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OpenSecondaryOfsted: Strong standardURN 147653

Waterside Academy

Free schools · London · E8 4DL

Ages 11–16 · 351 pupils · Hackney

School website

Ofsted

Strong standard

Attainment 8

48.2

Overall absence

7.2%

Admissions demand

0.78 · Often has places

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

Strong standard

Inspection date

2026-01-27

  • AchievementStrong standard
  • Curriculum and teachingStrong standard
  • InclusionStrong standard
  • Attendance and behaviourStrong standard
  • Personal development and wellbeingStrong standard
  • Leadership and governanceStrong standard

Safeguarding standards: Met

Source: Ofsted monthly management information

Performance

Official school-level results. Figures are not rankings — suppressed values are omitted.

Key stage 4 (2023/24)

Progress 8+1.04
−20+2
Attainment 848.2
English & maths grade 5+60%
English & maths grade 4+68%
EBacc entry57%

EBacc APS: 4.5

Source: DfE school and college performance tables

Absence

Academic year 2023/24. Persistent absence means 10%+ of sessions missed. Lower figures are better.

Overall absence7.2%
Persistent absence (10%+)23.2%
Unauthorised5.0%
Authorised absence
2.2%
Severe absence (50%+)
3.2%
Enrolments in measure
475

Absence trend

2021/22

2022/23

2023/24

  • Overall
  • Persistent (10%+)

Source: DfE pupil absence in schools in England

Admissions demand

Coordinated admissions for secondary entry (2024/25 cycle, national offer day). Demand ratio compares families who listed this school 1st with total offers made — not a catchment or distance guarantee.

Demand ratio

0.78 · Often has places

1st preferences

31

Places offered

51

1st-preference offers

31

Total preferences (any rank)
156
Preferred offers (top 3)
42
Applications from outside LA
13
Offers to outside-LA applicants
3
Admissions policy (GIAS)
Non-selective

Source: DfE primary and secondary school applications and offers. Figures reflect offers on national offer day; late applications, appeals and waiting lists are not included.

Size & intake

From the GIAS school census (15 Jan 2026).

Capacity fill70%

351 pupils · 500 places

Pupils on roll
351
Boys / girls
190 / 161
School capacity
500
Capacity fill
351 / 500 (70%)
Free school meals
65.7%
FSM pupils
230
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Gender
Mixed
School type
Free schools

Age range

Ages 11–16

05111619

Provision

Official GIAS characteristics

0 / 6

  • Nursery
  • Sixth form
  • Boarding
  • Special school
  • Independent
  • Academy

School characteristics

Governance
Academy trust: COMMUNITY SCHOOLS TRUST
Academy trust
COMMUNITY SCHOOLS TRUST
Sponsor
Community Schools Trust
Headteacher
Ms Amy Brown

Location

Address
317-319 Kingsland Road
Postcode
E8 4DL
Town
London
Local authority
Hackney
District
Hackney
Constituency
Hackney South and Shoreditch
Urban/rural
Urban: Nearer to a major town or city

Local context

How this school sits among open establishments in its area, using official GIAS records. These are counts, not rankings.

Mixed free schools (secondary), Ages 11–16, in London, Hackney, 351 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: non-selective admissions. Free school meals: 65.7%.

Open schools in London
1846
Secondary schools in London
249
Academies among open schools in London
23% (427)
Open schools in E8
10
Secondary in E8
2
Open schools in Hackney LA
104
Secondary in Hackney LA
16

Nearby secondary schools

Open schools within about 3 miles, prioritising the same phase where possible. Distances are approximate from GIAS coordinates.

Compare with theseAll in LondonNear E8

  • The Bridge Academy

    Ofsted: School remains Good

    Academy sponsor led · Secondary

    London · E2 8BA · Hackney

    Ages 11–19

    • Att855.3
    • P80.5
    • EM5+65%
    • Absence8.0%

    0.3 miles away

  • Mulberry Academy Shoreditch

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy converter · Secondary

    London · E2 6NW · Tower Hamlets

    Ages 11–19

    • Att849.6
    • P80.0
    • EM5+51%
    • Absence6.6%

    0.8 miles away

  • City of London Academy Islington

    Ofsted: Standards maintained

    Academy sponsor led · Secondary

    London · N1 8PQ · Islington

    Ages 11–18

    • Att845.5
    • P80.1
    • EM5+37%
    • Absence10.8%

    0.9 miles away

  • Oaklands School

    Ofsted: Strong standard

    Community school · Secondary

    London · E2 6PR · Tower Hamlets

    Ages 11–18

    • Att853.5
    • P80.4
    • EM5+56%
    • Absence9.1%

    0.9 miles away

  • The Excelsior Academy

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy sponsor led · Secondary

    London · E8 2EY · Hackney

    Ages 11–18

    • Att849.5
    • P80.5
    • EM5+48%
    • Absence7.8%

    0.9 miles away

  • Central Foundation Boys' School

    Ofsted: Not judged

    Voluntary aided school · Secondary

    London · EC2A 4SH · Islington

    Ages 11–18

    • Att855.3
    • P80.6
    • EM5+62%
    • Absence6.6%

    1.0 miles away

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Contact

Headteacher
Ms Amy Brown
Telephone
02038707500
Website
https://www.watersidecst.org

Official links