St John's CofE Primary School

About St John's CofE Primary School

St John’s CofE Primary School in Croydon is a Church of England state primary for boys and girls aged 4 to 11, and it is operating at near-full capacity with 419 pupils against a school capacity of 420. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals stands at 7.9%, which is notably lower than the national average for primary schools, suggesting a relatively affluent local intake. Demand for places is exceptionally high: for the 2025/26 admissions round, the school received 184 applications for just 58 total places, with 88 of those as first preferences. This gives an oversubscription ratio of 3.17, meaning more than three families applied for every available spot. Only 57 first-preference offers were made, so competition is fierce. The school is led by headteacher Martina Martin and sits within the Croydon local authority, where it is one of 17 primary schools rated Outstanding by Ofsted.

Academically, St John’s performs very strongly, ranking 2nd out of 77 primary schools in Croydon based on the proportion of pupils reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined. That figure is 87%, well above the local authority average of 66%. In reading, 94% of pupils met the expected standard and 58% reached the higher standard, with an average scaled score of 110. In maths, 89% met the expected standard and 26% reached the higher standard, with an average score of 107. Writing saw 94% at the expected level and 10% at the higher level. Nationally, the school sits in the top 5% of all primary schools for this combined measure. In its most recent graded Ofsted inspection in 2016, the school was rated Outstanding overall, with Outstanding ratings for leadership and management, early years provision, and behaviour and attitudes. A subsequent ungraded inspection in 2021 confirmed the school remains Outstanding.

The school offers a broad range of facilities including a library, art studios, a sensory room, a gymnasium, playing fields, a sports hall, and a chapel. Sports on offer include cricket, rounders, dance, athletics and football, while clubs include chess, science club and choir. For children with additional needs, the school provides support for a wide range of SEND categories, including autistic spectrum disorder, speech, language and communication needs, and specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia. With its Outstanding rating, high academic outcomes and strong local reputation, St John’s is a highly sought-after choice for families who prioritise academic rigour within a Church of England ethos. However, the extreme oversubscription means that securing a place is far from guaranteed, and families should consider nearby alternatives such as Harris Primary Academy Benson, the nearest other Outstanding-rated school, located just 0.6 km away.

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