The Essential Guide to Education 2023/24

Tue 26th, Wed 27th Sept Tue 3rd, Wed 4th & Thu 5th Oct

2 South Bank University academy

3-4 essential information for parents and carers

ESSENTIAL INFORMATION FOR THOSE STARTING SECONDARY SCHOOL NEXT YEAR

SeCondaRY SCHoolS

5 alleyn’s School

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EACH YEAR the challenge of deciding on which secondary school to apply to for your child remains one of the biggest education decisions for parents and carers...

You can’t expect to name a secondary school and assume that your child will automatically be offered a place. It is simply a case of listing the schools you prefer and awaiting the outcome of the allocation process.

It is vital that you get the order of preferences right on your child’s primary to secondary transfer application. You may be tempted to name just one school on the online application as it is the only school you want for your child. However, there are no guarantees that your child will be offered this school. To increase the chances of your child being offered a preferred school, we strongly advise you to list up to six preferences on their application.

There are various types of secondary schools to choose from including academies, voluntary aided, foundation, and free and schools. And it is here where the oversubscription criteria vary. It is important you fully understand the oversubscription criteria and match them to your own circumstances. Some schools are heavily oversubscribed, with hundreds applying for places.

Schools arrange open days/evenings where you can find out more about what they offer - you are strongly advised to check each school’s website for details on how and when they will be holding their open day/evening, as this may be subject to change at short notice.

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Make sure you find out how many applications the school usually receives - this information will also be printed in the Starting Secondary school in Southwark 2024/25 brochure and the Starting secondary school in Lambeth 2024/25 booklet, as well as other boroughs.

The more people who apply for a school for their children, the bigger the risk that your child might not be offered a place at that school. Armed with this knowledge, you should be better placed to put your preferences down.

Do use all six preferences - however, you need to be wary about only choosing schools which are heavily over-subscribed. You should name your first preference school on the application, but also list preferences where your child has a realistic chance of being offered a place.

Applying for secondary schools can be emotionally difficult. It is such a vital decision for your child’s future.

If your child is in Year 6 and currently attending one of Southwark’s or Lambeth’s primary schools, you will receive further information from Continues overleaf

Open days are due to take place, but make sure you know what is what

By Kevin Quinn

your child’s school.

If you are a Southwark resident you must apply online at: www.southwark.gov.uk/schooladmissions or if you are a Lambeth resident you must apply online at www.lambeth.gov.uk/eadmissions

The online application process gets rid of the paperwork and is available to use 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The site allows users to save, continue or make changes to their application, right up until the closing date and your details are safe and secure. You will receive an email with a summary of your submitted application and you can also view the outcome online. The closing date to submit the online application is 31st October 2023 by 11.59pm

You also need to ensure that you complete a Supplementary Information Form (SIF) for the schools that require these and submit it to the school by their individual deadline. These ask for further information, such as religious observance or regarding school specialisms. Where a school requires your child to sit an admissions banding test, it is vital that they sit the test. If you are applying to a secondary school that uses banding within its criteria, your child will be required to take a test. Please contact the school directly for further details on banding test arrangements.

If you are thinking of applying to schools that test for ability/aptitude, you must ensure that you register your child for the ability/aptitude admission test before each school’s published deadline and you must also submit your child’s online admissions application by 31st October 2023. Failure to provide a SIF to the school by their deadline and your child sitting a banding test or an ability/aptitude test, where these are needed, may significantly reduce the chances of your child being offered a place at a school on your application.

Children who have an Education, Health and Care Plan follow a different admissions process and parents and carers must contact the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Team within their local authority for further advice.

Once you have made your preferences and submitted your online application by the closing date, your application will be processed. If you have successfully submitted your online application before the closing date, you will be able to view the results of your application on the eAdmissions website (www.eadmissions.org.uk) during the evening of 1st March 2024. You will also be sent an email in the evening of 1st March 2024 which will contain information on what to do next.

