School Chooser

St Saviour's and St Olave's Church of England School

Secondary · ages 11-18GirlsChurch of England620 pupilsSixth formLondonSouthwark
School Chooser Score
77
Above
similar schools
Likely range 69 to 82
Out of 100. Better than 35% of the 50 schools most like it. Slipping year on year.
OfstedGoodLast Ofsted inspection, November 2022
Strong pass in English and maths54%England 46%
Attendance92.6%England 91.4%
Pupils from low-income families53%Far more than most schools
Places205 spare620 pupils, 825 places
Pupils per teacher11.8School workforce census

St Saviour's and St Olave's Church of England School is a Church of England school (voluntary aided) in London for girls aged 11 to 18. It has 620 pupils and room for 825. About 53 in every 100 pupils come from a low-income family, far more than at most schools in England. We give it 77 out of 100. That puts it above schools like it, ahead of 35% of the 50 schools most like it. Ofsted's last grade was good, back in 2022.

New Kent Road, London, SE1 4AN020 7407 1843ssso.southwark.sch.ukMs Michelle Ferguson headteacherAll details

What Ofsted found

Ofsted's last full inspection was on 16 November 2022, back when it gave schools one overall grade. Read the report on Ofsted's website.

Good overall.

TeachingOfsted calls this “quality of education”
Good
BehaviourOfsted calls this “behaviour and attitudes”
Good
WellbeingOfsted calls this “personal development”
Outstanding
LeadershipOfsted calls this “leadership and management”
Good
Sixth formOfsted calls this “post-16”
Good
Safeguarding
Effective
Yes

Results

GCSE results, summer 2025

126 pupils sat their GCSEs. Here is how they did against every state secondary in England.

Average GCSE score52.7
England 46.8
Official name: Attainment 8
Strong pass in English and maths54%
England 46%
Official name: Grade 5+ in English and maths
Standard pass in English and maths74%
England 66%
Official name: Grade 4+ in English and maths
Progress from age 11+0.58In each subject, pupils here finished most of a grade ahead of children across England who started secondary school at the same level. (From 2023/24, the latest year there is. The government didn't work it out for the 2025 year group.)Official name: Progress 8
Trend
Average GCSE score
2018 to 2025
2018: 56.756.720182019: 55.255.220192022: 58.358.320222023: 55.555.520232024: 56.056.020242025: 52.752.72025
Since 2018: -4.0Declining overall
All GCSE measures, year by year
Measure202520242023202220192018SouthwarkEngland
Pupils at the end of Year 11126118119128123123
Average GCSE scoreAttainment 852.756.055.558.355.256.751.446.8
Progress from age 11Progress 8+0.58+0.74+0.65+0.50+0.56
Strong pass in English and mathsGrade 5+ in English and maths54%65%60%66%65%65%53%46%
Standard pass in English and mathsGrade 4+ in English and maths74%77%79%84%74%84%72%66%
Core subjects scoreEBacc average point score4.434.864.684.544.714.764.744.15
Taking the core subjectsEBacc entry37%42%34%12%44%37%66%41%
Average GCSE score: low-income pupilsAttainment 8, disadvantaged50.056.051.152.251.253.7
Average GCSE score: other pupilsAttainment 8, non-disadvantaged55.756.058.662.357.559.5
Average GCSE score: pupils who started behindAttainment 8, low prior attainers35.330.838.232.830.2
Average GCSE score: pupils who started aheadAttainment 8, high prior attainers69.874.272.064.964.2

Subjects

Results came out for 19 GCSE subjects in 2025. Each figure is the share of pupils who got a grade 5 or better, next to the average for state secondaries in England.

Strongest subjects

English Language69%grades 9 to 5, England 54% · 506th of 3,210 schools
Religious Studies75%grades 9 to 5, England 60% · 484th of 1,825 schools
English Literature69%grades 9 to 5, England 58% · 680th of 3,202 schools
Design & Technology60%grades 9 to 5, England 50% · 475th of 1,478 schools

Subjects that did worse than the England average: Food Preparation & Nutrition (24% here, 52% across England), Art and Design (32% here, 58% across England), Geography (38% here, 51% across England).

What is taught hereOffers triple science, 2 languages, computer science, music.

The small number is how many pupils sat each subject. Subjects with fewer than six pupils aren't published.

