City of London Academy, Highgate Hill, London

In its own words: "To create an academy that will exemplify ‘Outstanding’ secondary practice, evidenced by excellent attainment and progress for all pupils. We aim to develop well-rounded individuals . To develop well-rounded young adults who achieve to the best of their abilities, display the highest standards of professionalism, are socially responsible and actively committed to supporting their local and global communities."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include football, basketball, badminton, dance, chess, coding, art, film, debating and homework club.

In 2026, pupils at City of London Academy, Highgate Hill averaged an Attainment 8 score of 45.5, the average grade across their best eight GCSEs. The average state school scored 50.3 in Islington and 47 across England.

47% passed English and maths at grade 5 or above, against 52% in Islington and 47% in England.

That is up from 40.3 in 2025.

Its most recent Progress 8 score, for 2024, was 0.12: pupils made above 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 42.4, against 51 for other pupils at the school - a gap of 8.6 points.

Pupils sat GCSEs in 20 subjects; after English and maths, the most popular were Combined Science, Statistics and Sports Studies.

For September 2026 entry, 69 families put City of London Academy, Highgate Hill as their first choice and 220 named it as one of their preferences, for 102 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state secondary schools to City of London Academy, Highgate Hill are St Aloysius' College (0.4 miles, Attainment 8 51.5); Arts and Media School Islington (0.6 miles, Good, Attainment 8 40.2); Acland Burghley School (0.9 miles, Good, Attainment 8 55.2); and Highgate Wood Secondary School (0.9 miles, Good, Attainment 8 53.1).

City of London Academy, Highgate Hill's 2026 results were higher than 1 of these 4 schools.

City of London Academy, Highgate Hill is one of 12 schools run by City of London Academies Trust, an academy trust.

Across the trust's secondary schools, pupils averaged an Attainment 8 score of 47.4 in 2024/25.

Of the 112 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 90% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 30% to a further education college and 1% into work.

Of the 27 students who left the sixth form in 2023/24, 63% went on to university or other higher education and 19% into work.

55.9% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), and 43.4% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are Black (40%), other ethnic groups (14%) and Mixed (13%).

In 2026, 101 pupils (15.8%) received SEN support and 15 (2.3%) 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 speech, language and communication needs.

The nearest railway station is Upper Holloway Station, about 450 metres away (roughly a 6-minute walk).

7 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Cressida Road, 120 metres away.

In 2024/25, City of London Academy, Highgate Hill issued 245 suspensions, 38.2 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The primary schools closest to City of London Academy, Highgate Hill are Duncombe Primary School (0.3 miles), Whitehall Park School (0.3 miles), St John's Upper Holloway CofE Primary School (0.4 miles) and St Mark's CofE Primary School (0.4 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.