If it was not possible to offer a place at any of your preferred schools, then the School Admissions Team will allocate your child an alternative secondary school. This is likely to be the nearest school to your child’s home which has a vacancy. You also have the right to appeal against the decision not to offer your child a place at a preferred school. The email containing the outcome of your child’s application will include information about how to appeal.

If it has not been possible to offer a place at any schools named as a higher preference on your child’s application, your child’s name will automatically be added to the waiting lists of these schools. You may also ask for your child’s name to be added to the waiting list of any out of borough schools listed on your application. Please contact the local authority the school is located in for further information.

If your child has been offered a secondary school place, you have until 15th March 2024 to respond to this offer. For those that live in Southwark, if the School Admissions Team do not hear from you by this date, your offer will automatically be accepted and your child’s details forwarded to the allocated school. If you live in Lambeth, the School Admissions Team require all offers to be responded to, ie accepting these by 15th March 2024.

Only if you reject the offer and also provide details of any alternative arrangement you have made for your child’s education, will your child’s place be withdrawn and offered to the next child on the school’s waiting list.

Sonny Opoku-Sharp from St Thomas the Apostle School in Nunhead picking up his 6 9s, 3 8s and 3 7s for his GCSE results this year

Students from Harris Girls’ Academy East Dulwich, Hannah (left) and Nenneh (right) picking up top marks on GCSE result day.

Twin sisters at Charter Bermondsey School are headed for teaching careers after grabbing a haul of top GCSE results.

Embark on a new chapter of educational excellence at Charter School Bermondsey, led by Principal Marcus Huntley. Our school radiates an inspiring culture of ambition, exploration, and connection that nurtures young minds.

Our students enjoy a diverse and engaging curriculum, further enriched by a strong sports, technology and creative arts offer.

Charter Bermondsey broadens horizons by organising captivating trips to theatres, galleries, outward-bound residential programs, and even overseas visits, exposing our students to a world beyond the classroom.

Contributing to the community is central to our Charter Bermondsey’s values. Our students are actively encouraged to participate in charitable initiatives or volunteering throughout their time with us. Opportunities include:

• Organising social action projects through First Give

• Participating in fundraising for charities such as the Manna Homeless Centre or Breast Cancer Awareness

• Providing table tennis coaching for primary schools through Greenhouse

• Becoming a Sports Leader, facilitating sports days for primary school pupils

We challenge our students to aim high, develop their character, and forge lasting friendships while relishing their learning journey.

Principal Marcus Huntley

Step into our state-of-the-art building on Keeton’s Road, conveniently located near Bermondsey Underground. With small year groups of 110, we ensure that each child is known and receives personalised attention.

“The decision to choose this school was truly the best for my child’s progress and well-being.”

- Charter Bermondsey parent

UPCOMING OPEN EVENTS

Thursday 14th September – Open Morning 9:00 – 10:15 a.m.

Monday 18th September – Open Evening 4:30 – 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday 19th September – Open Morning 9:00 – 10:15 a.m.

Wednesday 27th September – Open Morning 9:00 – 10:15 a.m.

Monday 9th October – Open Morning 9:00 – 10:15 a.m.

Monday 9th October – Open Evening 4:30 – 6:30 p.m.

Find out more:

At Charter School Bermondsey, we strive for excellence in all aspects of education.

The Charter School East Dulwich

• We are curious

• We work hard

• We care

• We act with integrity

The Charter School East Dulwich exists to inspire young people from across its diverse local community to develop the character and expertise they need to succeed in adult lifepersonally, economically and as good citizens. We teach our students to be curious, hardworking, caring and act with integrity. They will leave us happy in themselves, excited about their future and ambitious to achieve.

Please visit our website www.chartereastdulwich.org.uk for more information on the curriculum and the application process.

