City of London Academy (Southwark) is a mainstream secondary school in Southwark, London, for children and young people aged 11 to 19. In January 2026, 270 of its 1,589 pupils (17%) were getting SEN support and 40 (2.5%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 11–19
- 1,589 pupils
- Ofsted report card (2026)
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state secondary schools across England and in Southwark.
17% get SEN support
270 of 1,589 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
About the same as the England average.
2.5% have an EHC plan
40 of 1,589 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
Lower than the England average.
Most common needs
- Social, emotional and mental health145
- Specific learning difficulty, such as dyslexia56
- Autism47
- Speech, language and communication31
- Moderate learning difficulty24
Pupils by their main need, on SEN support or with an EHC plan. Needs with fewer than 5 pupils aren’t shown.
Figures show how many children the school supports, not how well. To see how it would support your child, talk to the SENCO and read its SEN information report on the school’s website.
School details
- Type
- Mainstream secondary school
- Run as
- Academy (sponsored)
- Ages
- 11 to 19
- Boys and girls
- Boys and girls
- Pupils
- 1,589 (places for 1,200)
- Headteacher
- Jon Lynes (Principal)
- Part of
- City of London Academies Trust
- Free school meals
- 52.5% of pupils eligible
- Council
- Southwark
- School reference (URN)
- 134222
How SEN support works
4 steps, from a first chat to an EHC plan
- Talk to the class teacher and the SENCO
If you’re worried about your child, ask for a meeting. Every school has a SENCO (special educational needs co-ordinator). Your child doesn’t need a diagnosis to get help.
- SEN support
The school should work out what your child needs, agree a plan with you, put it in place and review it together, usually each term. This is called SEN support.
- An EHC needs assessment
If your child needs more help than the school can usually give, you or the school can ask Southwark council for an EHC needs assessment. It can lead to an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan, which the council must make sure is delivered.
- Free, independent advice
Your local SENDIASS can help at any stage, and can come to meetings with the school with you.
Questions to ask the SENCO
10 questions to tick off as you go
Ticks stay on this device, so you can use them at the meeting.
Ofsted
Report card, February 2026: Strong standard in 6 of 7 areas
Inspected in February 2026 under Ofsted’s new report cards, which grade each area separately, from Exceptional to Urgent improvement, instead of one overall grade.
- InclusionStrong standard
- Curriculum and teachingStrong standard
- AchievementStrong standard
- Attendance and behaviourStrong standard
- Personal development and wellbeingExpected standard
- Post-16Strong standard
- Leadership and governanceStrong standard
- SafeguardingMet
Contact and getting there
240 Lynton Road, London, SE1 5LA
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Directions: Walk Public transport Drive
Email me these details
The school’s details, its SEN figures and the questions to ask the SENCO, in your inbox.
Nearby
Specialist schools and SEN units
- Spa School, Bermondsey Special school · Ages 11–19 · Ofsted: Good 0.2 miles
- Treasure House (London) CIC Independent · Ages 14–19 · Ofsted: Good 0.5 miles
- Kintore Way Nursery School Mainstream + base · Ages 2–4 · Ofsted: Outstanding 0.6 miles
- Hermitage Primary School Mainstream + base · Ages 3–11 · Ofsted: Requires improvement 1.1 miles
Other mainstream schools
- Galleywall Primary, City of London Academy Primary · Ages 4–11 · SEN support 21.4%, EHC plans 5.5% 0.2 miles
- Phoenix Primary School Primary · Ages 3–11 · SEN support 17.9%, EHC plans 4.2% 0.2 miles
- John Keats Primary School Primary · Ages 4–11 · SEN support 32.6%, EHC plans 5.8% 0.2 miles
All mainstream schools in Southwark SEND schools in Southwark
Questions about City of London Academy (Southwark)
How many pupils at City of London Academy (Southwark) have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 270 of the 1,589 pupils (17%) were getting SEN support and 40 (2.5%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state secondary schools it is 14.1% and 3.5%.
What are the most common needs at City of London Academy (Southwark)?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (145 pupils), dyslexia and other specific learning difficulties (56 pupils) and autism (47 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at City of London Academy (Southwark)?
The SENCO (special educational needs co-ordinator). Every school has one, and every school must publish an SEN information report on its website explaining how it supports pupils with SEND.
How do I apply for a place at City of London Academy (Southwark)?
Through Southwark council’s school admissions, in the normal application round or during the year. If your child has an EHC plan, you don’t apply this way: you ask for the school to be named in the plan instead.
Can my child with an EHC plan go to City of London Academy (Southwark)?
You can ask for City of London Academy (Southwark) to be named in your child’s EHC plan. The council must consult the school and name it, unless it would be unsuitable for your child’s age, ability or needs, or would affect other children’s education or the efficient use of resources.
Does City of London Academy (Southwark) have an SEN unit or resourced provision?
Not according to the Department for Education’s register of schools. The nearest mainstream school with one is Kintore Way Nursery School, about 0.6 miles away.
Where is City of London Academy (Southwark)?
240 Lynton Road, London, SE1 5LA, in Southwark.
School data: DfE Get Information About Schools, SEN figures from DfE Special educational needs in England (the January school census), under the Open Government Licence. Postcode lookups by postcodes.io: contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right, Royal Mail data © Royal Mail copyright and database right, and National Statistics data © Crown copyright and database right. Distances are as the crow flies. Always check details and admissions with the school and your council.