Forestdale Primary School

About Forestdale Primary School

Forestdale Primary School in Croydon is a state primary for mixed-gender pupils aged 4 to 11, and it is running very close to full capacity with 418 pupils against a school capacity of 420. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals stands at 19.6%, which is above the national average for primary schools and suggests a catchment with above-average levels of economic disadvantage. Demand for places is strong: for the 2025/26 intake, the school received 148 applications for 60 places, an oversubscription ratio of 2.47. Of those, 63 families put Forestdale as their first preference, and 54 first-preference offers were made, meaning roughly 86% of first-preference applicants secured a place. The school is non-religious and has no nursery or sixth-form provision, so it focuses entirely on the primary years. Headteacher Sarah Aburrow leads a school that clearly commands local confidence, given the level of oversubscription.

Academically, Forestdale performs solidly within Croydon. In the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 assessments, 71% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, which is above the Croydon local authority average of 66%. The school ranks 36th out of 77 primary schools in the borough, placing it in the top half of local schools. In reading, 84% met the expected standard and 29% achieved a higher standard; in maths, 83% met the expected standard and 28% reached the higher threshold. Average scaled scores were 106 in reading and 105 in maths, both above the national benchmark of 100. Writing was the weakest area, with 76% at expected and only 7% at the higher standard. Progress scores are not available in the data, so it is not possible to say how much value the school adds relative to pupils' starting points, but the attainment figures are respectable.

The school offers a broad range of facilities, including a sensory room, forest school, sports hall, playing fields, art studios and an ICT suite. Sports provision covers football, rounders, tennis, cricket and athletics, while clubs include coding, eco club, choir, book club, film club and science club. SEND support is extensive, covering specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia, moderate learning difficulty, social, emotional and mental health needs, speech and language communication needs, hearing and visual impairments, physical disability and autistic spectrum disorder. This makes Forestdale a strong option for families whose children have identified additional needs. The school is oversubscribed, so families applying from outside the immediate catchment should be realistic about their chances, though first-preference applicants fared well in the most recent round. It suits families who want a primary with good academic outcomes and a wide range of enrichment activities.

Key Details

Frequently Asked Questions About Forestdale Primary School

Helpful Guides for Parents