The City of London Academy Southwark, a prominent educational institution in South London, has earned significant praise from Ofsted inspectors for its exceptional inclusivity and high academic performance. The school recently received a 'Strong standard' rating across six key areas, with one area rated at 'Expected standard', highlighting its commitment to excellence in education.
Basketball Academy: A Pathway to Success
One of the standout features noted in the Ofsted report is the school's Basketball Academy, which has been operating for over 12 years. This academy serves as a powerful platform for sixth-form students, with teams competing in national leagues and achieving remarkable success. Each year, up to 10 students from the academy secure fully funded basketball scholarships to universities in the United States, a program that has proven transformative for many young athletes.
While no former students have yet reached the NBA, the academy is on the cusp of a major milestone. Former student Tobi Lawal is expected to be selected in the upcoming NBA draft, showcasing the academy's ability to nurture top-tier talent. Principal Mike Baxter emphasized the academy's impact, stating, "Our Basketball Academy is hugely powerful. It acts as a wonderful source of inspiration for younger students needing student athlete role models."
Academic Excellence and Inclusivity
The Ofsted report commended the school for its ambitious curriculum and effective teaching methods. Inspectors noted that teachers possess deep subject knowledge and consistently monitor student understanding, adapting their approaches as needed to ensure concepts are firmly grasped. The school's policies on inclusion were particularly praised, with an 'inclusive by design' mission that actively reduces barriers to learning.
Staff collaborate effectively with external agencies to identify and meet individual student needs, using tools like 'pupil information profiles' for those with education, health, and care plans. This tailored support has led to strong outcomes for all students, including those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Baxter attributed this success to "relentlessly being the wind in our students' sails and holding the line on our behaviour policy."
Future Ambitions and Infrastructure
Looking ahead, the school aims to elevate its academic standing from the top 20 per cent nationally for progress and achievement to the top five per cent. To support these goals, a new £3.2 million sports hall, purpose-built for basketball, is set to open later this year. This facility will enhance the academy's training capabilities and further solidify its reputation as a hub for athletic and academic development.
Baxter highlighted the broader impact of the Basketball Academy, noting that it attracts students from private schools who seek both highly academic A-levels and competitive basketball opportunities. He added, "These scholarships are utterly game changing and can even lead to professional contracts in the United States."
Ofsted's Recommendations
The report also outlined areas for improvement, such as ensuring the curriculum for relationships and sex education and health education is fully implemented to provide students with a more detailed understanding. However, the overall tone was highly positive, with inspectors acknowledging the school leaders' in-depth understanding of necessary improvements and the proactive training provided to teachers.
Sponsored by the City of London Corporation and run by the City of London Academies Trust, CoLA Southwark continues to set high expectations for its students. As Baxter concluded, "We're a great place to work, study, and succeed," reflecting the school's dedication to fostering an environment where every student can thrive.
