Best Schools in Croydon 2026 — Rankings, Ofsted Ratings & Reviews
Compare 119 schools and nurseries in Croydon — Ofsted ratings, exam results & admissions data.
Croydon is South London's largest borough by population with 119 schools educating over 56,000 pupils. The borough stretches from urban South Norwood and Thornton Heath in the north to leafy Purley and Kenley in the south, offering diverse school choices across a wide area.
Croydon has a broad mix of school types including academies, faith schools and a strong primary sector. Harris Academy South Norwood, Oasis Academy Shirley Park and Coloma Convent Girls' School are among the best-known secondary schools.
Croydon at a Glance
Top Primary Schools in Croydon
| School | Area | Ofsted | KS2 RWM % | Reading | Maths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heathfield Academy | Croydon | Outstanding | 90% | — | — |
| St John's CofE Primary School | Croydon | Outstanding | 87% | — | — |
| Applegarth Academy | Croydon | Good | 85% | — | — |
| St Aidan's Catholic Primary School | Croydon | Good | 84% | — | — |
| Winterbourne Junior Girls' School | Croydon | Good | 84% | — | — |
Top Secondary Schools in Croydon
| School | Area | Ofsted | Progress 8 | 5+ GCSE % | EBacc % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coloma Convent Girls' School | Croydon | Requires Improvement | +0.52 | 84% | 65% |
| Harris Academy South Norwood | Croydon | Good | +0.45 | 62% | 56% |
| St Mary's Catholic High School | Croydon | Outstanding | +0.43 | 81% | 67% |
| Coombe Wood School | Croydon | Good | +0.38 | 75% | 33% |
| Orchard Park High School | Croydon | Good | +0.37 | 74% | 24% |
Admissions in Croydon — Key Dates
Croydon Council coordinates admissions for state schools. Secondary applications closed on 31 October 2025 with offers on 1 March 2026. Primary applications close on 15 January 2026 with offers on 16 April 2026. Croydon has no grammar schools but borders Sutton which has several selective schools. Apply through croydon.gov.uk.
Tip: Classpot shows the applications-to-places ratio for every school so you can gauge how competitive admissions are before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best schools in Croydon?
Harris Academy South Norwood, Shirley High School and Coloma Convent Girls' School are highly rated secondaries. At primary level, many schools in Purley and Sanderstead achieve excellent KS2 results.
Are there grammar schools in Croydon?
No. Croydon has no state grammar schools. However, Croydon borders Sutton which has selective schools including Wilson's School and Nonsuch High School. Many Croydon families apply to Sutton grammar schools.
How are Croydon schools performing?
Croydon schools have improved significantly in recent years. The majority are now rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted. Primary school KS2 results are broadly in line with the London average.
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