Please follow us on Instagram

@tcseastdulwich @tcsed_sixthform

@CharterEast

If you'd like more information, please email us on admissions@chartereastdulwich.org.uk or 020 3873 2290

Jarvis Road, London SE22 8RB

Tel: 020 3873 2290

Outstanding 2022’

Outstanding GCSE and A-Level results in 2023 building on the significant success of previous years!

Sin ce The Charter Sch ool North Du lwich w as founde d 23 y ears ago, it h as been our commitment to be an e xception al and inclusiv e community sch ool that transforms the life chan ces of all our y oung pe ople

We are proud to be recognised as one of the top schools in the country for our achievement. Our students perform exceptionally well across all EBACC subjects at GCSE. We are consistently in the top 10% of schools nationally for our A-Level performance. We have been evaluated as outstanding by Ofsted since 2006, our most recent inspection being in 2022.

Year 7 Open Day will take place on Wednesday 27 September 2.15pm - 6.30pm

Sixth Form Open Day will take place on Thursday 09 November 4.30pm - 7.00pm

Please check the website to be kept up to date about this and other admissions information regarding Year 7 and Year 12 Ye ar 7 and Ye ar 12 entry for entry for September 2024.

www ch artern orth dulwich org uk

The Charter School Nort h Dulwich Red Post Hill. London. SE 24 9JH

‘OFSTED

Open Events

Entry into Years 3 and 5 (ages 7 and 9)

Entry into Year 7 and Year 9 (ages 11 and 13)

Book your place dulwich.org.uk/admissions

Bursaries of up to 100% and Academic Scholarships of up to one third of full fees are available

Dunraven is a high-performing, all-through school, educating children from the age of 4 to 18.

We foster an ethos of respect, tolerance and pride in personal appearance. Students are encouraged to be courteous, optimistic and resilient. As our students progress through the school, we are committed to ensuring that they develop the confidence, skills and self-starting attitude that will help them succeed in the modern world.

These are exciting times for Dunraven School, which continues to embody our all-through school objective of ‘Excellence for All’. We offer the very best in teaching, a broad and exciting curriculum which embraces the academic and creative and a strong sense of community, where staff and students work together with the understanding and support of families. Our state-of-theart facilities add to an exceptional learning experience as we work towards achieving excellence for all our young people.

To find out more about Dunraven School, for details of our Open Sessions this Autumn or to see our virtual tours, please visit www.dunraven.org.uk or email admissions@dunraven.det.org.uk

Year 7

Admissions: 31 Oct 2023

Sixth Form Admissions: 24 Nov 2023

Reception

Admissions: 15 Jan 2024

Our prospectus and full details of our admissions arrangements and criteria are available by visiting www.dunraven.org.uk

Our Personal Development curriculum aims to develop students into confident, curious, respectful, resilient and ambitious young people. the and

are a to We passionate making difference lives of our students, ensuring have every opportunity to succeed by identifying nurturing each one’s individual talents.

Bermondsey Harris Academy pupils meet inspirational authors

Students at Harris Academy Bermondsey have many opportunities to meet inspirational authors when they visit the school to talk about their craft.

Award-winning poet Thembe Mvula, for example, visited last term to talk to students about how she writes poetry and to encourage them to develop their own poetic voices.

“I didn’t think I could write a poem, but I actually wrote a whole poem all by myself!” said Temi, Year 8.

Author Patrice Lawrence also visited last term to teach the pupils the skills of a crime writer. What makes a good detective? How do you use clues effectively? What goes into a satisfying conclusion? He then helps the students to hone their own mystery-writing skills, guiding them through the conventions of a good mystery story.

about that they

“I really like the way Patrice takes inspiration from people she meets or people she sees on the bus,” said Amelia, Year 8.

“It makes her characters more realistic and believable.”

Finally, author Ciaran Thapar empowered students to tell stories that really matter to them through social action writing – using the power of words to share experiences and make a difference in the world.

“It was brilliant to see the students speak so passionately about social issues that are important to them,” said Librarian Amy Morris.

Whether students love books and reading, sport, science or the arts, Harris Academy Bermondsey makes sure they meet inspirational people who can guide them in their passions as they explore what really interests them.

