London Academy of Excellence, London
London Academy of Excellence is a post-16 school for pupils aged 16 to 19 in London. It was rated Outstanding at its last graded Ofsted inspection, in October 2017. Ofsted's ungraded inspection in March 2024 did not change this grade.
- Ofsted
- Outstanding (2017)
Data last updated 26 Oct 2026
London Academy of Excellence in detail
London Academy of Excellence in its own words
In its own words: "London Academy of Excellence (LAE) is the academic sixth form for independent thinkers. We cultivate expertise and character traits to enable students from all backgrounds to access the most demanding, most rewarding degrees, degree-equivalent courses, and professions. We want to develop academically resilient learners who are fully prepared to lead happy, productive adult lives and to contribute positively to society."
From the headteacher's welcome: "The London Academy of Excellence (LAE) is a sixth form school with a clear and unwavering mission: to ensure that talented young people, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, have access to the opportunities their ability and ambition deserve."
Vision and values (school website)Headteacher's welcome (school website)
Source: The school's own website
Where pupils go next
Of the 237 students who left the sixth form in 2023/24, 81% went on to university or other higher education, 3% to apprenticeships and 5% into work. 68% went to one of the most selective third of universities.
Who goes there
36% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, and 27.8% speak English as an additional language, according to the 2026 school census.
The largest ethnic groups are Asian (45%), Black (17%) and Mixed (9%).
In 2026, 21 pupils (4%) received SEN support and 5 (1%) had an education, health and care plan. The most common need among them is autism.
Getting there
The nearest tram or metro stop is Stratford High Street, about 140 metres away (roughly a 2-minute walk).
16 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Stratford Bus Station, 100 metres away.
Suspensions and exclusions
London Academy of Excellence recorded no suspensions or permanent exclusions in 2024/25.
Sources: DfE destination measures; DfE school census and special educational needs statistics; NaPTAN (Department for Transport); DfE exclusions statistics
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 3 years agoThis judgement is from October 2017, 9 years ago, longer than Ofsted's usual 4-year cycle: the school may have changed since.
Overall
Leadership & Management
Safeguarding: effective
Source: Ofsted, further education and skills inspections and outcomes (Open Government Licence)
Ofsted Insights
Ofsted rated this school Outstanding at its October 2017 inspection.
Rated Outstanding for
Leadership & management.
About
The London Academy of Excellence, Stratford (LAE) is a selective free school sixth form school located in the Stratford area of the London Borough of Newham, England. It has approximately 500 pupils and 32 teachers.
From Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
At a Glance
36.0%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
No
Special Measures
Sixth Form Performance (A-Level)
A-Level Results
A-
Average grade
47.8
Points per entry
A-
Best 3 A-Levels
55%
Achieving AAB+
Above average
Value added
232
A-Level students
98%
Retention rate
2024/25 academic year
A-Level Subjects Offered
2024/25 academic year - entries by number of students
After A-Levels - Leaver Destinations
After A-Levels (Year 13) - 237 students
2023/24 data
University & Higher Education Destinations
68%
Top-third university
84%
Degree course
93%
Any L4+ destination
6%
Apprenticeships
Based on 229 students completing 16-18 study
2022/23 cohort - "Top-third" = most selective third of UK universities by student intake
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 5 nearby schools
Keep up with London Academy of Excellence
Getting There
Train Stations
Tube / Metro / Tram
Bus Stops
Safety and surroundings
Road collisions within 500 m (2021 to 2025)
- Collisions
- 228
- Fatal
- 2
- Serious
- 34
- Children hurt
- 14
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 228 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: 2 fatal, 34 serious and 192 slight.
14 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt: 10 on foot and 4 in a vehicle or otherwise.
30 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included.
The typical figure for schools in Newham is 110 (the median across 113 schools, same distance and years).
Serious and slight counts use the Department for Transport's severity adjustment, which allows for changes in how police forces record injuries; they are estimates, rounded to whole numbers. Distances are in a straight line. Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19), Open Government Licence v3.0.
Commute and house prices
Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
70%
Available places
522 pupils
750 places
228 spare places
as recorded on GIAS
Area Demand Pressure - London
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for London
Across Newham council
Places available
4,792
Applications
3,682
Got 1st preference
74.5%
Got preferred school
97.5%
All secondary applications across Newham council (2026/27), not just this school.
Inspection History(3)
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
21
SEN Support
5
EHC Plans
5.0%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Pupils by Need Type
Pupil Demographics
Ethnicity
2026 academic year
Key Indicators
522
Total Pupils
191
Boys
331
Girls
2026 academic year
Workforce
42
Teachers
12.4:1
Pupil-teacher ratio
£61,096
Mean salary
2026 data
Questions parents ask about London Academy of Excellence
What is London Academy of Excellence's Ofsted rating?
London Academy of Excellence's most recent Ofsted inspection, in March 2024, was ungraded, so it gave no overall grade. At its last graded inspection, in October 2017, it was rated Outstanding.
What is the catchment area for London Academy of Excellence?
No fixed boundary. When London Academy of Excellence is oversubscribed, Newham allocates places by its published criteria, usually ending with home-to-school distance.
How big are the classes at London Academy of Excellence?
Classes at London Academy of Excellence average 19.7 pupils (2025/26).
How many pupils go to London Academy of Excellence?
London Academy of Excellence has around 522 pupils on roll. 36% are eligible for free school meals.
How do I apply to London Academy of Excellence?
Apply through Newham's coordinated admissions process, naming London Academy of Excellence on your application. The national closing date in England is 31 October for secondary places and 15 January for primary places, in the year before your child starts.
How many road collisions happen near London Academy of Excellence?
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 228 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: 2 fatal, 34 serious and 192 slight. 14 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt: 10 on foot and 4 in a vehicle or otherwise. 30 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included. The typical figure for schools in Newham is 110 (the median across 113 schools, same distance and years).
Where is London Academy of Excellence?
London Academy of Excellence is at Hawthorne House, 2 Farthingale Walk, London, E15 1LE.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)