A Catholic school rated outstanding by Ofsted where kids get the chance to dine with politicians is Lewisham parents’ most popular secondary school.
Bonus Pastor Catholic College received more first preference applications from parents of kids going into Year Seven than any other school last year, Lewisham Council figures show.
A total of 276 families put the school down as their preferred choice for their child ahead of the 2023/24 academic year.
In 2017, Ofsted praised the school for giving a rotating selection of kids the opportunity to have formal lunches with invited guests on a weekly basis. Previous attendees include former Labour MP Heidi Alexander.
The next most popular secondary schools with Lewisham parents were Prendergast Ladywell School, which received 183 first choice applications and the all girls Sydenham School, which received 176.
Prendergast Ladywell School was rated good by Ofsted at its last inspection in 2019. The school was praised by the education watchdog for giving students the opportunity to take part in yoga, golf and cycling.
Sydenham School was also rated good following its last inspection by Ofsted in 2022. Inspectors praised the school for its initiatives to help students recognise and tackle sexual harassment.
Lewisham’s least popular secondary school with parents is Prendergast Vale School. Just 37 parents put the school down as their first preference for their child last year.
The school was rated good by Ofsted in 2018 and praised for offering students trips to museums and galleries across London.
Also unpopular with parents were St Matthew Academy, which received just 56 first preference applications and Trinity Lewisham CE School, which 59 parents put down as their first choice school for their child.
St Matthew Academy was graded good by Ofsted at its last inspection in 2019. The school was praised for its personal development days, which focused on topics such as online safety.
Trinity Lewisham CE School was also rated good when the education watchdog last paid a visit in 2021.
A list of Lewisham secondary schools from the most popular with parents to the least can be found below:
Bonus Pastor Catholic College, Downham
1st preference applications: 276
Ofsted rating: good
Prendergast Ladywell School, Ladywell
1st preference applications: 183
Ofsted rating: good
Sydenham School, Sydenham
1st preference applications: 176
Ofsted rating: good
Haberdashers’ Hatcham College, New Cross
1st preference applications: 166
Ofsted rating: good
Prendergast School, Brockley
1st preference applications: 156
Ofsted rating: outstanding
Deptford Green School, Deptford
1st preference applications: 121
Ofsted rating: good
Haberdashers’ Knights Academy, Downham
1st preference applications: 119
Ofsted rating: good
Sedgehill Academy, Beckenham
1st preference applications: 111
Ofsted rating: good
Addey and Stanhope School, New Cross
1st preference applications: 89
Ofsted rating: good
Conisborough College, Catford
1st preference applications: 77
Ofsted rating: requires improvement
Forest Hill School, Forest Hill
1st preference applications: 76
Ofsted rating: requires improvement
Trinity Lewisham CE School, Lewisham
1st preference applications: 59
Ofsted rating: good
St Matthew Academy, Blackheath
1st preference applications: 56
Ofsted rating: good
Prendergast Vale School, Lewisham
1st preference applications: 37
Ofsted rating: good
