West London Free School

Partially Selective

National rank

75

116

Rank last year

83%

A-level

A-level

A*-B

51%

GCSE

GCSE

A*/A/9/8/7

Comprehensive School of the Year in London 2025

Need to know

Head teacher

Ben McLaughlin and Robert Peal

Gender of entry

Mixed

Total pupils

915

Head teacher

Ben McLaughlin and Robert Peal

Gender of entry

Mixed

Total pupils

915

Head teacher

Ben McLaughlin and Robert Peal

Gender of entry

Mixed

Total pupils

915

Progress 8

WELL ABOVE AVERAGE

Pupils on free school meals

22.2%

Progress 8

WELL ABOVE AVERAGE

Pupils on free school meals

22.2%

Our methodology
Results

A-level 2024 rank: 41=

Grade

%

B

31

A*/A

52

A*-B

83

GCSE 2024 rank: 147=

Grade

%

A*/A/9/8/7

51

What the school inspection says

Date of report
2022
Verdict *
Good
“Pupils flourish here. Leaders have high academic expectations for them; the curriculum is broad and ambitious. Teachers are skilled, and pupils behave well and work hard in lessons. Pupils are confident and articulate. They engage in debate around current affairs and are considerate of the views of others. Pupils report that bullying is rare. When it does happen, staff are quick to deal with it. Leaders make sure that all pupils develop their talents and interests. Pupils who attend a range of physical, academic and creative clubs receive a special diploma from the school. Leaders have built valuable links with the local community, including a range of local sports facilities. Sixth-form students are role models to younger pupils.”
Read the full report
Read report
*From September 2024, Ofsted no longer makes an overall effectiveness judgment in inspections of state-funded schools. A consultation on the new report cards will take place in 2025.

About the school

  • The school motto, Sapere aude (“Dare to know”), sums up the school’s encouragement to pupils to take an ambitious and curious approach to learning.
  • A range of 10-week clubs are available covering a wide range of subjects, interests and disciplines. These include Mandarin, fencing, creative writing, debating, water polo and music clubs such as choir and orchestra. The WLFS Diploma is awarded to pupils who attend three clubs from different categories in a year.
  • As a music specialist school WLFS reserves 12 places each year for pupils with an aptitude for music; all pupils are strongly encouraged to learn at least one musical instrument
  • The joint head teacher Robert Peal has contributed to several Department of Education panels and was awarded an MBE in 2024 for services to education.
  • The majority of pupils remain with WLFS after the age of 16, moving on to the high-performing sixth form on a separate site in Hammersmith.
Website
wlfs.org
Address