At HAB we have an uncompromising caring approach yet

East Dulwich Character Courage Conscience

Harris Girls’ Academy

Harris Girls’ Academy East Dulwich is officially one of the best academies in England and Wales for student progress.

We are in the top 4% of schools nationally and one of the best in London, according to the latest Department for Education figures.

Come and see our academy for yourself at one of our open evenings or mornings.

Open evening:

Thursday 28th September 2023 5-6.30pm

Open mornings:

Monday 2nd October 2023 arrive 8.45-9.45am

Tuesday 3rd October 2023 arrive 8.45-9.45am

Wednesday 4th October 2023 arrive 8.45-9.45am

We look forward to welcoming you.

www.harrisdulwichgirls.org.uk

James Allen’s Girls’ School (JAGS) has been guided by a forward-thinking and philanthropic approach to education since 1741.

Central to this vision is an extensive and generous bursary scheme which allows the school to continue attracting intellectually curious girls, regardless of their economic background.

Diversity is one of its greatest strengths, and the extensive bursary provision stands it apart from other independent schools. At JAGS, it is vital that the student population reflects the social, cultural and economic diversity of the south London neighbourhood in which it is nestled.

Around one in six pupils studying at the Senior School receive this transformational, life-changing bursary provision. The majority of these financially assisted pupils are supported with more than 90% of fees, as well as the costs of uniform, travel, school trips, activities and lunches.

The school is exceptionally proud of the strong, contemporary pastoral systems it has in place, and the care that each member of staff takes to ensure that they know each student as an individual. Pupils flourish in an environment which nurtures self-confidence and independence, while feeling supported through outstanding pastoral care from dedicated members of staff and their peers.

At GCSE and A level the school consistently achieves among the highest results in the country, particularly in STEM subjects, and pupils regularly go on to study at some of the world’s most prestigious universities.

However, what goes on outside the classroom is just as important as what happens inside the classroom. Whether it be in the Junior School (ages 4-11) or Senior School (11-18), there is an absolute commitment to a full, rich and balanced education. Pupils throw themselves into their music, drama, sport and the hundreds of other opportunities that abound. This is a school where the pupils combine their scholarly talents with a dizzying array of commitments to activities, enrichment and the wider community.

The 22 acres of stunning grounds on which the school is situated features a state-of-the-art sports hall, complete with a 25-metre swimming pool, climbing wall and gym. Elsewhere, the school’s Prissian Theatre (which can be set up traditionally or in the round) offers the perfect arena for both lessons and stage shows.

For more information visit jags.org.uk or call 020 8693 1181

Ofsted 2023

Kingsdale is Outstanding in every area (Ofsted 2023) and presents extraordinarily rich opportunities to challenge students of all abilities including providing options to study Latin, Economics and Psychology. There is also the choice to learn two languages from the start of Year 7 for gifted & talented linguists. Kingsdale attracts many able students and operates a diverse, expansive curriculum to meet the particular needs and aspirations of all of our students and their families. The school offers a wide variety of academic subjects including 4 or 5 optional courses selected by each child in addition to co-curricular activities every day.

‘Pupils achieve exceptionally well in a wide range of subjects and attain highly at GCSE and A level.’ Ofsted 2023

Kingsdale is rated as a very high performing non-selective school. It has a very impressive track record of being one of the foremost schools, in the locality, for outcomes at Key Stage 5 with some truly outstanding academic results.

‘Leaders aim to nurture the talents of pupils through their scholar programmes in mathematics, music, art and sport.’ Ofsted 2023

‘Pupils’ behaviour is exemplary…At break times, pupils use the space available to them sensibly. They chat with friends, have lunch together, read or play sports outside.’ Ofsted 2023

Subsidised excursions to amazing destinations such as Malaysia, Namibia, Brazil, the USA and the French Alps are an essential element of the school’s Trips of a Lifetime programme.