Every subject against England, 2025
Mathematics127 entries · 11th of 20 in Southwark
57%England 53%
Religious Studies126 entries · 7th of 14 in Southwark
75%England 60%
English Literature126 entries · 12th of 20 in Southwark
69%England 58%
English Language126 entries · 6th of 20 in Southwark
69%England 54%
Combined Science74 entries · 12th of 19 in Southwark
43%England 36%
Chemistry52 entries · 11th of 13 in Southwark
85%England 81%
Biology52 entries · 11th of 13 in Southwark
81%England 82%
Physics52 entries · 12th of 13 in Southwark
77%England 82%
Spanish51 entries · 15th of 16 in Southwark
47%England 54%
History47 entries · 12th of 20 in Southwark
60%England 52%
Geography42 entries · 17th of 19 in Southwark
38%England 51%
French26 entries · 10th of 15 in Southwark
54%England 60%
Design & Technology25 entries · 1st of 4 in Southwark
60%England 50%
Computer Science25 entries · 5th of 13 in Southwark
56%England 56%
Art and Design19 entries
32%England 58%
24%England 52%
Music14 entries
57%England 61%
Drama14 entries
71%England 60%
0%England 49%
SubjectEntriesGrades 9 to 7Grades 9 to 5Grades 9 to 4England 9 to 5Rank in England
Mathematics12726%57%76%53%1,146 of 3,211
Religious Studies12640%75%83%60%484 of 1,825
English Literature12623%69%82%58%680 of 3,202
English Language12621%69%80%54%506 of 3,210
Combined Science7415%43%55%36%908 of 3,084
Chemistry5235%85%94%81%1,380 of 2,537
Biology5219%81%98%82%1,605 of 2,570
Physics5229%77%94%82%1,724 of 2,546
Spanish5128%47%71%54%1,255 of 1,941
History4732%60%72%52%931 of 3,126
Geography4210%38%57%51%2,222 of 3,116
French2631%54%58%60%1,270 of 1,974
Design & Technology2520%60%76%50%475 of 1,478
Computer Science2528%56%68%56%865 of 1,861
Art and Design1921%32%32%58%
Food Preparation & Nutrition170%24%47%52%
Music1429%57%57%61%
Drama1421%71%79%60%
Other Modern Languages120%0%0%49%

In combined science each pupil gets two grades and we count the lower one. Rankings only include state secondaries where 20 or more pupils sat the subject.

A level and sixth-form results, 2025

59 students finished sixth-form courses.

Average A level gradeC31.2 points per entry
A level progress-0.32Against students elsewhere with the same GCSE grades. 0 is average.
AAB or better14%with two subjects universities favour
Stayed and finished93%of students who started
All sixth-form measures, year by year
Measure202520242023202220192018
Students59886972130131
Average A level points per entryA level APS per entry31.2231.6230.6835.8230.6430.16
Average A level gradeCCCB-CC
Best three A levelsBest 3 A levels APS32.6233.5833.3335.1331.3534.02
AAB or better in subjects universities likeAAB+ in two facilitating subjects14%5%6%10%8%5%
A level progressA level value added-0.32-0.38-0.07-0.05
Applied general courses: points per entry23.2128.4126.6824.60
Stayed and finishedRetained and assessed93%97%98%100%97%97%

A level subjects

8 A level subjects had results in 2025. Each figure is the share of students who got an A* to B, next to the average for state sixth forms in England. When only a handful of students take a subject, its figures jump around from year to year.

A levels taught hereThe small number is how many students sat each one in 2025.
SubjectsSociology18English Literature8Psychology7Media / Film / TV Studies6Mathematics6Religious Studies6Chemistry5Biology5
Every A level subject against England, 2025
Sociology18 entries · 11% A* or A · 94% passed
44%England 49%
English Literature8 entries · 13% A* or A · 88% passed
25%England 52%
Psychology7 entries · 14% A* or A · 100% passed
43%England 46%
Media / Film / TV Studies6 entries · 17% A* or A · 100% passed
17%England 46%
Mathematics6 entries · 33% A* or A · 100% passed
50%England 60%
Religious Studies6 entries · 0% A* or A · 83% passed
33%England 50%
Chemistry5 entries · 0% A* or A · 0% passed
0%England 53%
Biology5 entries · 0% A* or A · 0% passed
0%England 49%

A levels only. BTECs, T levels and other courses are in the table above. Subjects with fewer than five students aren't published.

