Lambeth’s state schools get better results than 73% of towns in England

The primary figure: 57 primaries in the town, 7,770 pupils in results over three years. The secondary figure: 16 secondaries in the town, 2,201 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 10% at Telferscot Primary School to 65% at Van Gogh Primary. Against schools with the same intake, Iqra Primary School does best: 95% with 38% on free school meals, where a typical school would reach 58%. 47 of 57 primaries and 14 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. 12 of Lambeth’s 89 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.

13 of Lambeth’s 16 state secondaries have sixth forms: Bishop Thomas Grant, City Heights E-ACT, Dunraven, La Retraite Roman, Lilian Baylis Technology, London Nautical, City of London, Oasis Academy South Bank, Platanos College, The Elmgreen, The Elms, The Norwood, Trinity and Woodmansterne. Harris Clapham Sixth Form, King's College London Maths School, Oasis Restore and South Bank University Sixth Form are state 16–19 schools in the London borough. Morley College London, a further-education college, is in the London borough. South Bank Colleges, a further-education college, is in the London borough. The Marine Society College of the Sea, a further-education college, is in the London borough.

Lambeth has 7 special schools (Elm Court, Evelina Hospital, Heron, Lansdowne, The Livity, Turney and Secondary Special and Vanguard: 884 pupils) and 1 alternative provision school, 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), Lambeth 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 ↑

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

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