What did Ofsted judge Paddington Academy's overall effectiveness to be?

Ofsted judged Paddington Academy's overall effectiveness as Outstanding at its inspection in March 2023, on Ofsted's own scale.

How many pupils attend Paddington Academy?

Paddington Academy has 1,256 pupils on roll.

What ages does Paddington Academy take?

Paddington Academy admits pupils aged 11 to 18.

Where is Paddington Academy located?

Paddington Academy is located in London, W9 2DR, Westminster.

How do I apply to Paddington Academy?

Paddington Academy is a state school. In England you apply through the council where you live, using its common application form, even if the school is in another council area. The national closing date for secondary places is 31 October.

Does Paddington Academy have a religious character?

Yes — Paddington Academy has a religious character of Christian. Faith criteria may apply to admissions; check the school's oversubscription policy for details.

How close do you need to live to get into Paddington Academy?

On offer day for 2026-27 (Year 7), the furthest place offered at Paddington Academy was 0.519 miles from the school. That is the distance the last place reached in one year, not a boundary and not a guarantee — it moves with the number of applicants.

How are Year 7 places decided at Paddington Academy?

When Paddington Academy has more applications than places for 2027-28, they are offered in a published order of priority: 1. Looked After Children / Previously Looked After Children — Looked After Children, Previously Looked After Children, including those that ceased to be so because they were adopted, or became subject to a child arrangements or special guardianship order, as well as a child (who appears to the Admission Committee) to have been in state care outside of England but ceased to be so as a result of being adopted; 2. Exceptional Needs — Children who have medical needs, social needs and special needs which are not covered by an EHCP but mean admission to Paddington Academy is necessary. In such circumstances, the application must be supported by written specific professional advice, e.g., from a doctor or specialist, not a primary school alone. The decision as to whether the academy is uniquely placed to meet the stated need of the applicant will be determined by a panel. The panel will give special consideration to children with a visual impairment; 3. Siblings — Children with an older brother or sister currently attending Paddington Academy in one of Years 7 to 12 and who will continue to do so in one of Years 8 to 13 on the point of admission into the Academy, and 3 further criteria. The school offers 180 places at this entry point.

What is the largest ethnic background at Paddington Academy?

According to the DfE School Census 2025-26, 17% of pupils at Paddington Academy are recorded as Black African. The full ethnic breakdown across all groups is available on the Pupils tab.

Paddington Academy: Ofsted, Results & Catchment 2026

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How close did you need to live?

0.519miles

was the furthest place offered on offer day for 2026-27 (Year 7). That is how far the last place reached in ONE year — not a boundary, and not a guarantee. It moves with the number of applicants, so treat it as a guide rather than a line on a map.

Last distance offered at Paddington Academy, year by year →

How places are decided at Paddington Academy

When there are more applications than places for 2027-28 (Year 7), places are offered in this order of priority. Meeting a higher criterion beats meeting a lower one.

1Looked After Children / Previously Looked After Children — Looked After Children, Previously Looked After Children, including those that ceased to be so because they were adopted, or became subject to a child arrangements or special guardianship order, as well as a child (who appears to the Admission Committee) to have been in state care outside of England but ceased to be so as a result of being adopted.
2Exceptional Needs — Children who have medical needs, social needs and special needs which are not covered by an EHCP but mean admission to Paddington Academy is necessary. In such circumstances, the application must be supported by written specific professional advice, e.g., from a doctor or specialist, not a primary school alone. The decision as to whether the academy is uniquely placed to meet the stated need of the applicant will be determined by a panel. The panel will give special consideration to children with a visual impairment.
3Siblings — Children with an older brother or sister currently attending Paddington Academy in one of Years 7 to 12 and who will continue to do so in one of Years 8 to 13 on the point of admission into the Academy.
4Children of staff — a. where the member of staff has been continuously employed at the school for two or more years at the time at which the application for admission to the school is made; and / or b. the member of staff is recruited to fill a vacant post for which there is a demonstrable skill shortage.
5Feeder school (Wilberforce Primary School) — Children who attend Wilberforce Primary School and are in Year 6 at the time of the admission application deadline.
6Distance — Distance from home to school measured as a straight line.

