Croydon’s best secondary schools 2025
Trying to find the right school for your child in Croydon? You’re in the right place.
With so many options, many parents find themselves drowning in league tables and Ofsted reports. That’s exactly why we’ve done the heavy lifting for you. Our expert team has analysed the latest 2023/2024 Department for Education data to bring you a list of the top-performing state secondary schools in Croydon.
We show two ranking tables, one for Progress 8 and one for GCSE 9–7 results, and also provide a complete list of all secondary schools in Croydon. This full list includes Progress 8 scores, GCSE 9–7 percentages, and Ofsted ratings where available. The schools in this table are ordered alphabetically rather than ranked, so you can easily see every school in one place, even if some data points are missing.
Top secondary schools in Croydon by Progress 8
Coloma Convent Girls' School in Croydon is currently ranked #1 in Croydon based on its published Progress 8 score of +0.52. Progress 8 is a headline accountability measure used by the Department for Education to show how much progress pupils make between the end of primary school and their GCSEs, compared to students with similar prior attainment nationally.
| Rank | School name | Type | Gender | Progress 8 | Ofsted rating | GCSE 9-7% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coloma Convent Girls' School | Academy converter | Girls | +0.52 | Requires improvement | 33.53% |
| 2 | Harris Academy South Norwood | Academy sponsor led | Mixed | +0.45 | Good | 21.38% |
| 3 | Coombe Wood School | Free schools | Mixed | +0.38 | Good | 21.47% |
| 4 | St Mary's Catholic High School | Voluntary aided school | Mixed | +0.29 | Good | 11.21% |
| 5 | Norbury High School for Girls | Academy converter | Girls | +0.27 | Good | 19.52% |
| 6 | Harris City Academy Crystal Palace | Academy sponsor led | Mixed | +0.24 | - | 26.5% |
| 7 | Harris Academy Purley | Academy sponsor led | Mixed | +0.23 | Good | 15.64% |
| 8 | Riddlesdown Collegiate | Academy converter | Mixed | +0.14 | Outstanding | 23.02% |
| 9 | The Archbishop Lanfranc Academy | Academy sponsor led | Mixed | +0.1 | - | 13.15% |
| 10 | St Joseph's College | Academy converter | Boys | +0.04 | Good | 11.14% |
| 11 | Harris Academy Beulah Hill | Academy converter | Mixed | 0 | - | 17.58% |
| 12 | Woodcote High School | Academy converter | Mixed | -0.07 | Good | 20.38% |
| 13 | Oasis Academy Shirley Park | Academy sponsor led | Mixed | -0.07 | - | 11.46% |
| 14 | Harris Invictus Academy Croydon | Free schools | Mixed | -0.1 | Outstanding | 13.55% |
| 15 | Thomas More Catholic School | Voluntary aided school | Mixed | -0.13 | Good | 12.12% |
| 16 | Oasis Academy Coulsdon | Academy sponsor led | Mixed | -0.15 | Good | 17.34% |
| 17 | Archbishop Tenison's CofE High School | Voluntary aided school | Mixed | -0.18 | Good | 17.82% |
| 18 | The Quest Academy | Academy sponsor led | Mixed | -0.35 | Requires improvement | 12.36% |
| 19 | BRIT School for Performing Arts and Technology | City technology college | Mixed | -0.36 | - | 19.47% |
| 20 | Oasis Academy Arena | Academy sponsor led | Mixed | -0.5 | Requires improvement | 9.55% |
| 21 | Shirley High School Performing Arts College | Academy converter | Mixed | -0.51 | Good | 9.6% |
| 22 | Meridian High School | Academy sponsor led | Mixed | -0.7 | Good | 7.64% |
| 23 | Chaffinch Brook School | Academy special converter | Mixed | -1.4 | Good | 0% |
| 24 | Bensham Manor School | Community special school | Mixed | -1.54 | Outstanding | 0% |
| 25 | Beckmead College | Academy special converter | Mixed | -2.75 | Good | 0% |
Note: Rankings use 2023/2024 CSP data for state-funded schools and may not reflect recent changes, check school websites for the latest information.
Examiner-written GCSE revision resources that improve your grades 2x
- Written by expert teachers and examiners
- Aligned to exam specifications
- Everything you need to know, and nothing you don’t

Top secondary schools in Croydon by GCSE % 9–7
Trinity School in Croydon is currently ranked #1 in Croydon based on the percentage of GCSE grades awarded at 9–7. This measure highlights how many pupils achieve the very top exam results, giving a clear picture of each school’s academic excellence.
