Ofsted: Outstanding trending_up Places Available emoji_events #1 in Merton public Top 4% UK

Rutlish School

verifiedData: DfE & Ofsted 2024/25

personMs Laura Howarth

location_onLondon, SW20 9AD

language Visit Website phone 2085421212

verified

Ofsted

Outstanding

Inspected 2024

groups

Students

1,458

trending_up

Attainment 8

60.5

leaderboard

GCSE Rank

#1 in Merton

#243 of 3,216 nationally

summarize

Rutlish School is a Voluntary controlled school secondary school in London, serving ages 11-19. Rated Outstanding by Ofsted — the highest possible grade.

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School Summary

Rutlish School is a voluntary controlled school in London, Merton, admitting pupils aged 11-19. It has a sixth form offering post-16 education. The school has approximately 1,491 pupils on roll, of whom 24% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2025, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 60.5, placing the school #1 in Merton and #243 of 3,216 nationally. 67.40% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths. 41.2% of all GCSE entries were graded 9–7.

The sixth form offers 22 A-level subjects. 58.0% of A-level entries were graded A*–B, with 29.1% at A*–A. A-level value added: -0.06 — sixth-form progress was broadly average.

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.

In the most recent admissions cycle, applications were at 0.9× capacity.

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 16.6:1. There are no current teaching vacancies.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there were no permanent exclusions. The average suspension rate was 1.6 per 1,000 pupils per term.

verified Source: Department for Education 2024/25, Ofsted

Academic Performance

verified Data: UK Gov 2024/25

analytics

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

2025

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

60.5

Grade 5+ E&M

67.40%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)41.2%

Entering EBacc48.90%

EBacc APS5.54

2024

Progress 8 Score

0.68

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

55.2

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc57.60%

EBacc APS5.12

2023

Progress 8 Score

0.91

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

58.8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc45%

EBacc APS5.29

2022

Progress 8 Score

0.72

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc48%

EBacc APS5.21

2021

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc44%

EBacc APS-

2019

Progress 8 Score

0.82

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

54.9

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc43%

EBacc APS4.71

2018

Progress 8 Score

0.5

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

52.7

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc44%

EBacc APS4.54

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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

95%

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

Apprenticeships0%

Employment0%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)3%

2024

Stayed in Education / Employment

96%

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

Apprenticeships0%

EmploymentSP%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)3%

2023

Stayed in Education / Employment

96%

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

Apprenticeships0%

Employment1%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)3%

2022

Stayed in Education / Employment

96%

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

Apprenticeships1%

Employment1%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)2%

2021

Stayed in Education / Employment

94%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)92%

Apprenticeships0%

Employment1%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)3%

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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

-0.06

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make broadly expected progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

B-

Students

126

Grade Breakdown

Achieving A*9.6%

Achieving A*–A29.1%

Achieving A*–B58.0%

VA Banding Average

Retention rate97.6%

A-level subjects offered22

2024

A-Level Value Added

+0.11

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make above-average progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

B-

Students

100

Retention rate100.00%

2023

Avg Grade

B-

Students

118

Retention rate100.00%

2022

Avg Grade

Students

Retention rate99.0%

Source: DfE A Level and Other 16-18 Results

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

24 September 2024

Inspection Report

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26 April 2022

Inspection Report

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25 April 2017

Inspection Report

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21 March 2013

Inspection Report

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27 January 2010

Inspection Report

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19 June 2008

Inspection Report

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13 June 2007

Inspection Report

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09 July 2001

Inspection Report

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Inspection Report

Inspection History

3 Evaluations

2024-09-24

S5 Inspection EIF

Not Judged

info

Why no overall grade?

From autumn 2024, Ofsted stopped issuing a single headline grade (Outstanding / Good / RI / Inadequate). Instead, each inspection area is graded individually. This follows a major review after the death of headteacher Ruth Perry in 2023. The overall effectiveness field is left as "Not judged" in the published data.

Education

Outstanding

Behaviour

Outstanding

Development

Outstanding

Leadership

Outstanding

2017-04-25

Maintained Academy and School Short inspection Legacy

Outstanding

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Outstanding

2013-03-21

None Legacy

Good

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Good

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

gavel

Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

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

Suspension Rate

1.5%per term

sentiment_satisfied Below Average (Good)

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

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

1.3%(20 pupils)

Spring term 2025

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

Permanent Exclusions

0pupils

verified Excellent (Zero)

National average: 7.398% of pupils excluded per term.