Kingsdale is a dynamic, remarkably popular and progressive school that has invested over £30 million to develop an awardwinning educational learning environment.

Harnessing Sixth Form Talent

Take advantage of the chance to visit Kingsdale Foundation School’s purpose built Sixth Form Site. See for yourself how we bring the best out of our students and why our post 16 provision is so popular and so heavily oversubscribed. We invite you to apply for a Sixth Form Scholarship worth up to £1,000 per annum. For more details email: sixthform@kingsdale.southwark.sch.uk

Our Year 12 Sixth Form Open Day dates for 2024:

Wednesday 27th September 2023 4-7.30pm

Kingsdale had an incredible history of regularly producing the top achieving individual student in the country at GCSE during the pre-pandemic period!

The school has one of the best pupil to teacher ratios of any mainstream secondary school in South London.

Wednesday 18th October 2023 1.30-6.30pm

Wednesday 8th November 2023 1.30-6.30pm

Wednesday 29th November 2023 1.30-6.30pm

Visits by Appointment Only. Virtual tours will be taking place and broadcast live during each event!broadcast live during each event!

For further information, please visit www.kingsdalefoundationschool.org.uk

‘Pupils are rightly very proud of their school. They really enjoy their learning and talk with enthusiasm about the school’s culture of mutual respect and inclusivity.’

Playforte builds confidence in young people through theatre and music.

We are professional actor-musicians and experienced tutors currently working in the entertainment industry.

Classes support national curriculum for KS1-KS3 music classes up to GCSE level, while offering musical enrichment and fun!

Original classes! ‘Rock Band!’

‘Jazz Band!’ ‘Ukulele Band!’ ‘Orchestra!’

‘Actor-Musician Band!’

Individual and small group instrumental and singing lessons are also available!

Browse our pricing and classes at playfortetheatre.com Contact us at playforte.school@gmail.com

34 Secondary Schools

St Michael’s

Bringing each student to the fullness of life through education

St Michael’s Catholic College

Llewellyn Street, Bermondsey, London, SE16 4UN

Telephone: 02072376432

Web: www.stmichaelscollege.org.uk

Principal: Ms F. Corcoran

Supplementary forms must be submitted to the College alongside the standard online application parents or guardians submit to their home Local Education Authority.

There are up to 150 places on offer for September 2024. Where the number of applications exceeds 150, the oversubscription criteria will apply.

Monday 25th September 9.30am to 11.30am and 4.30pm to 7pm

Tuesday 26th September 9.30am to 11.30am

Wednesday 27th September 9.30am to 11.30am

Please see our website for more details. Please note there is no parking on-site

admiSSionS

The admission policy is available to view online and is also in the application pack, which is only given to parents attending College Open Days.

During Open Days parents / guardians will receive a prospectus and application forms. Tours of the College, an address from the Principal, and guidance on how to apply will be given.

‘Students respond exceptionally well to the challenge to achieve to the highest levels and make outstanding progress.’ Ofsted

2023 OPEN DAYS AND EVENING

ColleGe life

Consistently graded ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted and with excellent examination results each year, St Michael’s provides academic rigour within a caring, Catholic community, for students from Year 7 through to Sixth Form.

The learning environment is tailored to meet the needs of all students, providing extra challenge for those who are intellectually gifted and offering learning support for those in need. Our team of well qualified, dedicated staff work creatively and professionally to ensure that all students flourish and achieve.

The modern, light, new building enables dynamic learning, with access to excellent facilities and resources. Safe, well ordered and with a professional approach to pastoral care, St Michael’s strives for academic and personal success for every child.

Academically, we challenge students with a broad range of subjects, exceeding the requirements of the

National Curriculum by offering Latin and classics. College life is enriched by a House system which provides diverse activities, designed to encourage experiential learning and foster enjoyment. A broad spectrum of sporting, musical, artistic and technological clubs are offered at lunch times and after school. This includes lessons in Journalism, as well as Cricket, Drama, Band, Chess, Computing

and Science.

