Ofsted: Outstanding trending_up High Demand emoji_events #1 in Tower Hamlets public Top 6% UK

Swanlea School

verifiedData: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

personMs Brenda Landers

location_onLondon, E1 5DJ

language Visit Website phone 2073753267

verified

Ofsted

Outstanding

Inspected 2024

groups

Students

1,291

trending_up

Attainment 8

56.9

leaderboard

GCSE Rank

#1 in Tower Hamlets

#368 of 3,216 nationally

summarize

Swanlea School is a Community school secondary school in London, serving ages 11-18. Rated Outstanding by Ofsted — the highest possible grade. Highly competitive: 1.7× more applications than places — plan well ahead.

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School Summary

Swanlea School is a community school in London, Tower Hamlets, admitting pupils aged 11-18. It has a sixth form offering post-16 education. The school has approximately 1,281 pupils on roll, of whom 54% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2025, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 56.9, placing the school #1 in Tower Hamlets and #368 of 3,216 nationally. 63.80% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths. 36.4% of all GCSE entries were graded 9–7.

The sixth form offers 14 A-level subjects. 55.2% of A-level entries were graded A*–B, with 20.8% at A*–A. A-level value added: -0.21 — students made below-average progress at sixth form.

Ofsted last inspected the school in 2024. The school's current overall rating is Outstanding. Inspectors assessed quality of education as Outstanding, behaviour and attitudes Outstanding, personal development Outstanding, and leadership and management Outstanding.

The school is oversubscribed — in the most recent cycle, there were 1.7× as many applications as places, making a successful application competitive.

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 15.6:1. There are no current teaching vacancies.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there were 2 permanent exclusions. The average suspension rate was 2.3 per 1,000 pupils per term.

verified Source: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

Academic Performance

verified Data: UK Gov 2024/25

analytics

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

2025

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

56.9

Grade 5+ E&M

63.80%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)36.4%

Entering EBacc71.50%

EBacc APS5.25

2024

Progress 8 Score

0.81

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

56.1

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc66.80%

EBacc APS5.16

2023

Progress 8 Score

1.27

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

58.7

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc73%

EBacc APS5.32

2022

Progress 8 Score

0.66

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

57.1

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc65%

EBacc APS5.38

2021

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc68%

EBacc APS-

2019

Progress 8 Score

0.81

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

54.2

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc49%

EBacc APS4.65

2018

Progress 8 Score

0.39

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

48.8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc32%

EBacc APS4.25

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Student Destinations (After Secondary)

This module shows what students did after finishing Key Stage 4 (GCSEs). It reflects how well the school prepares pupils for the real world.

2025

Stayed in Education / Employment

97%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)95%

ApprenticeshipsSP%

Employment1%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)3%

2024

Stayed in Education / Employment

97%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)95%

Apprenticeships0%

Employment1%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)3%

2023

Stayed in Education / Employment

95%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)94%

Apprenticeships0%

Employment1%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)5%

2022

Stayed in Education / Employment

97%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)96%

Apprenticeships0%

Employment1%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)3%

2021

Stayed in Education / Employment

95%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)95%

Apprenticeships1%

Employment0%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)5%

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Sixth Form (A-Level) Performance

A-level results for students who stayed in sixth form at this school. Value added measures how much progress students made relative to their GCSE starting point.

2025

A-Level Value Added

-0.21

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make below-expected progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

B-

Students

106

Grade Breakdown

Achieving A*4.5%

Achieving A*–A20.8%

Achieving A*–B55.2%

VA Banding Below average

Retention rate97.2%

A-level subjects offered14

2024

A-Level Value Added

-0.1

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make broadly expected progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

C+

Students

Retention rate97.80%

2023

Avg Grade

B-

Students

100

Retention rate87.00%

2022

Avg Grade

B+

Students

Retention rate100.0%

Source: DfE A Level and Other 16-18 Results

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

24 April 2024

Inspection Report

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03 July 2013

Inspection Report

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14 June 2010

Inspection Report

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03 March 2009

Inspection Report

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18 November 2008

Inspection Report

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02 February 2007

Inspection Report

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18 April 2005

Inspection Report

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Inspection Report

Inspection History

3 Evaluations

2024-04-24

S5 Inspection EIF

Outstanding

Education

Outstanding

Behaviour

Outstanding

Development

Outstanding

Leadership

Outstanding

2013-07-03

S5 Inspection EIF

Outstanding

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Outstanding

2008-11-18

None EIF

Outstanding

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Outstanding

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

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Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Official Department for Education (DfE) data. Suspensions measure temporary removals due to behavior, while exclusions represent permanent removals.

Suspension Rate

2.7%per term

sentiment_satisfied Below Average (Good)

National average: 7.3% for this term (secondary).

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

2.0%(26 pupils)

Spring term 2025

Represents the proportion of unique students suspended at least once in this term.

Permanent Exclusions

1pupils

gavel Exclusion recorded

National average: 7.398% of pupils excluded per term.

Pastoral Context: In the Spring term of 2025, this school served a headcount of 1,281 pupils. During this period, there were 35 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 2.7%, which is below the termly national average of 7.3%.