| Rank | School name | Type | Gender | Progress 8 | Ofsted rating | GCSE 9-7% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Trinity School | Other independent school | Mixed | - | - | 82.19% |
| 2 | Whitgift School | Other independent school | Boys | - | - | 77.68% |
| 3 | Croydon High School | Other independent school | Girls | - | - | 73.31% |
| 4 | Old Palace of John Whitgift School | Other independent school | Girls | - | - | 61.45% |
| 5 | Royal Russell School | Other independent school | Mixed | - | - | 58.47% |
| 6 | The Laurels School | Other independent school | Mixed | - | - | 53.16% |
| 7 | Al-Khair School | Other independent school | Boys | - | - | 46.58% |
| 8 | The Cedars School | Other independent school | Boys | - | - | 45% |
| 9 | Al-Khair Secondary Girls | Other independent school | Girls | - | - | 40.84% |
| 10 | Coloma Convent Girls' School | Academy converter | Girls | +0.52 | Requires improvement | 33.53% |
| 11 | Harris City Academy Crystal Palace | Academy sponsor led | Mixed | +0.24 | - | 26.5% |
| 12 | Riddlesdown Collegiate | Academy converter | Mixed | +0.14 | Outstanding | 23.02% |
| 13 | Coombe Wood School | Free schools | Mixed | +0.38 | Good | 21.47% |
| 14 | Harris Academy South Norwood | Academy sponsor led | Mixed | +0.45 | Good | 21.38% |
| 15 | Woodcote High School | Academy converter | Mixed | -0.07 | Good | 20.38% |
| 16 | Norbury High School for Girls | Academy converter | Girls | +0.27 | Good | 19.52% |
| 17 | BRIT School for Performing Arts and Technology | City technology college | Mixed | -0.36 | - | 19.47% |
| 18 | Archbishop Tenison's CofE High School | Voluntary aided school | Mixed | -0.18 | Good | 17.82% |
| 19 | Harris Academy Beulah Hill | Academy converter | Mixed | 0 | - | 17.58% |
| 20 | Oasis Academy Coulsdon | Academy sponsor led | Mixed | -0.15 | Good | 17.34% |
| 21 | Harris Academy Purley | Academy sponsor led | Mixed | +0.23 | Good | 15.64% |
| 22 | Harris Invictus Academy Croydon | Free schools | Mixed | -0.1 | Outstanding | 13.55% |
| 23 | The Archbishop Lanfranc Academy | Academy sponsor led | Mixed | +0.1 | - | 13.15% |
| 24 | The Quest Academy | Academy sponsor led | Mixed | -0.35 | Requires improvement | 12.36% |
| 25 | Thomas More Catholic School | Voluntary aided school | Mixed | -0.13 | Good | 12.12% |
| 26 | Oasis Academy Shirley Park | Academy sponsor led | Mixed | -0.07 | - | 11.46% |
| 27 | St Mary's Catholic High School | Voluntary aided school | Mixed | +0.29 | Good | 11.21% |
| 28 | St Joseph's College | Academy converter | Boys | +0.04 | Good | 11.14% |
| 29 | Shirley High School Performing Arts College | Academy converter | Mixed | -0.51 | Good | 9.6% |
| 30 | Oasis Academy Arena | Academy sponsor led | Mixed | -0.5 | Requires improvement | 9.55% |
| 31 | Cambridge Tutors College | Other independent school | Mixed | - | - | 9.09% |
| 32 | Meridian High School | Academy sponsor led | Mixed | -0.7 | Good | 7.64% |
| 33 | Croydon Metropolitan College | Other independent school | Mixed | - | - | 5.26% |
| 34 | Bensham Manor School | Community special school | Mixed | -1.54 | Outstanding | 0% |
| 35 | Beckmead College | Academy special converter | Mixed | -2.75 | Good | 0% |
| 36 | Chaffinch Brook School | Academy special converter | Mixed | -1.4 | Good | 0% |
| 37 | Bright Minds Creative Academy | Other independent special school | Mixed | - | - | 0% |
| 38 | Olympus | Other independent special school | Mixed | - | - | 0% |
Note: Rankings use 2023/2024 CSP data for state-funded schools and may not reflect recent changes, check school websites for the latest information.
All secondary schools in Croydon
Below is the complete list of secondary schools in Croydon, including both state-funded and independent schools where data is available. This table provides an at-a-glance view of each school’s key performance metrics, including Progress 8 scores, the percentage of GCSE grades awarded at 9–7, and Ofsted ratings, where published.
