The Charter School

We are a family school because we are large enough to provide a dynamic, challenging curriculum yet small enough to pay attention to the needs of every child.   We know that each child is different – but each child deserves success. Like every family, we have rules and routines and we have high expectations for each child. Visitors always tell me what a happy well behaved school it is: Pupils love it here, because they feel inspired, busy, helped and challenged – but above all, because they feel, are made to feel, successful.

We are a school with high standards and high achievement. We have twice been rated Outstanding by OFSTED. We are a High Performing Specialist School: in the top 7% of our profession nationally.  We are the only school in Southwark to have improved student achievement for 6 years.   Our results this year included securing five A*-C GCSE grades for over 95% of our year 11 students – are substantially ahead of national and borough averages. Our English and maths results are outstanding.

The most academically able students at The Charter School do as well as they would in any selective school.  More than 10% of the school are on the gifted and talented register. As an all- inclusive school, these students come from all backgrounds. All achieved 10 or more A*/As in their GCSEs  this summer – the national average is 3. These are the best results in Southwark.

We are a caring, inclusive school focussed on treating children as individuals. We are passionate about inspiring every child with a love of learning.

We inspire young people through our dynamic curriculum. We combine excellence in traditional subjects with leadership in newer subjects that prepare them for a productive place in a globalized economy. We achieve this even within a single department. For example, we have excellent results in Latin and in Mandarin. 

Our brilliant science and maths teaching leads the way in south London.  It leads pupils to success in Maths, Further Maths, Biology, Chemistry and Physics and inspires them to join the best universities to train as mathematicians, scientists and medics. It would not surprise you to learn we offer fast track classes in English, Maths,  Science and Foreign Languages..

Exceptional Music, Drama and Art teachers have nurtured the talents of young people who have who have gained places at institutions such as RADA and The Royal Academy of Music and have now achieved national recognition.

We care for each child through our outstanding pastoral care – recognised and celebrated by OfSTED, which focuses on helping each child learn.   Our pioneering use of small classes and small group teaching is copied widely. We piloted and won National Recognition for our success in 1 2 1 tuition. We know our small teaching groups lead to high standards.

Beyond the classroom we offer world class coaching in PE and athletics. We work with some of the City’s largest firms who provide mentoring, work skills training and work experience. We show our pupils the world beyond the classroom. Last year we ran over 200 trips and visits – from City firms to Ghana, Cornwall to Berlin, Cambridge to Harvard, Yale and New York.

These achievements reflect our outstanding facilities, our modern learning environment and our highly dynamic well-qualified staff.   We use the latest technologies to assist learning – from our hugely well-resourced VLE (Virtual Learning Environment) to Mac rooms for DT, art and photography, from dedicated music suites to on-line revision resources downloaded to iPods or mobile phones. Our latest technologies are not just there for our pupils’ benefit but also to allow parents to track attainment, homework and attendance too. We use latest technologies to communicate with parents using text and email. We want you to know what we as teachers are doing to inspire, to engage your child.  Good families share success.   Our reporting system – The Charter Standard - has national and OfSTED acclaim.

The young people who joined us when the school opened in 2000 left University this year with 2:1s and first class degrees – happy, high achievers who went to their local school. We know you expect nothing less for your own children. We really hope The Charter School sounds like the sort of family you want to be a part of.   Please do explore our website to find out more and come and see us!

David Sheppard, head teacher