View Historical Disciplinary Records (2017–2025)keyboard_arrow_down

Year / Term	Headcount	Suspensions	Susp. Rate	Nat. Avg	Perm. Excl.
2024/25 (Spring term)	1,281	35	2.7%	7.3%	1
2024/25 (Autumn term)	1,288	25	1.9%	7.8%	1
2023/24 (Summer term)	1,301	16	1.2%	7.4%	1
2023/24 (Spring term)	1,304	13	1.0%	7.1%	1
2023/24 (Autumn term)	1,308	14	1.1%	8.2%	0
2022/23 (Summer term)	1,291	2	0.2%	6.6%	1
2022/23 (Spring term)	1,291	2	0.2%	6.4%	0
2022/23 (Autumn term)	1,289	2	0.2%	5.9%	0
2021/22 (Summer term)	1,259	4	0.3%	4.7%	0
2021/22 (Spring term)	1,257	1	0.1%	4.9%	0
2021/22 (Autumn term)	1,261	13	1.0%	4.4%	0
2020/21 (Summer term)	1,271	1	0.1%	3.6%	0
2020/21 (Spring term)	1,275	0	0.0%	1.0%	0
2020/21 (Autumn term)	1,266	2	0.2%	3.9%	0
2019/20 (Summer term)	1,249	0	0.0%	0.0%	0
2019/20 (Spring term)	1,249	0	0.0%	3.2%	0
2019/20 (Autumn term)	1,253	14	1.1%	4.2%	0
2018/19 (Summer term)	1,226	0	0.0%	3.1%	0
2018/19 (Spring term)	1,234	0	0.0%	3.8%	0
2018/19 (Autumn term)	1,230	1	0.1%	3.8%	0
2017/18 (Summer term)	1,217	5	0.4%	3.4%	0
2017/18 (Spring term)	1,207	7	0.6%	3.0%	0
2017/18 (Autumn term)	1,220	4	0.3%	3.7%	0
2016/17 (Summer term)	1,243	4	0.3%	3.0%	0
2016/17 (Spring term)	1,245	18	1.4%	3.3%	0
2016/17 (Autumn term)	1,236	5	0.4%	3.1%	0

Source: DfE Suspensions and Permanent Exclusions in England. Data represents termly statistics as published by the Department for Education.

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Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Primary areas of need currently supported by the school. A high number often indicates specialized internal units or high staff experience in these areas.

Speech, Language & Communication 113 pupils

Social, Emotional & Mental Health 52 pupils

Specific Learning Difficulty 12 pupils

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 8 pupils

Hearing Impairment 8 pupils

Moderate Learning Difficulty 7 pupils

Physical Disability 7 pupils

Other Difficulty/Disability 4 pupils

Severe Learning Difficulty 3 pupils

health_and_safety

Parent View on Pastoral Care

Results from the official Ofsted Parent View survey, reflecting direct parent sentiment regarding the school environment.

My child is happy at this school.

88.0%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

96.0%Positive

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

20.0%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree64%

agree32%

strongly disagree4%

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

strongly agree36%

agree52%

disagree8%

strongly disagree4%

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

strongly agree24%

agree28%

disagree12%

not applicable36%

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

The school has high expectations for my child.

strongly agree56%

agree36%

strongly disagree4%

don't know4%

My child does well at this school.

strongly agree60%

agree32%

disagree4%

don't know4%

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

strongly agree40%

agree44%

disagree12%

strongly disagree4%

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

strongly agree48%

agree40%

disagree4%

strongly disagree4%

don't know4%

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

strongly agree40%

agree44%

disagree8%

strongly disagree4%

don't know4%

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

strongly agree40%

agree36%

disagree12%

strongly disagree8%

don't know4%

I would recommend this school to another parent.

yes92%

no8%

Top Secondary Schools in Tower Hamlets

Other highly-ranked schools in the same local authority

View all arrow_forward

Mulberry School for Girls

Outstanding

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Stepney All Saints Church of England Secondary School

Outstanding

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Central Foundation Girls' School

Good

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emoji_events #4 in LA

Canary Wharf College Crossharbour

Requires improvement

location_on London, E14 9GL

emoji_events #5 in LA

Oaklands School

Good

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emoji_events #6 in LA

St Paul's Way Trust School

Good

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emoji_events #7 in LA

View all schools in Tower Hamlets arrow_forward

School Summary

Academic Performance

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

Student Destinations (After Secondary)

Sixth Form (A-Level) Performance

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Inspection History

Admissions Insight

How Places Are Allocated

Distance to School

School Capacity

Secondary Admission Trends

Students & School Environment

School Size

Language Diversity

Inclusive Support

Attendance

Ethnicity Breakdown

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Parent View on Pastoral Care

My child is happy at this school.

My child feels safe at this school.

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

The school has high expectations for my child.

My child does well at this school.

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

I would recommend this school to another parent.

Funding & Staffing

School Funding Allocation

Funding Breakdown

Staffing

Teacher Turnover

Top Secondary Schools in Tower Hamlets

Mulberry School for Girls

Stepney All Saints Church of England Secondary School

Central Foundation Girls' School

Canary Wharf College Crossharbour

Oaklands School

St Paul's Way Trust School