Does every child do well here?

A good school does well by every child, not just on average. Each row compares two groups of pupils here. The grey marks show the same two groups across England. Every gap at this school is smaller than the gap across England. When a group has fewer than about ten pupils, its figures jump around a lot from year to year.

At GCSE, 2025

Average GCSE scoreLow-income pupils vs other pupils
50.055.7
Gap 5.7England 12.2
Strong pass in English and mathsLow-income pupils vs other pupils
48%61%
Gap 13 ptsEngland 22 pts
First groupSecond groupEngland, each group

Low-income means the child has had free school meals at some point in the last six years. A group's figure isn't published when it has fewer than six pupils.

Getting a place

Open to all. There is no entrance test. As a Church of England school it may put families of that faith first. Check the school's own admissions rules.

Plenty of spare places662 pupils for 825 places, 2024/25
80% full

163 places were empty (20% of the total), so almost everyone who applies gets in. Pupil numbers have fallen by 12% since 2021/22, so places are getting easier to find.

Each council publishes its own figures on how many families applied and how far away the last child to get a place lived. We are adding councils one at a time. If you have a link to Southwark council's admissions booklet, send it to us.

Who goes here

Who a school teaches matters. That is why our score compares it with schools that take in a similar mix of children, not with every school in the country.

Pupils on roll620Census January 2026
Places82575% full
Pupils from low-income families52%53% have had free school meals at some point in the last six years
Pupils learning English34%First language is not English
Pupils getting extra support13%80 pupils with SEN support
Pupils with an EHC plan2%14 pupils with a plan
Average class size17.632 classes, January 2026; England 22.8
Classes with more than 30 pupils0%share of one-teacher classes; England 12%
Pupils with extra funding (pupil premium)57%£311,300 extra funding in 2026/27; England 30%
Boys and girls0 / 620
White British pupils5%

The most common needs among pupils getting extra support: emotional and mental health (21), Autistic spectrum disorder (19), Moderate learning difficulty (16), Other difficulty or disability (10), Specific learning difficulty (10), language and communications needs (10).

How the mix of pupils has changed
Census202620252024202320222021
Pupils on roll620660738754754757
Pupils from low-income familiesFree school meals52%52%38%38%35%29%
Pupils learning EnglishEnglish as an additional language34%38%36%33%30%27%
Pupils getting extra supportSEN support9%12%15%13%9%
Pupils with an EHC planEducation, health and care plans3%2%2%1%1%

Attendance and behaviour

In 2024/25 pupils were in school 92.6% of the time. Across similar schools in England it was 91.4%.

Attendance92.6%
England 91.4%
Official name: 100 minus overall absence
Pupils missing a lot of school24.8%
England 23.9%
Official name: Persistent absence
Suspensions per 100 pupils20.32024/25, 1 permanent exclusion
Missed without permission1.0%of school time, 2024/25
Attendance year by year
Measure2024/252023/242022/232021/222020/212018/19England
Sessions missedOverall absence7.5%6.3%5.9%4.8%3.7%3.7%8.6%
Missed with permissionAuthorised absence6.4%3.9%4.5%3.9%3.2%3.2%
Missed without permissionUnauthorised absence1.0%2.4%1.4%0.9%0.5%0.5%
Pupils missing a lot of schoolPersistent absence24.8%18.8%17.4%13.4%8.7%8.5%23.9%
SuspensionsSuspension rate20.312.312.214.17.8
Permanent exclusionsPermanent exclusions10000

What pupils do next

After GCSEs

Where the 119 pupils who left in 2022/23 were a year later.

Still in education, work or training97%and stayed there for at least six months

Among pupils from low-income families it was 98%, compared with 97% for everyone else.

Earlier years
Destination2022/23 leavers2021/22 leavers2020/21 leavers2019/20 leavers
Still in education, work or training97%98%98%98%
Education97%98%98%98%
Apprenticeship0%0%0%0%
Work1%0%1%0%
Not in education, work or training2%0%1%0%

After sixth form

Where the 68 pupils who left in 2022/23 were a year later.

