Greenwich’s state schools outscore 82% of towns in England

The primary figure lifts Greenwich; the secondary figure holds it back.

The primary figure: 63 primaries in the town, 9,922 pupils in results over three years. The secondary figure: 16 secondaries in the town, 3,050 pupils in results. Mainstream state schools only (grammar schools included); special schools, alternative provision, nurseries and 16–19 colleges are listed below but not graded. Each school’s results are compared with every school in England, then weighted by its pupils.

Most schools give places by distance once siblings are in, so the schools nearest a home matter more than any league table.

The share of pupils on free school meals runs from 11% at St Mary's Catholic Primary School to 64% at Woodhill Primary School. Against schools with the same intake, Alderwood Primary School does best: 82% with 57% on free school meals, where a typical school would reach 53%. 60 of 62 primaries and 13 of 16 secondaries are above the line.

Free school meals: pupils eligible now, DfE January 2026 census. The typical-school line is a straight-line fit across every graded school in England. It describes; it doesn’t grade: the School Grade uses results alone.

Key result: Attainment 8 and grade 5+ English and maths (GCSEs, 2025/26 provisional) for secondaries; the share meeting the expected standard in reading, writing and maths (KS2, DfE’s three-year average) for primaries. Pupils: the January 2026 school census. No letter: an infant or first school (no KS2 tests), a new school, a small cohort DfE suppresses, or a special school, nursery or college. Independent schools aren’t included.

Ofsted stopped giving one-word judgements in 2024. Until a school is re-inspected, its last overall judgement is its most recent single grade; a school judged years ago may have changed a lot since.

Since November 2025 Ofsted gives each area of a school one of five grades (exceptional, strong standard, expected standard, needs attention, urgent improvement) and says whether safeguarding is met, instead of one overall word. 14 of Greenwich’s 90 state schools have a report card so far; the others show their last inspection under the old framework. Ofsted is never part of the School Grade.

11 of Greenwich’s 16 state secondaries have sixth forms: Eltham Hill, Harris Academy Greenwich, Leigh Academy Blackheath, Leigh Academy Halley, Leigh Stationers', Plumstead Manor, Royal Greenwich Trust, Saint Mary Magdalene, The John Roan, Thomas Tallis and Woolwich Polytechnic. Shooters Hill Sixth Form College is a state 16–19 school in the London borough. The nearest college is Christ The King Sixth Form College, a further-education college 2.8 miles away.

Greenwich has 5 special schools (Charlton Park, King's Oak, Rowan Wood, Waterside and Willow Dene: 647 pupils) and 2 alternative provision schools, for pupils who can’t attend mainstream school for a time. A special-school place isn’t applied for like a mainstream one: for a child with an education, health and care plan (EHCP), Greenwich Council names the school in the plan, after asking the family’s preference. These schools have no letter, because their results don’t compare with mainstream schools’. Their cards ↑

Greenwich Council’s SEND Local Offer lists support beyond these schools.

Newham has the best-graded schools nearby (A). Small places often use the schools within 3 km, so neighbours can share schools.