Croydon’s state schools get better results than 70% of towns in England

The primary figure lifts Croydon; the secondary figure holds it back.

The primary figure: 79 primaries in the town, 13,316 pupils in results over three years. The secondary figure: 22 secondaries in the town, 3,419 pupils in results. Mainstream state schools only (grammar schools included); special schools, alternative provision, nurseries and 16–19 colleges are listed below but not graded. Each school’s results are compared with every school in England, then weighted by its pupils.

Most schools give places by distance once siblings are in, so the schools nearest a home matter more than any league table.

The share of pupils on free school meals runs from 3% at Gresham Primary School to 67% at Castle Hill Academy. Against schools with the same intake, Winterbourne Junior Girls' School does best: 88% with 46% on free school meals, where a typical school would reach 56%. 55 of 78 primaries and 16 of 22 secondaries are above the line.

Free school meals: pupils eligible now, DfE January 2026 census. The typical-school line is a straight-line fit across every graded school in England. It describes; it doesn’t grade: the School Grade uses results alone.

Key result: Attainment 8 and grade 5+ English and maths (GCSEs, 2025/26 provisional) for secondaries; the share meeting the expected standard in reading, writing and maths (KS2, DfE’s three-year average) for primaries. Pupils: the January 2026 school census. No letter: an infant or first school (no KS2 tests), a new school, a small cohort DfE suppresses, or a special school, nursery or college. Independent schools aren’t included.

Ofsted stopped giving one-word judgements in 2024. Until a school is re-inspected, its last overall judgement is its most recent single grade; a school judged years ago may have changed a lot since.

Since November 2025 Ofsted gives each area of a school one of five grades (exceptional, strong standard, expected standard, needs attention, urgent improvement) and says whether safeguarding is met, instead of one overall word. 11 of Croydon’s 126 state schools have a report card so far; the others show their last inspection under the old framework. Ofsted is never part of the School Grade.

17 of Croydon’s 22 state secondaries have sixth forms: Archbishop Tenison's, Coloma Convent Girls', Coombe Wood, Harris Academy Beulah Hill, Harris Academy Purley, Harris Academy South Norwood, Harris City Academy Crystal Palace, Harris Invictus Academy Croydon, Meridian High, Norbury High School for Girls, Oasis Academy Shirley Park, Shirley High School Performing Arts College, St Joseph's College, St Mary's, The Quest, Thomas More and Woodcote High. Harris Professional Skills Sixth Form is a state 16–19 school in the London borough. Croydon College, a further-education college, is in the London borough.

Croydon has 9 special schools (Addington Valley, Beckmead College, Beckmead Park, Bensham Manor, Chaffinch Brook, Priory, Red Gates, St Giles and St Nicholas: 1,372 pupils) and 2 alternative provision schools, for pupils who can’t attend mainstream school for a time. A special-school place isn’t applied for like a mainstream one: for a child with an education, health and care plan (EHCP), Croydon Council names the school in the plan, after asking the family’s preference. These schools have no letter, because their results don’t compare with mainstream schools’. Their cards ↑

Croydon Council’s SEND Local Offer lists support beyond these schools.

Sutton has the best-graded schools nearby (A+). Small places often use the schools within 3 km, so neighbours can share schools.