Still in education, work or training91%and stayed there for at least six months

Where the ones heading for university went

Went on to degree-level study or training85%England 72%
Top-third universities21%England 22%. The universities that ask for the highest grades
Higher or degree apprenticeship2%England 6%
Higher technical course1%Level 4 or 5, such as an HNC or HND

Among students from low-income families, 81% went on to degree-level study or training.

Earlier years
Destination2022/23 leavers2021/22 leavers2020/21 leavers2019/20 leavers
Still in education, work or training91%89%93%
Education75%69%77%
Apprenticeship2%3%4%2%
Work15%17%12%
Not in education, work or training9%6%4%

Staff and money

From the government's count of school staff in November 2025 and the school's published accounts.

Teachers52.8full-time equivalent, 56 people
Pupils per teacher11.8Pupils for every full-time teacher
Fully qualified teachers98%hold qualified teacher status
Teaching assistants6.1full-time equivalent
Average teacher pay£61,115
Teachers who left in the year11%2024/25, for any reason including retirement
Vacancies0
Sick days per teacher7.62024/25

Money

From the council school accounts, year to March 2025. The per-pupil figures are compared with other secondary schools in England that report their accounts the same way.

Spend per pupil£12,145England £8,524. Total £8.0m
Income per pupil£12,405England £8,454. Total £8.2m
Spent on teachers per pupil£6,833England £4,610
Money in reserve3%Very little put by: £220k, £334 per pupil. England 5%
Money in against money out+£171kit took in more than it spent this year
Where the money goes£12,145spent per pupil

Reserves are the money left over at the end of the year, kept back for emergencies and big projects. Being in the red year after year is a warning sign. Very large reserves can mean money sitting in the bank instead of being spent on today's pupils. Academy figures are rounded to the nearest £1,000 and include a share of any money the trust holds centrally.

The area around the school

Crimes within 500 m2,29212 months to June 2026, mostly anti-social behaviour
Local crime rate230 per 1,000 people153% higher than the England average
Typical house price£550,000Southwark
Nearest bus stop30 mBricklayers Arms / New Kent Rd, 22 stops within 500 m

Crime figures come from police.uk. The police record each crime at the nearest of a fixed set of map points rather than the exact spot, so “within 500 m” is only rough. House prices are from HM Land Registry sales nearby over the last two years.

Nearby schools

The closest secondary schools, nearest first. Hover over a row to see it on the map.

Well aboveAboveIn lineBelowWell belowNot scored
SchoolTypeDistancePupilsOfstedScore
Ark Globe AcademyAcademy250 m1,272Report card 202682Compare
South Bank University AcademyAcademy720 m405Report card 202624Compare
Ark Walworth AcademyAcademy0.6 miles973Good 202371Compare
Haberdashers' Borough AcademyFree school0.7 miles983Good 202439Compare
Harris Academy BermondseyAcademy0.7 miles781No overall grade 202591Compare
Notre Dame Catholic Girls' SchoolAcademy0.8 miles354Requires improvement 202424Compare
St Michael's Catholic CollegeAcademy0.9 miles948No overall grade 2025100Compare
City of London Academy (Southwark)Academy1.0 miles1,589Report card 202682Compare

Compared with schools like it

Our score compares St Saviour's and St Olave's Church of England School with the 49 schools in England whose pupils are most like its own. We match on family income, how many children are learning English, special needs, the neighbourhood, the size of the school and how it admits pupils. Those 49 schools are dotted all over the country, so we don't list them. What matters is where this school sits among them.

Beats35%of schools with a similar mix of pupils
In the lower half of its group. Its score of 77 is 6 points below the typical school in the group.
0Lowest of the group 0 · middle 83 · highest 97100

Nearby schools with a similar mix of pupils that score higher

Of those 49 schools, these are within 25 km and score at least five points more than St Saviour's and St Olave's Church of England School, nearest first. A school with the same kind of pupils and a higher score is the fairest sign that it gets more out of them.

