Caterham High School, Ilford

In its own words: "As a comprehensive school for students aged 11 to 18, we are committed to discovering and nurturing the abilities of every child through The Caterham Way. Setting the highest expectations in terms of learning and behaviour, we are justifiably proud of the academic achievements of our students, most of whom join our thriving sixth form, with many progressing to university."

From the headteacher's welcome: "Caterham High has been at the heart of the local community for over 60 years providing an excellent education for all young people that join our thriving institution. We are ambitious for our students, setting high aspirations in all that they do."

The school runs after-school care.

Coming up: an open evening on Wednesday 4 November 2026 at 11am. Check the school's website before you go, as dates can change.

In 2026, pupils at Caterham High School averaged an Attainment 8 score of 44.2, the average grade across their best eight GCSEs. The average state school scored 55.7 in Redbridge and 47 across England.

42% passed English and maths at grade 5 or above, against 63% in Redbridge and 47% in England.

That is in line with 2025, when the score was 44.3.

Its most recent Progress 8 score, for 2024, was -0.31: pupils made below average progress compared with pupils nationally who started secondary school at the same level. Progress 8 was not published for 2026.

Disadvantaged pupils averaged an Attainment 8 of 41.9, against 46.1 for other pupils at the school - a gap of 4.2 points.

Pupils sat GCSEs in 24 subjects; after English and maths, the most popular were Combined Science, Business Studies and Geography.

For September 2026 entry, 48 families put Caterham High School as their first choice and 241 named it as one of their preferences, for 117 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. 1 family who put it first was not offered a place there.

The nearest other state secondary schools to Caterham High School are Ilford County High School (0.7 miles, Good, selective, Attainment 8 77); Beal High School (0.7 miles, Good, Attainment 8 54.8); King Solomon High School (1.1 miles, Requires improvement, Attainment 8 49.5); and West Hatch High School (1.3 miles, Good, Attainment 8 51).

Each of them had higher 2026 results than Caterham High School.

Of the 144 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 89% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 42% to a further education college and 1% into work.

Of the 105 students who left the sixth form in 2023/24, 62% went on to university or other higher education, 1% to apprenticeships and 13% into work. 7% went to one of the most selective third of universities.

40.9% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), and 86.1% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are Asian (51%), Black (11%) and Mixed (10%).

In 2026, 83 pupils (8.7%) received SEN support and 61 (6.4%) had an education, health and care plan, against 16.2% and 4.6% at the average state school. The most common need among them is autism.

Caterham High School has a resourced provision for hearing impairment and autism: 47 places, 35 pupils on roll.

The nearest tram or metro stop is Gants Hill Station, about 1.1 miles away in a straight line.

5 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Caterham Avenue Clayhall, 260 metres away.

In 2024/25, Caterham High School issued 151 suspensions, 15.2 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and 5 permanent exclusions.

The primary schools closest to Caterham High School are Glade Primary School (0.2 miles), Parkhill Infants' School (0.4 miles), Parkhill Junior School (0.4 miles) and Gilbert Colvin Primary School (0.4 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.