National Secondary Offer Day 2021

Eight of the fourteen secondary schools in Lewisham saw an increase in first preferences this year by Lewisham residents.

In the year that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused huge disruption to education, secondary schools across Lewisham worked hard last autumn to develop virtual open days, with some also running socially distanced tours so that families could learn about as many schools as possible despite restrictions.

According to figures released yesterday by the Pan London Admissions Board – the body with overall responsibility for co-ordinating school admissions in the capital - over 62 per cent of Lewisham children were offered a place at their first preference school, over 93 per cent of children been offered a place at one of their preferred schools.

Headteacher Niall Hand of Prendergast Ladywell School – one of the schools to receive the highest increase in first preferences – said:

“We believe in the power and importance of a fantastic school serving its local community and contributing to its success. We are delighted that an increasing number of families in our community are choosing Prendergast Ladywell School for the education of their children. We are looking forward to welcoming all our new students and their families to the PLS family in September.”

Cllr Chris Barnham, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People said:

"I’m proud of the way our schools and teachers have worked so hard in an ever changing environment to provide quality teaching and learning to children both at home, and in school. After a year like no other, parents will want to be confident that their child’s new secondary school is going to be right for them. I’m really pleased to see that more Lewisham parents are choosing local schools as their first preference for their children. I know that Lewisham’s schools can offer them a really good secondary education."