Fortismere School, London

In its own words: "Fortismere is a mixed foundation secondary school in Muswell Hill, North London, set on a spacious 20-acre site, where academic ambition, curiosity and creativity converge. This combination sits at the heart of our Vision and Values which underpin all we do and all we stand for."

From the headteacher's welcome: "Welcome to Fortismere School, where I am privileged to serve as Headteacher."

In 2026, pupils at Fortismere School averaged an Attainment 8 score of 60.9, the average grade across their best eight GCSEs. The average state school scored 49.3 in Haringey and 47 across England.

73% passed English and maths at grade 5 or above, against 50% in Haringey and 47% in England.

That is up from 58.1 in 2025.

Its most recent Progress 8 score, for 2024, was 0.49: 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 46.6, against 63.2 for other pupils at the school - a gap of 16.6 points.

Pupils sat GCSEs in 29 subjects; after English and maths, the most popular were Combined Science, History and Biology.

For September 2026 entry, 178 families put Fortismere School as their first choice and 1175 named it as one of their preferences, for 257 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. 38 families who put it first were not offered a place there.

The nearest other state secondary schools to Fortismere School are The Archer Academy (0.8 miles, Outstanding, Attainment 8 61.6); Alexandra Park School (0.9 miles, Outstanding, Attainment 8 61.9); Highgate Wood Secondary School (1.1 miles, Good, Attainment 8 53.1); and Bishop Douglass School Finchley (1.2 miles, Good, Attainment 8 47.3).

Fortismere School's 2026 results were higher than 2 of these 4 schools.

Of the 262 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 95% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 16% to a further education college and 0% into work.

Of the 246 students who left the sixth form in 2023/24, 63% went on to university or other higher education, 0% to apprenticeships and 11% into work. 41% went to one of the most selective third of universities.

12.8% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), according to the 2026 school census.

The nearest tram or metro stop is East Finchley, about 1120 metres away (roughly a 14-minute walk).

8 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Fortismere Avenue (->e), 200 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 323 crimes within a mile of the school, most often anti-social behaviour, violence and sexual offences and vehicle crime. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Haringey (982).

In 2024/25, Fortismere School issued 101 suspensions, 5.7 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The primary schools closest to Fortismere School are Our Lady of Muswell Catholic Primary School (0.1 miles), Eden Primary (0.2 miles), Coldfall Primary School (0.3 miles) and Tetherdown Primary School (0.3 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.