Lambeth Academy

The Elms Academy is a mixed secondary academy in the London borough of Lambeth. Its sponsor is United Learning. Admissions The Elms Academy is owned and run by United Learning, a subsidiary of the United Church Schools Trust. In Summer 2011 the first group of students who had arrived in 2004 completed their A-levels and achieved excellent results. They have established an alumni society called Lambeth Academicals, to maintain contact through sporting social and other activities. 2011 saw results rising to 58% of GCSE students obtaining 5A*-C grades, including English and Maths. This represented a 22% increase, making the Academy one of the most improved schools in London and placing it above the national average in this respect. Lambeth Academy specialises in English with Business & Enterprise. There are around 180 in sixth form. It is situated on Elms Road just east of Clapham Common, off the A24, north of the junction with the South Circular Road (A205). Next door is the sixth-form centre of Lambeth College. It lies in the parish of Holy Spirit, Clapham. History Lambeth Academy was founded after a four-year campaign by local parents, including the author John O'Farrell, who became the school's first Chair of Governors, a post he held for eight years. He recalls the campaign and his involvement in the school in his memoir 'Things Can Only Get Worse'. The academy was formally opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 2004. The first principal was Ms Pat Millichamp, who retired after two years.