The short version
Average GCSE results. 87% capacity. Rated Good by Ofsted (2018).
- GCSE results are broadly in line with the national average (Attainment 8: 43.2 vs national 43.8)
- Rated Good by Ofsted in 2018
- 46% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, above the national average
Performance
DfE published dataOfficial DfE Results
Attainment 8
Average points across 8 GCSE subjects
43.2
0.6 vs nationalEnglish & maths (grade 5+)
Strong pass in both core subjects
33%
8.6pp vs nationalEBacc entry
Academic subjects including a language
38%
A-Level Average
Mean grade across subjects
B
A-Level Value Added
Progress vs expected
+0.54
Band 1Source: Department for Education Performance Tables 2024-25
Post-GCSE Destinations
These figures track pupils 6 months after leaving. Source: DfE destination measures.
Sustained destination
In education, employment or training
96%
Continuing education
Sixth form, FE college, or school
95%
Not sustained
Not in education, employment or training
3%
Based on 223 leavers
Source: DfE Destination Measures 2024/25
Attendance
In practice: Pupils miss about 13 days per year on average — nearly a month of school.
19% of pupils miss 10% or more of school
2% of pupils miss half or more of school sessions
Source: DfE School Census
Staffing
On average, 14 pupils share each qualified teacher, but with teaching assistants there's 1 adult for every 9 pupils.
Staff breakdown
Plus 130 other support staff
Source: DfE School Workforce Census
School details
Published dataProfile
- Type
- Community school
- Phase
- Secondary
- Ages
- 11–18
- Intake
- Mixed
Numbers
- Pupils
- 1,173
- Capacity
- 87%
- FSM
- 46%
- Admissions
- Non-selective
Governance
- Local authority
- Tower Hamlets
- Head
- Mr Danny Lye (Executive Headteacher)
Provisions
- Sixth form
- Yes
Inspection record
Official linksSchool inspection
9 official reports linked on this page, including 8 earlier reports.
Previous reports
Full inspection: Good
March 2018 | Full Inspection
Monitoring visit
November 2016 | Monitoring Visit
Full inspection: Good
March 2013 | Full Inspection
Curriculum and development visit
May 2012 | Curriculum and development visit Curriculum and development visit
Full inspection: Satisfactory
May 2011 | Full Inspection
Curriculum and development visit
March 2009 | Curriculum and development visit Curriculum and development visit
Full inspection: Satisfactory
October 2007 | Full Inspection
Full inspection
November 2003 | Full Inspection
Location
44 Twelvetrees Crescent, Bow, London, E3 3QW
Town setting
Schools nearby
Within 2.5 kmBromley Hall School
Special school · 684m away
Langdon Park Community School
Secondary · 923m away
St Saviour's Church of England Primary School
Primary · 951m away
Culloden Primary School
Primary · 1.1km away
Culloden Primary - A Paradigm Academy
Primary · 1.1km away
Lansbury Lawrence Primary School
Primary · 1.2km away
Stebon Primary School
Primary · 1.3km away
Bygrove Primary School
Primary · 1.4km away
Questions parents ask
Is Bow School a selective school?
No. Bow School is non-selective, so admission does not depend on an entrance exam.
What is Bow School's Ofsted rating?
Bow School was rated Good at its most recent inspection in September 2023. Full reports are linked on this page.
How many pupils attend Bow School?
Bow School currently has 1,173 pupils on roll, according to the latest Department for Education data.
What ages does Bow School take?
Bow School caters for pupils aged 11 to 18. It is classified as a secondary school.
Where is Bow School?
Bow School is in London, E3 3QW, in the Tower Hamlets local authority area. The map on this page shows the exact location and nearby schools.
Does Bow School have a sixth form?
Yes, Bow School has a sixth form, so pupils can continue to A-levels or equivalent qualifications without changing school.
Premium school profiles
Researching a selective school?
We hold deep admissions intelligence on the UK's top selective schools — exam breakdowns, interview formats, and parent strategy briefs.