Principal’s Welcome

Welcome to The UCL Academy. I hope you find the information across the website useful; please let us know if you have any further questions.

We are a school with a vibrant community and a unique sponsorship by University College London, a world-class institution whose values and social purpose shape our own mission. Our students benefit from this relationship throughout their time with us and it becomes especially powerful as they progress into our Sixth Form and beyond.

At the heart of our work is a commitment to social justice. We know that the start you make in life has a profound impact on your future. That is why we have high aspirations for all our young people and seek to provide exceptional opportunities for them, regardless of their background or current circumstance. Education should expand horizons and empower young people to contribute positively to the society they are part of; that belief drives everything we do.

We place high value on conduct and character. Students are expected to treat others with respect, helping to build a community where everyone feels safe and able to succeed. Our approach is rooted in positive relationships and clear, consistent expectations and routines to support a purposeful learning environment.

We are proud, but not complacent, about our students’ academic achievements. They benefit from a broad and balanced curriculum and in our most recent set of GCSE results, almost a quarter of all grades awarded were at the very highest levels
of 9 to 7. At A Level, half of all grades were A* – B and our students regularly secure places at our sponsor, UCL and other
leading Russell Group universities. These outcomes reflect our students’ determination and the dedication of our staff.

We are equally proud of our students’ personal development. Our distinctive Self-Directed Learning programme allows all students to select from a wide range of enrichment opportunities – from STEM clubs, creative arts, languages and sports to leadership roles, community projects and academic extension. These experiences play a key role in shaping well-rounded young people.

As we move into the next phase of the Academy’s development, my commitment is to build on our many strengths. Whether
in the classroom or in the wider life of the school, we want our young people to leave us confident and ambitious, ready to make a significant positive contribution to society.

Dr Anton McLean
Principal