Platanos College, London

In its own words: "Platanos College is an ambitious and high-performing school for pupils of all abilities aged 11-16. We also have a Sixth Form for students aged 16-19. Located in stunning new buildings in a newly landscaped site in south London, our academy is flourishing. Our message is straightforward: we believe in our motto, that attitude determines altitude in all human endeavour."

From the headteacher's welcome: "This is an excellent school, where parents rightly feel that it gives their children every chance of succeeding in life. It is a purposeful place where everyone’s right to work and learn is respected. We hope that, as you explore the site, you will find a wealth of useful information about the school."

Coming up: an open evening on Tuesday 17 November 2026. Check the school's website before you go, as dates can change.

In 2026, pupils at Platanos College averaged an Attainment 8 score of 46.3, the average grade across their best eight GCSEs. The average state school scored 46.5 in Lambeth and 47 across England.

54% passed English and maths at grade 5 or above, against 46% in Lambeth and 47% in England.

That is up from 40.8 in 2025.

Its most recent Progress 8 score, for 2024, was -0.22: 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 42.5, against 50.4 for other pupils at the school - a gap of 7.9 points.

Pupils sat GCSEs in 14 subjects; after English and maths, the most popular were Combined Science, Religious Studies and Social Studies.

For September 2026 entry, 67 families put Platanos College as their first choice and 199 named it as one of their preferences, for 99 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 Platanos College are Minerva Virtual Academy (0.7 miles); Saint Gabriel's College (0.8 miles, Good, Attainment 8 43.4); Lilian Baylis Technology School (0.9 miles, Outstanding, Attainment 8 43.1); and Ark All Saints Academy (0.9 miles, Good, Attainment 8 52.1).

Platanos College's 2026 results were higher than 2 of these 3 schools.

Platanos College is one of 3 schools run by The Platanos Trust, an academy trust.

Of the 186 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 89% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 18% to a further education college and 2% to an apprenticeship.

54% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), and 70.1% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are Black (57%), other ethnic groups (8%) and Mixed (7%).

The nearest tram or metro stop is Stockwell Station, about 250 metres away (roughly a 3-minute walk).

17 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Lansdowne Way, 40 metres away.

In 2024/25, Platanos College issued 2 suspensions, 0.2 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The primary schools closest to Platanos College are Allen Edwards Primary School (0.3 miles), Reay Primary School (0.3 miles), Van Gogh Primary (0.4 miles) and St Andrew's Church of England Primary School (0.4 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.