SchoolTypeDistancePupilsOfstedScore
Harris Academy BermondseyAcademy0.7 miles781No overall grade 202591Compare
The Grey Coat HospitalAcademy2.0 miles1,167Outstanding 202297Compare
Harris Girls' Academy East DulwichAcademy2.9 miles809Outstanding 202386Compare
The St Marylebone CofE SchoolAcademy3.4 miles1,181No overall grade 202592Compare
Highbury Fields SchoolCouncil4.1 miles733Outstanding 202291Compare
The Camden School for GirlsVoluntary4.1 miles1,108Good 202283Compare
Clapton Girls' AcademyAcademy4.4 miles1,169Outstanding 202493Compare
Lady Margaret SchoolAcademy5.0 miles817Outstanding 202395Compare

How the score was worked out

The score is out of 100. A 77 means that once everything below is added up, this school comes out ahead of 77% of secondary schools in England. Results bounce around from year to year, especially in small schools, so we also show a likely range: 69 to 82. Every part is judged against schools with a similar mix of pupils. For small schools we pull each part towards the group average, so one unusual year can't swing the score too far.

What we looked atHow much it countsAgainst schools like itEffect on the scoreBased on
Results over three years20%above
+0.15
2025, 2024 and 2023 results; 126 pupils
Ofsted inspection18% (normally 20%, cut because the inspection is old)in line
+0.02
Ofsted grade, 3.8 years old
Progress pupils make20%well above
+0.23
DfE progress measure; 126 pupils
Direction of travel over five years10%below
-0.07
results and attendance falling year on year
Attendance and behaviour10%in line
+0.02
2024/25; 548 pupils
Results, allowing for the mix of pupils10%above
+0.08
Attainment relative to schools with a similar intake; 126 pupils
What pupils do next5%above
+0.05
119 pupils
What parents say0%no data

Worked out on 13 September 2026 (method v1). Read how the score works, including every weight and the checks we run. Think a number is wrong? Tell us.

Questions parents ask

Is St Saviour's and St Olave's Church of England School a good school?

Yes, going by the figures. St Saviour's and St Olave's Church of England School scores 77 out of 100. That is above schools that take in a similar mix of pupils, and ahead of 35% of the 50 schools most like it in England. The score could fairly be anywhere from 69 to 82, so a few points either way between schools doesn't mean much. Its results have been slipping over the last five years.

What is St Saviour's and St Olave's Church of England School's Ofsted rating?

Ofsted rated St Saviour's and St Olave's Church of England School good at its last full inspection on 16 November 2022.

How good are St Saviour's and St Olave's Church of England School's GCSE results?

In summer 2025, 54% of pupils got a grade 5 or better in both English and maths. Across England it was 46%. Its Attainment 8 score, which is the average grade across a pupil's best eight subjects times ten, was 52.7, against 46.8 for England. In each subject, pupils here finished most of a grade ahead of children across England who started secondary school at the same level.

How many pupils does St Saviour's and St Olave's Church of England School have?

620 pupils aged 11 to 18 were on the roll in January 2026. It has 825 places, so it is 75% full. It is a girls' school.

Is St Saviour's and St Olave's Church of England School oversubscribed?

Probably not. 163 places were empty in 2024/25 (20% of the total), so most families who apply get a place.

What is attendance like at St Saviour's and St Olave's Church of England School?

Pupils were in school 92.6% of the time in 2024/25. Similar schools in England managed 91.4%. 25% of pupils missed at least a tenth of the year.

How big are the classes at St Saviour's and St Olave's Church of England School?

The average class had 17.6 pupils in January 2026. Across England it was 22.8. No class had more than 30 pupils.

Does St Saviour's and St Olave's Church of England School have a sixth form?

Yes. The average A level grade in 2025 was C. 8 A level subjects had results in 2025; the full list is in the results section.

These answers come straight from the figures on this page and update when new data comes out.

Contact and details

Address
New Kent Road, London, SE1 4AN
Telephone
020 7407 1843
Website
www.ssso.southwark.sch.uk
Headteacher
Ms Michelle Ferguson
Type of school
Church of England school (voluntary aided) (Voluntary aided school, local authority maintained schools)
Phase
Secondary school, ages 11-18, with sixth form
Gender
Girls
Religious character
Church of England, Diocese of Southwark
Local authority
Southwark
Ward
Chaucer
Constituency
Bermondsey and Old Southwark
Setting
Urban: Nearer to a major town or city
URN
100849 · LAESTAB 2104680 · UKPRN 10006256

Recent changes

  • New KS4 results for 2024/25

Where these figures come from