Pastoral Context: In the Spring term of 2025, this school served a headcount of 1,491 pupils. During this period, there were 23 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 1.5%, 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)	1,491	23	1.5%	7.3%	0
2024/25 (Autumn term)	1,492	26	1.7%	7.8%	0
2023/24 (Summer term)	1,473	24	1.6%	7.4%	0
2023/24 (Spring term)	1,477	47	3.2%	7.1%	0
2023/24 (Autumn term)	1,485	45	3.0%	8.2%	0
2022/23 (Summer term)	1,459	24	1.6%	6.6%	0
2022/23 (Spring term)	1,458	28	1.9%	6.4%	0
2022/23 (Autumn term)	1,472	36	2.4%	5.9%	0
2021/22 (Summer term)	1,439	35	2.4%	4.7%	0
2021/22 (Spring term)	1,434	37	2.6%	4.9%	0
2021/22 (Autumn term)	1,437	32	2.2%	4.4%	0
2020/21 (Summer term)	1,393	24	1.7%	3.6%	1
2020/21 (Spring term)	1,400	5	0.4%	1.0%	0
2020/21 (Autumn term)	1,404	20	1.4%	3.9%	0
2019/20 (Summer term)	1,349	0	0.0%	0.0%	0
2019/20 (Spring term)	1,349	13	1.0%	3.2%	0
2019/20 (Autumn term)	1,347	19	1.4%	4.2%	2
2018/19 (Summer term)	1,320	31	2.3%	3.1%	0
2018/19 (Spring term)	1,325	42	3.2%	3.8%	3
2018/19 (Autumn term)	1,332	40	3.0%	3.8%	1
2017/18 (Summer term)	1,316	48	3.6%	3.4%	0
2017/18 (Spring term)	1,320	29	2.2%	3.0%	2
2017/18 (Autumn term)	1,328	31	2.3%	3.7%	0
2016/17 (Summer term)	1,300	42	3.2%	3.0%	1
2016/17 (Spring term)	1,304	33	2.5%	3.3%	1
2016/17 (Autumn term)	1,323	36	2.7%	3.1%	1

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.

Specific Learning Difficulty 113 pupils

Social, Emotional & Mental Health 81 pupils

Speech, Language & Communication 57 pupils

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 40 pupils

Moderate Learning Difficulty 14 pupils

Physical Disability 6 pupils

Multi-Sensory Impairment 2 pupils

Other Difficulty/Disability 2 pupils

Hearing Impairment 1 pupils

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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.

93.0%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

94.0%Positive

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

13.0%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree60%

agree30%

disagree4%

strongly disagree1%

don't know5%

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

strongly agree41%

agree41%

disagree11%

strongly disagree5%

don't know2%

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

strongly agree35%

agree17%

disagree10%

strongly disagree4%

don't know1%

not applicable34%

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

yes25%

no75%

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

strongly agree49%

agree27%

disagree12%

strongly disagree10%

dont know2%

The school has high expectations for my child.

strongly agree62%

agree26%

disagree6%

strongly disagree1%

don't know5%

My child does well at this school.

strongly agree57%

agree33%

disagree5%

strongly disagree1%

don't know4%

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

strongly agree46%

agree40%

disagree7%

strongly disagree4%

don't know4%

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

strongly agree68%

agree30%

disagree1%

strongly disagree1%

don't know1%

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

strongly agree65%

agree32%

disagree2%

strongly disagree1%

don't know1%

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

strongly agree52%

agree37%

disagree4%

strongly disagree4%

don't know4%

I would recommend this school to another parent.

yes92%

no8%

Top Secondary Schools in Merton

Other highly-ranked schools in the same local authority

View all arrow_forward

Harris Academy Wimbledon

Outstanding

location_on London, SW19 2JY

emoji_events #2 in LA

Wimbledon College

Good

location_on London, SW19 4NS

emoji_events #3 in LA

Ricards Lodge High School

Outstanding

location_on London, SW19 7HB

emoji_events #4 in LA

Harris Academy Merton

Outstanding

location_on Mitcham, CR4 1BP

emoji_events #5 in LA

Harris Academy Morden

Outstanding

location_on Morden, SM4 6DU

emoji_events #6 in LA

St Mark's Church of England Academy

Outstanding

location_on Mitcham, CR4 1SF

emoji_events #7 in LA

View all schools in Merton 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 Merton

Harris Academy Wimbledon

Wimbledon College

Ricards Lodge High School

Harris Academy Merton

Harris Academy Morden

St Mark's Church of England Academy