Evolve Academy, London

Ofsted's report card from its 24 March 2026 inspection grades Evolve Academy on 6 areas: 3 expected standard and 3 needs attention. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Achievement - Expected standard. "When pupils join the school, leaders identify what pupils know and can do, particularly in reading, writing and mathematics."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "The school provides a network of staff and external agencies that supports and cares for pupils."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "Pupils benefit from the school's clear and structured approach to personal development."

Attendance and behaviour - Needs attention. "Some pupils have infrequent attendance or are persistently absent."

Curriculum and teaching - Needs attention. "Teaching is variable in quality across subjects."

Leadership and governance - Needs attention. "Leaders, including governors and trustees, understand the school's challenges and context."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should ensure that they identify trends and patterns in pupils' attendance with greater rigour. Leaders should use their analysis of pupils' attendance to inform timely and effective work that removes barriers to pupils' regular attendance and punctuality"; "Leaders should ensure that teachers adapt the curriculum and teaching to meet pupils' needs and engage pupils deeply in their learning. This includes making sure that staff consistently use identified strategies to support pupils' learning"; "Leaders, including trustees and local governors, should ensure that they establish clear and rigorous systems of oversight and quality assurance of school provision so that leaders' improvement actions have the intended impact".

In its own words: "Ethos British Values We set high standards at Evolve Academy but acknowledge that they are all individuals, so endeavour to do what is best for each and every one of them. The students in our SEMH and AP provisions, are unique young people who can be fragile and often need a lot of constant and consistent support."

From the headteacher's welcome: "We are an all through (KS1 - KS4) alternative provision in Lambeth, providing education for pupils who, because of exclusion, illness or other reasons, would not otherwise receive suitable education; education arranged by schools for pupils on a fixed period exclusion; and pupils being directed by schools to off-site provision to improve their behaviour."

Across Lambeth, 61% of families were offered their first-choice secondary school for 2026 entry, and 91% were offered one of the schools they named.

In 2026, families in Lambeth lodged 84 appeals against secondary school offers; 61 reached a hearing and 6 succeeded (9.8% of those heard).

The nearest other state secondary schools to Evolve Academy are Ark All Saints Academy (0.4 miles, Good, Attainment 8 52.1); Saint Gabriel's College (0.5 miles, Good, Attainment 8 43.4); Lilian Baylis Technology School (0.5 miles, Outstanding, Attainment 8 43.1); and Sacred Heart Catholic School (0.7 miles, Outstanding, Attainment 8 57.4).

Evolve Academy is one of 7 schools run by Alternative Learning Trust, an academy trust.

Of the 20 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 30% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 25% to a further education college and 5% to an apprenticeship.

71.8% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 7 pupils (9.9%) received SEN support and 47 (66.2%) 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 social, emotional and mental health needs.

The nearest Underground station is Oval Underground Station, about 420 metres away (roughly a 5-minute walk).

16 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Kennington Park, 290 metres away.

The primary schools closest to Evolve Academy are Henry Fawcett Primary School (0.3 miles), Keyworth Primary School (0.3 miles), St John the Divine Church of England Primary School (0.3 miles) and Ashmole Primary School (0.4 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.