | 137 (91%) | 168 |
| 11 | Haberdashers' Knights Academy · Bromley | 72 | 72 (100%) | 120 |
| 12 | Addey and Stanhope School · London | 61 | 61 (100%) | 85 |
| 13 | Conisborough College · London | 55 | 55 (100%) | 98 |
| 14 | Prendergast Vale School · London | 35 | 35 (100%) | 64 |
Primary schools (Reception)
Getting into a school in Lewisham
What is the hardest school to get into in Lewisham?
For secondary places, 305 families put Bonus Pastor Catholic College first in 2026 and 151 of them (50%) were offered a place. For Reception, 47 families put Horniman Primary School first and 28 of them (60%) were offered a place.
How many families in Lewisham get their first-choice school?
63.5% of families applying for a secondary place got their first preference, and 87.4% 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 Lewisham published it in its admissions booklet.