After the allocation of children with an Education, Health, and Care (EHC) Plan, the admission criteria will be applied in the stated order of priority. Sixth form entry arrangements are not detailed in this document (refer to school website).

Published by the admission authority. Meeting a criterion never guarantees a place — it sets the order places are offered in. Full detail, other entry points and previous years are on the Admissions tab.

Paddington Academy: key facts

What did Ofsted judge Paddington Academy's overall effectiveness to be?: Ofsted judged Paddington Academy's overall effectiveness as Outstanding at its inspection in March 2023, on Ofsted's own scale.
How many pupils attend Paddington Academy?: Paddington Academy has 1,256 pupils on roll.
What ages does Paddington Academy take?: Paddington Academy admits pupils aged 11 to 18.
Where is Paddington Academy located?: Paddington Academy is located in London, W9 2DR, Westminster.
How do I apply to Paddington Academy?: Paddington Academy is a state school. In England you apply through the council where you live, using its common application form, even if the school is in another council area. The national closing date for secondary places is 31 October.
Does Paddington Academy have a religious character?: Yes — Paddington Academy has a religious character of Christian. Faith criteria may apply to admissions; check the school's oversubscription policy for details.
How close do you need to live to get into Paddington Academy?: On offer day for 2026-27 (Year 7), the furthest place offered at Paddington Academy was 0.519 miles from the school. That is the distance the last place reached in one year, not a boundary and not a guarantee — it moves with the number of applicants.
How are Year 7 places decided at Paddington Academy?: When Paddington Academy has more applications than places for 2027-28, they are offered in a published order of priority: 1. Looked After Children / Previously Looked After Children — Looked After Children, Previously Looked After Children, including those that ceased to be so because they were adopted, or became subject to a child arrangements or special guardianship order, as well as a child (who appears to the Admission Committee) to have been in state care outside of England but ceased to be so as a result of being adopted; 2. Exceptional Needs — Children who have medical needs, social needs and special needs which are not covered by an EHCP but mean admission to Paddington Academy is necessary. In such circumstances, the application must be supported by written specific professional advice, e.g., from a doctor or specialist, not a primary school alone. The decision as to whether the academy is uniquely placed to meet the stated need of the applicant will be determined by a panel. The panel will give special consideration to children with a visual impairment; 3. Siblings — Children with an older brother or sister currently attending Paddington Academy in one of Years 7 to 12 and who will continue to do so in one of Years 8 to 13 on the point of admission into the Academy, and 3 further criteria. The school offers 180 places at this entry point.
What is the largest ethnic background at Paddington Academy?: According to the DfE School Census 2025-26, 17% of pupils at Paddington Academy are recorded as Black African. The full ethnic breakdown across all groups is available on the Pupils tab.

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Links are derived from Ofsted registration addresses and published admission arrangements. Always confirm current arrangements with the school.

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How close did you need to live?

0.519miles

Last distance offered at Paddington Academy, year by year →

How places are decided at Paddington Academy

When there are more applications than places for 2027-28 (Year 7), places are offered in this order of priority. Meeting a higher criterion beats meeting a lower one.

