Haberdashers' Borough Academy

  • Secondary
  • Free school
  • Ages 11 to 18
Ofsted: Good

94B Southwark Bridge Road, London, SE1 0EXOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

Haberdashers' Borough Academy is a secondary school in Southwark for ages 11 to 18. It is one of the 115 schools in Southwark. It ranks 14th of 20 secondary schools in Southwark. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in March 2024.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 5 March 2024, report published 25 April 2024

Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Outstanding
Safeguarding
Met

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 5 March 2024

There is a strong community at the heart of this growing school. The school values of community, kindness, aspiration and resilience are lived out by pupils and staff. Staff take time to get to know their pupils well and relationships are positive. Great care is taken to make sure pupils get the support that they need to be successful. Pupils are safe here and trust that adults will take care of them. The school has high aspirations for all pupils. Pupils behave well and show respect for one another. They have many opportunities to have their voices heard and to contribute to key decisions. There is an active pupil council that has been able to enact changes in the school and lead on events, such as a successful 'Culture Day'. Leaders have ensured that all pupils have access to the wide range of enriching experiences that are available in this central London location. Pupils are exposed to many different ideas through regular visitors such as artists, scientists and historians. Pupils are provided with the opportunity to learn instruments through their music lessons. A high proportion continue with individual lessons, with plentiful opportunities to perform.

What the school should improve

  • In some subjects, the curriculum is not yet fully embedded. Teachers are still developing new curriculum content while working to refine the existing content and develop staff expertise. The school should continue their work to train and support staff as they embed the new curriculum in these subjects.

Exam results

GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25

175 pupils in the year group

Attainment 8 score47.8

47.8, 1.7 above the England average of 46.1.

Grade 5 or above in English and maths42.9%

42.9%, 2.5 percentage points below the England average of 45.4%.

Grade 4 or above in English and maths66.9%

66.9%, 2.1 percentage points above the England average of 64.8%.

Pupils entering the EBacc78.9%

78.9%, 38.4 percentage points above the England average of 40.5%.

EBacc average point score4.65

4.65, 0.56 above the England average of 4.09.

Pupil numbers and mix

983 pupils on roll, with places for 1,150

Eligible for free school meals53.7%

53.7%, 27.2 percentage points above the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language32.8%

32.8%, 11.2 percentage points above the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support18.4%

18.4%, 3.6 percentage points above the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan3.1%

3.1%, 2.9 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near Haberdashers' Borough Academy

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
Notre Dame Catholic Girls' School0.5 milesOfsted: Requires improvementAttainment 8: 42.8
London Nautical, City of London Academy0.5 milesOfsted: Requires improvementNot published
Ark Globe Academy0.5 milesReport card: Strong standard to exceptionalAttainment 8: 48.4
Oasis Academy South Bank0.6 milesOfsted: OutstandingAttainment 8: 54.6
City of London School0.6 milesNo Ofsted inspectionAttainment 8: 39.2

School details

School type
Free schools
Sector
Free school
Trust
HABERDASHERS' ASKE'S FEDERATION TRUST
Age range
11 to 18
Gender
Mixed
Sixth form
Yes
Headteacher
Mr Thomas Howells
Address
94B Southwark Bridge Road, London, SE1 0EX
Local authority
Southwark
URN
147073

School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Exam results for 2024/25 from the Department for Education. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.