National Secondary Offer Day 2022

Ten of the fourteen secondary schools in Lewisham have seen an increase in first preferences this year.

In the second year that the COVID-19 pandemic caused huge disruption to education, secondary schools across Lewisham worked hard last autumn to develop a mix of socially distanced and virtual open days, 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 - 62 per cent of Lewisham children were offered a place at their first preference school, and over 91 per cent of children were offered a place at one of their preferred schools.

Headteacher Michael Sullivan from Forest Hill School – one of the schools to receive the highest increase in first preferences – said:

“This year, we were delighted to have record numbers of pupils visiting, and applying for, Forest Hill School. We are a truly local school, wholly reflective of the area of London we serve, and very proud to be educating and inspiring local boys to achieve excellence, no matter what their aptitudes and abilities.”

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

"I’m proud of the way our schools and teachers are continuing to work hard in an ever changing environment to provide quality teaching and learning to children and young people. I’m really pleased to see increasing numbers of Lewisham parents choosing local schools as first preference for their children and I know that Lewisham’s schools can offer them a really good secondary education.  As a result of this growing demand, we are talking to secondary schools about expanding places in some schools for the first time in over a decade.”