Fancy a school that’s not just about books but also award-winning architecture? That’s Burntwood School. Opened in September 1986, Burntwood School replaced Garratt Green Comprehensive Girls’ School. It also replaced nearby Mayfield School for Girls. Brigid Beattie-Moriarty was the first headmistress.
Burntwood School is now a girls’ secondary school with a mixed sixth form. It gained academy status in 2013. Located in Wandsworth, London, it stands as one of the largest state schools for girls at the secondary level.
For the school year beginning September 2012, students moved into new buildings. The project cost £40.9 million. The project was fully completed in 2014. It added six new buildings including four teaching pavilions. There is also a new sports hall. A new performing arts building was added too.
Burntwood School won the RIBA Stirling Prize in October 2015. This is the UK’s leading architecture award.
Originally constructed in the 1950s, Burntwood School needed improvement. It housed just under 1,800 students. The redevelopment needed to be efficient. It also needed to provide an inspirational space for learning. Buro Happold worked with the design team. They created new buildings that would offer sustainable facilities.
Delivering the new school required careful planning. Construction was planned block by block. Pupils moved into finished buildings before work started on the next. The distinctive cladding panels arrived precast. They were craned into position. The civil engineering team designed the drainage. They also designed the utilities. This ensured occupied buildings had functioning services.
Burntwood School demonstrates the value of collaborative design. The school has won several awards. It fully realizes its low energy ambition. It offers future-ready spaces for learning.
Burntwood School has received the “Sportsmark” and “Artsmark Gold” awards. It also received the Rights Respecting UNICEF Gold Award.
In 2008–09, the school had 1,733 pupils. In September 2009, 283 new students were admitted. 71 places were offered to girls scoring highest in the Wandsworth Year 6 Test. The remaining places were offered to siblings. Then places went to girls living closest to the school.
While mainly for girls, Burntwood has a few male students in the sixth form. For example, in 2002, two percent of pupils were male.
Burntwood School’s motto is “The Best Education Today for the Women of Tomorrow”. Notable former pupils include Clara Amfo, a BBC Radio 1 presenter. Amplify Dot, a rapper and radio DJ also attended Burntwood School. Pearl Mackie, an actress and Doctor Who companion, is also an alumna. Jessica Plummer, a singer and EastEnders actress, attended too.
Today, Burntwood School continues to inspire. It provides a nurturing and innovative environment. It is located at Burntwood Lane, London. The postcode is SW17 0AQ. The headteacher is Mrs. Helen Shorrock. The school’s capacity is 1,965 pupils. As of January 2025, the school had 1,539 pupils. Approximately 22.7% of children are eligible for free school meals.