1Looked After Children / Previously Looked After Children — Looked After Children, Previously Looked After Children, including those that ceased to be so because they were adopted, or became subject to a child arrangements or special guardianship order, as well as a child (who appears to the Admission Committee) to have been in state care outside of England but ceased to be so as a result of being adopted.
2Exceptional Needs — Children who have medical needs, social needs and special needs which are not covered by an EHCP but mean admission to Paddington Academy is necessary. In such circumstances, the application must be supported by written specific professional advice, e.g., from a doctor or specialist, not a primary school alone. The decision as to whether the academy is uniquely placed to meet the stated need of the applicant will be determined by a panel. The panel will give special consideration to children with a visual impairment.
3Siblings — Children with an older brother or sister currently attending Paddington Academy in one of Years 7 to 12 and who will continue to do so in one of Years 8 to 13 on the point of admission into the Academy.
4Children of staff — a. where the member of staff has been continuously employed at the school for two or more years at the time at which the application for admission to the school is made; and / or b. the member of staff is recruited to fill a vacant post for which there is a demonstrable skill shortage.
5Feeder school (Wilberforce Primary School) — Children who attend Wilberforce Primary School and are in Year 6 at the time of the admission application deadline.
6Distance — Distance from home to school measured as a straight line.

Paddington Academy: key facts

What did Ofsted judge Paddington Academy's overall effectiveness to be?: Ofsted judged Paddington Academy's overall effectiveness as Outstanding at its inspection in March 2023, on Ofsted's own scale.
How many pupils attend Paddington Academy?: Paddington Academy has 1,256 pupils on roll.
What ages does Paddington Academy take?: Paddington Academy admits pupils aged 11 to 18.
Where is Paddington Academy located?: Paddington Academy is located in London, W9 2DR, Westminster.
How do I apply to Paddington Academy?: Paddington Academy is a state school. In England you apply through the council where you live, using its common application form, even if the school is in another council area. The national closing date for secondary places is 31 October.
Does Paddington Academy have a religious character?: Yes — Paddington Academy has a religious character of Christian. Faith criteria may apply to admissions; check the school's oversubscription policy for details.
How close do you need to live to get into Paddington Academy?: On offer day for 2026-27 (Year 7), the furthest place offered at Paddington Academy was 0.519 miles from the school. That is the distance the last place reached in one year, not a boundary and not a guarantee — it moves with the number of applicants.
How are Year 7 places decided at Paddington Academy?: When Paddington Academy has more applications than places for 2027-28, they are offered in a published order of priority: 1. Looked After Children / Previously Looked After Children — Looked After Children, Previously Looked After Children, including those that ceased to be so because they were adopted, or became subject to a child arrangements or special guardianship order, as well as a child (who appears to the Admission Committee) to have been in state care outside of England but ceased to be so as a result of being adopted; 2. Exceptional Needs — Children who have medical needs, social needs and special needs which are not covered by an EHCP but mean admission to Paddington Academy is necessary. In such circumstances, the application must be supported by written specific professional advice, e.g., from a doctor or specialist, not a primary school alone. The decision as to whether the academy is uniquely placed to meet the stated need of the applicant will be determined by a panel. The panel will give special consideration to children with a visual impairment; 3. Siblings — Children with an older brother or sister currently attending Paddington Academy in one of Years 7 to 12 and who will continue to do so in one of Years 8 to 13 on the point of admission into the Academy, and 3 further criteria. The school offers 180 places at this entry point.
What is the largest ethnic background at Paddington Academy?: According to the DfE School Census 2025-26, 17% of pupils at Paddington Academy are recorded as Black African. The full ethnic breakdown across all groups is available on the Pupils tab.

Same phase, ranked by distance and how closely they match.

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See every school within walking distance, ranked by distance and inspection grade.

Connected nurseries & schools

Feeder schools & nurseries

Children attending these settings are given priority in this school's admissions.

Wilberforce Primary

Primary

Good

Links are derived from Ofsted registration addresses and published admission arrangements. Always confirm current arrangements with the school.

Interested in this school?Register interest and we'll pass your details on if it joins School Atlas.Register interest

This school hasn't claimed its profile yet, so it can't receive enquiries here. Leave your details and we'll pass them on if the school joins School Atlas.

Paddington Academy

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Paddington Academy: key facts

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Paddington Academy

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How close did you need to live?

How places are decided at Paddington Academy

Paddington Academy: key facts

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