Academy converter · Islington

Lift Beacon High

11–16Ages
414Pupils
SecondaryPhase
152337URN

Hilldrop Road, Islington, London, N7 0JG · School website

Applications per placeCircle size: applicationsThis school

Latest Ofsted

Graded inspection · Nov 2022 Previous framework

Good

Quality of education
Behaviour and attitudes
Personal development
Leadership and management

What Ofsted found

Applications per place · Sept 2026

1.9per place

1.0 below Islington median (2.8)

Fewer applicationsMore

This schoolOther secondary schools in Islington

157 applications for 85 places · 10th of 10 in Islington

Every year since 2014

What did Ofsted find?

Ofsted data to 30 September 2026

Overall effectiveness: Good · 16 November 2022Ofsted's previous 4-point scale (to August 2024)
Area	Outstanding	Good	Requires improvement	Inadequate
Quality of education		Good
Behaviour and attitudes		Good
Personal development		Good
Leadership and management		Good

Full reports on the Ofsted website · How to read Ofsted grades

About these grades

Ofsted's report cards (from November 2025) grade each area on five steps and give no overall grade. Earlier grades come from a different framework; Ofsted says the two cannot be compared, so they are never converted here. Ofsted: "We normally inspect schools every 4 years or at any time if we have concerns." Methodology.

How hard is it to get a place?

DfE · Sept 2026 entry

1.9applications per place, Year 7

1.0 below Islington median (2.8) 0.4 below England median (2.2)

157 applications · 85 places offered · 39 named it first

2026 1.9; Islington median median 2.8
2025 1.6; Islington median median 2.8; as the previous school
2024 2.2; Islington median median 3.0; as the previous school
2023 1.4; Islington median median 2.9; as the previous school
2022 1.4; Islington median median 3.0; as the previous school
2021 1.4; Islington median median 3.0; as the previous school
2020 1.4; Islington median median 3.2; as the previous school
2019 2.5; Islington median median 3.0; as the previous school
2018 3.1; Islington median median 3.2; as the previous school
2017 2.5; Islington median median 3.1; as the previous school
2016 2.7; Islington median median 3.0; as the previous school
2015 2.8; Islington median median 2.8; as the previous school
2014 2.6; Islington median median 3.2; as the previous school

This school
Islington median

Dashed bars: as Beacon High (URN 100453), the previous school.

Year 7 applications for September 2027 close 31 October 2026, through your council

How this is measured

Applications per place: every application naming the school at any preference, divided by places offered on National Offer Day. It is not your chance of a place. Methodology.

Entry	Places	Applications	Per place	First preferences	First-pref. ratio
Sep 2026	85	157	1.9	39	0.46
Sep 2025 *	118	185	1.6	56	0.47
Sep 2024 *	108	233	2.2	61	0.56
Sep 2023 *	112	157	1.4	41	0.37
Sep 2022 *	111	160	1.4	42	0.38
Sep 2021 *	112	156	1.4	32	0.29
Sep 2020 *	118	165	1.4	30	0.25
Sep 2019 *	87	213	2.5	33	0.38
Sep 2018 *	84	262	3.1	65	0.77
Sep 2017 *	165	417	2.5	107	0.65
Sep 2016 *	152	404	2.7	119	0.78
Sep 2015 *	145	400	2.8	115	0.79
Sep 2014 *	179	471	2.6	141	0.79

Schools nearby

The 8 nearest secondary schools in a straight line, in any local authority

Lift Beacon HighThis school
This school

Good2022

1.9applications per place
Acland Burghley School
0.9 km · Camden

Remains Good2023

3.8applications per place 55.2Attainment 8
The Camden School for Girls
0.9 km · Camden

Good2022

5.2applications per place 65.1Attainment 8
Parliament Hill School
1.5 km · Camden

Outstanding2024

3.6applications per place 58.6Attainment 8
La Sainte Union Catholic Secondary School
1.5 km · Camden

Graded · no overall grade2024

2.4applications per place 54.4Attainment 8
St Mary Magdalene Academy
1.6 km · Islington

Outstanding2023

6.4applications per place 58.4Attainment 8
William Ellis School
1.6 km · Camden

Graded · no overall grade2024

3.2applications per place 43.8Attainment 8
City of London Academy, Highgate Hill
1.6 km · Islington

Good2024

2.2applications per place 45.5Attainment 8
Arts and Media School Islington
1.8 km · Islington

Good2023

2.1applications per place 40.2Attainment 8

School details

Type: Academy converter
Phase: Secondary
URN · DfE number: 152337 · 206/4112
Trust: Lift Schools
Admissions policy: Non-selective
Capacity: 600 pupils · 414 on roll
Free school meals: 73.5% of pupils (England median 23%)
Opened: 1 January 2026
Replaced: Beacon High (URN 100453)
Address: Hilldrop Road, Islington, London, N7 0JG
Local authority: Islington

Data last changed 19 October 2026 · Report an error · Corrections · Sources