Specialisms in Languages and Business allow us to provide exciting opportunities for students involving training, work experience, internships and mentoring in international companies including JP Morgan, Bloomberg, Ince & Co, KPMG, Grant Thornton, Prudential and Barclays. Partnership working also enables some of our students to access Russell Group University preparation and experience, including Cambridge Summer School and University of London Maths and Science programmes for more able students.

Residential trips abroad are an integral part of broadening student experiences. We offer trips to Rome, Paris, Iceland, South Korea and the UK for activity, adventure and retreat. The religious life and service of students is nurtured through active engagement in liturgical events and services, undertaking charitable endeavours and working with Priests who support our College.

‘If you want a school in which your child can be really happy, which develops their character and gets excellent academic results, St Michael’s is well worth applying for.’ Year 10 Parent

The best way to help protect your child against severe illness from polio, flu, measles, mumps, rubella and other childhood diseases is to get them up to date with their routine vaccinations.

Speak to a GP surgery for more information.

More information about vaccines

selondonics.org/childrenshealth

Year 7 Open Events

Friday 22 September 2023

Friday 6 October 2023

Friday 20 October 2023

Open mornings 9:30am – 11:30am

Saturday 30 September 2023

Open day 9:30am – 12pm

Thursday 5 October 2023

Open evening 5pm – 7pm

Book now to attend an open event for admission to Westminster City School in September 2024. Tour the school, meet the Headteacher and speak to staff and current students.

Book now: www.wcsch.com

Post 16: 28th September 2023

Key Stage 4: 18th October 2023 Sign up

Kingsdale Foundation School

First Class and Top of the Class

Applications for Sixth Form courses are now being accepted

Take advantage of the chance to visit Kingsdale Foundation School and see for yourself how we bring the best out of our students. A tour of Kingsdale Foundation School enables you to realise why we receive such glowing reports. In the Autumn term 2023 you will have just that opportunity as we will be holding Sixth Form Open Days for entry in September 2024. Scholarships in Mathematics and the Creative & Expressive Arts are on offer for gifted and talented candidates who meet our entry requirements. Scholars receive free individual or small group tuition provided by expert professionals to the value of £1,000 per annum.

Harnessing talent!

Prospective students are invited to come along to our Open Days or join our virtual tours to explore the fantastic opportunities and inspiring state-of-the-art facilities in our dedicated Sixth Form Centre. As Ofsted noted: ‘The range of subjects taught is imaginative, well constructed and contributes well to students’ achievement and their outstanding spiritual, cultural and moral development.’

Our Year 12 Sixth Form Open Day dates for 2024 entry are as follows:

Wednesday 27th September 2023 4-7.30pm, Wednesday 18th October 2023 1.30-6.30pm

Wednesday 8th November 2023 1.30-6.30pm, Wednesday 29th November 2023 1.30-6.30pm

Visits by Appointment Only. Virtual tours will be taking place and broadcast live during each event!

‘This popular school is a harmonious environment where pupils learn how to be successful in modern Britain’ OFSTED 2017

Left to right: Students Roza Hannick, Elizabeth West, Angelie Nadarajah and Charlotte Yaxley

Co-educational secondary (ages 11-18)

Principal: A Faccinello MA (OXON) PGCE

We are proudly celebrating our Sixth Formers’ fantastic successes in gaining places at top universities including two at Cambridge University. From year 7, their Trinity education was grounded in our academic, knowledge­rich curriculum.

Year 7 Open Days – Entry 2024

Open Mornings

Tuesday 3rd October 9am

Wednesday 4th October 9am

Tuesday 10th October 9am

Open Evening

Thursday 5th October 5pm

Sixth Form Open Evening – Entry 2024

Thursday 9th November 5pm

www.trinity.futureacademies.org

56 Brixton Hill, London, SW2 1QS

T: 020 3126 4993

E: admissions@trinity.futureacademies.org