Applegarth Academy
About Applegarth Academy
Applegarth Academy is a mixed state primary in Croydon that currently educates 422 pupils against a capacity of 481, leaving a small amount of headroom but not much. The school serves a community with a notably high proportion of disadvantaged pupils: 47.9% of children are eligible for free school meals, well above the national average for primary schools, which typically sits around 23-24%. Demand for places is strong. For the 2025/26 intake, the school received 99 applications for just 40 places, with exactly 40 first-preference offers made, giving an oversubscription ratio of 2.48. That means nearly two and a half families applied for every available spot, a clear signal that local parents see real value here. The school is led by headteacher Cherene Joseph and has no religious character. It also offers nursery provision, making it a natural choice for families looking for continuity from early years right through to Year 6.
Key Details
The full report on this school
The inspection in plain English, admissions context, and how this school compares to nearby alternatives — all in one full school report.
- Ofsted inspection in plain EnglishStrengths, concerns and what inspectors flagged
- Parent View survey resultsWhat parents told Ofsted — when the school has 10+ responses
- Where Ofsted and parents disagreeGaps to probe + questions to ask at the open day
- Admissions & catchmentAdmission criteria, distance cutoffs (where the LA publishes them)
- Nearby schools comparedBackup options with Ofsted, demand and distance
- Attendance & behaviour dataPersistent absentees, suspensions and exclusions vs national
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
15 Sept 2021Source: Ofsted, 6 Jan 2022. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
Facilities
6Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
7Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
School day
Teaching hours
08:45 – 15:15
Source: applegarthacademy.org. Extracted automatically — confirm with the school before relying on these times.
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