Is The Palmer Catholic Academy a good school?

Ofsted inspected the school on 3 February 2026 under its report-card framework and graded four areas at Expected standard and three at Needs attention. Safeguarding was judged Met. On the FindGreatSchools composite score it is graded C, 15th of 19 secondary schools in Redbridge. The profile sets out the figures behind both.

What are The Palmer Catholic Academy's GCSE results?

In the 2026 GCSEs, pupils at The Palmer Catholic Academy averaged an Attainment 8 score of 48.5 (England: 46.2). 46.5% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths.

How do I apply for a place at The Palmer Catholic Academy?

Applications for Year 7 places at The Palmer Catholic Academy starting in September 2027 close on 31 October 2026. You apply through the council where you live, even for a school in another area, and offers are made on National Offer Day, 1 March 2027 (or the next working day).

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The Palmer Catholic Academy

Aldborough Road South, Seven Kings, Ilford, IG3 8EU

Local ranking15th of 19 secondary schools in Redbridge

Ofsted: ExpectedUpdated

Secondary

Phase

1174

Capacity

11-18

Age range

Mixed

Gender

Latest data: 2026 GCSEs · 2025 A-levels · Ofsted inspection 3 February 2026. Figures last updated 15 October 2026.

Ofsted Report Card

Inspected 3 February 2026 under Ofsted's renewed framework

View on Ofsted

Safeguarding standards Met

Achievement: Expected standard
Curriculum & teaching: Needs attention
Attendance & behaviour: Expected standard
Personal development & wellbeing: Needs attention
Leadership & governance: Expected standard
Inclusion: Expected standard
Post-16 provision: Needs attention

Scale: Exceptional · Strong · Expected · Needs attention · Urgent improvement

Year:

GCSE Results

2025-26

Average Attainment 8: 48.5 nat46.2
Grade 5+ Eng & Maths: 46.5% nat46.3%
Grade 4+ Eng & Maths: 67.4% nat64.8%
Cohort Size: 187

Destinations

After GCSE 2024-25

Sustained education/employment: 95.0%
Continued in education: 94.0%
Apprenticeships: 0.0%
Employment: 1.0%
Not sustained: 3.0%

After A-Levels 2024-25

Sustained education/employment: 83.0%
Higher education: 64.0%
Apprenticeships: 1.0%
Employment: 16.0%
Not sustained: 11.0%

A-Level Results

2024-25

*Data not available for 2025-26 — showing latest available results

Avg A-Level Grade

30.9

Avg Points/Entry

nat 35.0

30.4

Best 3 A-Levels

nat 35.8

106

A-Level Students

AAB+ with Facilitating: 9.4% nat17.5%
16-18 Cohort: 206

Pupil Demographics

2024-25

Total Pupils: 1155
Boys: 640 (57%)
Girls: 492 (43%)
Capacity: 1174 (96% full)
SEND: 9.6%
FSM Eligible: 29.2%
EAL: 37.8%
SEN with EHC Plan: 1.7%
SEN Support: 7.9%
Pupil:Teacher Ratio: 16.9:1
Teachers (FTE): 68.4
Budget per Pupil: £8,203/yr

Attendance & Absence

2024-25

*Data not available for 2025-26 — showing latest available results

Overall Absence Rate: 7.3% nat6.2%
Persistent Absence: 24.1% nat15.8%

Persistent absence: pupils missing 10%+ of sessions.

School Information

Type: Academy converter
Phase: Secondary
Religious Character: Roman Catholic
Nursery: Not applicable
Sixth Form: Has a sixth form
Boarders: No boarders
Admissions: Non-selective

Pupil Ethnicity

2024-25

Black African: 19.4%
Asian Indian: 16.3%
Asian Pakistani: 12.9%
Asian Bangladeshi: 11.4%
White Other: 8.7%
Asian Other: 8.3%
Black Caribbean: 4.3%
White British: 3.9%

19.4%

Black African

16.3%

Asian Indian

12.9%

Asian Pakistani

Historical Trends

GCSE Performance

Pupil Demographics

Attendance & Absence

Contact & Location

02085903808

office@tpc.academy

Visit website

Aldborough Road South

Ilford, London

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Administrative

URN: 137088
UKPRN: 10034821
Establishment No.: 4800
Trust: THE GOOD SHEPHERD CATHOLIC TRUST

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