Sydenham School
Dartmouth Road, London, SE26 4RDOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Sydenham School is a secondary school in Lewisham for ages 11 to 18. It is one of the 94 schools in Lewisham. It ranks 5th of 14 secondary schools in Lewisham. Its latest Ofsted outcome is a report card, from an inspection in May 2026.
Ofsted report card
Inspected 19 May 2026, report published 6 July 2026
Each area is graded from urgent improvement to exceptional, and safeguarding is either met or not met.
- Inclusion
- Strong standard
- Curriculum and teaching
- Expected standard
- Achievement
- Expected standard
- Attendance and behaviour
- Strong standard
- Personal development and wellbeing
- Strong standard
- Leadership and governance
- Strong standard
- Post-16 provision
- Strong standard
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 19 May 2026
Pupils are proud to be at Sydenham School. They enjoy attending school and make positive contributions to their learning and to the wider school community. Pupils benefit from positive relationships with staff and with their peers. They feel safe and know that they can report any concerns about bullying to staff, which are dealt with appropriately. Pupils benefit from the excellent pastoral support that staff provide. Pupils typically develop their knowledge and skills through a broad and balanced curriculum. Pupils enjoy learning and actively participate in lessons. The school ensures that pupils who experience any barriers to their learning are well catered for. Pupils are supported to keep up with their learning effectively. Pupils benefit from a well-crafted personal development offer. Pupils are articulate, mature and responsible individuals. They actively participate and embrace the leadership opportunities at the school. The ‘Sydenham Entitlement’ ensures that all pupils benefit from an extensive range of extra-curricular trips and residentials. Themed weeks such as 'culture week' enhance their ability to appreciate the wider world, different perspectives and proactively contribute to the school community and beyond. These opportunities support pupils to strengthen their character and prepare for the future. Pupils become confident, resilient individuals who can work independently but also work effectively together. Pupils especially appreciate and are proud of the visual and performing arts on offer. For example, they take great pride in participating in art sessions, and the extensive number of rock bands, drama productions and dance showcases available. Students in the sixth form are proud ambassadors of the school. They benefit from a curriculum that caters for a wide range of needs. Students attend well and enjoy positive experiences. Students make significant contributions to the school, including running 'societies' and supporting younger pupils in their development.
What the school should improve
- Leaders should ensure teachers consistently check pupils’ understanding to identify and address gaps in pupils' knowledge and understanding so that pupils achieve highly across the curriculum.
Exam results
GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25
218 pupils in the year group
A level results (key stage 5), 2024/25
116 students
Average A level grade B, England average B-
Pupil numbers and mix
1,467 pupils on roll, with places for 1,580
Schools near Sydenham School
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forest Hill School | 0.5 miles | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 52.3 |
| Sydenham & Dulwich Girls GDST | 0.6 miles | No Ofsted inspection | Attainment 8: 49.0 |
| Kingsdale Foundation School | 1 mile | Ofsted: Outstanding | Attainment 8: 59.9 |
| Dulwich Prep & Senior | 1 mile | No Ofsted inspection | Not published |
| Dulwich College | 1 mile | No Ofsted inspection | Attainment 8: 17.0 |
School details
- School type
- Community school
- Sector
- Local authority maintained
- Age range
- 11 to 18
- Gender
- Girls
- Sixth form
- Yes
- Headteacher
- Mrs Emma Wijnberg
- Phone
- 02086996731
- Address
- Dartmouth Road, London, SE26 4RD
- Local authority
- Lewisham
- URN
- 100741
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.