South Bank University Academy, London

Ofsted's report card from its 6 May 2026 inspection grades South Bank University Academy on 7 areas: 6 expected standard and 1 needs attention. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Achievement - Expected standard. "Pupils typically achieve well across most subjects."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Leaders have an accurate understanding of the strengths in teaching and the areas where improvement is needed."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "Leaders and staff understand the barriers to learning that pupils face."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders and governors have a clear understanding of the school's strengths and areas for development."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "Leaders have designed a personal development programme that suitably prepares pupils for life in modern Britain."

Post 16 provision - Expected standard. "Leaders have designed ambitious study programmes for sixth-form students that prepare them for progression to university, apprenticeships and employment."

Attendance and behaviour - Needs attention. "Leaders' actions to improve attendance have not been as effective as they need to be."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should evaluate the impact of their attendance strategies more precisely and take swift action to improve attendance, particularly for pupils who are persistently absent"; "Leaders should ensure that teachers consistently check pupils' understanding and adapt learning effectively so that all pupils, including disadvantaged pupils and pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), build consistently secure knowledge across the curriculum"; "Leaders should ensure that the agreed strategies to support pupils with SEND are implemented consistently so pupils with SEND access the curriculum and achieve well".

From the headteacher's welcome: "Our school community delivers a safe and inclusive environment and a space where students can develop and thrive as they discover the possibilities for exciting future careers. We believe that every student has the potential to succeed and that is why we start investing in their future careers as soon as they join us."

Coming up: an open day on Thursday 19 November 2026, an open evening on Thursday 19 November 2026 and an open day on Thursday 4 February 2027. Check the school's website before you go, as dates can change.

In 2026, pupils at South Bank University Academy averaged an Attainment 8 score of 32.6, the average grade across their best eight GCSEs. The average state school scored 50.7 in Southwark and 47 across England.

26% passed English and maths at grade 5 or above, against 53% in Southwark and 47% in England.

That is down from 41.5 in 2025.

Its most recent Progress 8 score, for 2024, was -0.16: 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 32, against 34.4 for other pupils at the school - a gap of 2.4 points.

Pupils sat GCSEs in 19 subjects; after English and maths, the most popular were Biology, Physics and Chemistry.

For September 2025 entry, 15 families put South Bank University Academy as their first choice and 138 named it as one of their preferences, for 26 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2025 entry.

The nearest other state secondary schools to South Bank University Academy are Ark Walworth Academy (0.4 miles, Good, Attainment 8 44); St Saviour's and St Olave's Church of England School (0.4 miles, Good, Attainment 8 48.4); Ark Globe Academy (0.5 miles, Good, Attainment 8 46.4); and Ark All Saints Academy (0.8 miles, Good, Attainment 8 52.1).

Each of them had higher 2026 results than South Bank University Academy.

South Bank University Academy is one of 2 schools run by South Bank Academies, an academy trust.

Of the 120 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 96% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 32% to a further education college and 1% into work.

Of the 54 students who left the sixth form in 2023/24, 46% went on to university or other higher education, 6% to apprenticeships and 15% into work. 15% went to one of the most selective third of universities.

48.4% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), and 39.3% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are Black (51%), Mixed (15%) and other ethnic groups (11%).

The nearest railway station is Elephant & Castle Rail Station, about 890 metres away (roughly a 11-minute walk).

8 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is East Street Walworth, 210 metres away.

In 2024/25, South Bank University Academy issued 139 suspensions, 28.3 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and 3 permanent exclusions.

The primary schools closest to South Bank University Academy are Robert Browning Primary School (0.1 miles), English Martyrs' Roman Catholic Primary School (0.2 miles), Michael Faraday School (0.2 miles) and St Peter's Church of England Primary School (0.2 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.