| School name | Type | Gender | Progress 8 | Ofsted rating | GCSE 9-7% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abingdon House School Purley | Other independent special school | Mixed | - | - | - |
| Addington Valley Academy | Free schools special | Mixed | - | Good | - |
| Al-Khair School | Other independent school | Boys | - | - | 46.58% |
| Al-Khair Secondary Girls | Other independent school | Girls | - | - | 40.84% |
| Archbishop Tenison's CofE High School | Voluntary aided school | Mixed | -0.18 | Good | 17.82% |
| Arise Academy | Other independent special school | Mixed | - | - | - |
| Ark Blake Academy | Free schools | Mixed | - | Good | - |
| Aspire Learning | Other independent special school | Mixed | - | - | - |
| Aya College (Educational Provision) | Other independent school | Mixed | - | - | - |
| BRIT School for Performing Arts and Technology | City technology college | Mixed | -0.36 | - | 19.47% |
| Beckmead College | Academy special converter | Mixed | -2.75 | Good | 0% |
| Bensham Manor School | Community special school | Mixed | -1.54 | Outstanding | 0% |
| Bright Minds Creative Academy | Other independent special school | Mixed | - | - | 0% |
| Cambridge Tutors College | Other independent school | Mixed | - | - | 9.09% |
| Chaffinch Brook School | Academy special converter | Mixed | -1.4 | Good | 0% |
| Coloma Convent Girls' School | Academy converter | Girls | +0.52 | Requires improvement | 33.53% |
| Coombe Wood School | Free schools | Mixed | +0.38 | Good | 21.47% |
| Croydon High School | Other independent school | Girls | - | - | 73.31% |
| Croydon Metropolitan College | Other independent school | Mixed | - | - | 5.26% |
| Cumnor House School | Other independent school | Boys | - | - | - |
| Harris Academy Beulah Hill | Academy converter | Mixed | 0 | - | 17.58% |
| Harris Academy Purley | Academy sponsor led | Mixed | +0.23 | Good | 15.64% |
| Harris Academy South Norwood | Academy sponsor led | Mixed | +0.45 | Good | 21.38% |
| Harris City Academy Crystal Palace | Academy sponsor led | Mixed | +0.24 | - | 26.5% |
| Harris Invictus Academy Croydon | Free schools | Mixed | -0.1 | Outstanding | 13.55% |
| Meridian High School | Academy sponsor led | Mixed | -0.7 | Good | 7.64% |
| Norbury High School for Girls | Academy converter | Girls | +0.27 | Good | 19.52% |
| Oasis Academy Arena | Academy sponsor led | Mixed | -0.5 | Requires improvement | 9.55% |
| Oasis Academy Coulsdon | Academy sponsor led | Mixed | -0.15 | Good | 17.34% |
| Oasis Academy Shirley Park | Academy sponsor led | Mixed | -0.07 | - | 11.46% |
| Old Palace of John Whitgift School | Other independent school | Girls | - | - | 61.45% |
| Olympus | Other independent special school | Mixed | - | - | 0% |
| Priory School | Community special school | Mixed | - | Good | - |
| Riddlesdown Collegiate | Academy converter | Mixed | +0.14 | Outstanding | 23.02% |
| Royal Russell School | Other independent school | Mixed | - | - | 58.47% |
| Rutherford School | Other independent special school | Mixed | - | - | - |
| Shirley High School Performing Arts College | Academy converter | Mixed | -0.51 | Good | 9.6% |
| St Giles School | Community special school | Mixed | - | Good | - |
| St Joseph's College | Academy converter | Boys | +0.04 | Good | 11.14% |
| St Mary's Catholic High School | Voluntary aided school | Mixed | +0.29 | Good | 11.21% |
| Supreme Education AP | Other independent special school | Mixed | - | - | - |
| The Archbishop Lanfranc Academy | Academy sponsor led | Mixed | +0.1 | - | 13.15% |
| The Cedars School | Other independent school | Boys | - | - | 45% |
| The Laurels School | Other independent school | Mixed | - | - | 53.16% |
| The New School | Other independent school | Mixed | - | - | - |
| The Quest Academy | Academy sponsor led | Mixed | -0.35 | Requires improvement | 12.36% |
| The Write Time | Other independent special school | Mixed | - | - | - |
| Thomas More Catholic School | Voluntary aided school | Mixed | -0.13 | Good | 12.12% |
| Trinity School | Other independent school | Mixed | - | - | 82.19% |
| Whitgift School | Other independent school | Boys | - | - | 77.68% |
| Woodcote High School | Academy converter | Mixed | -0.07 | Good | 20.38% |
Disclaimer
All data on this page is sourced from the Department for Education’s 2023/2024 Compare School Performance dataset. It includes state-funded and, where available, independent secondary schools. Some schools may be missing data for Progress 8 scores, GCSE 9–7 results, or Ofsted ratings due to unpublished or unavailable figures. Rankings are based only on schools with published data and may not reflect recent changes. Please check school websites for the latest information.How we ranked the best schools in Croydon?
Why trust our rankings? Our analysis is based on the latest 2023/2024 data from the Department for Education’s Compare School Performance (CSP) database, which publishes official performance data for all secondary schools in England, including both state-funded and independent schools where available.
We’ve created separate tables to highlight top performers in three key areas:
- Progress 8 (pupil progress from KS2 to GCSE)
- GCSE 9–7 grades (academic excellence)
- Overall school listings, with available Ofsted ratings
Schools are primarily ranked by their Progress 8 score. This clever metric doesn’t just reward schools with high-attaining intakes – it highlights the ones that genuinely support student growth by measuring progress from the end of primary school to GCSEs. It adjusts for prior attainment, making it one of the fairest ways to compare schools.
Where available, we also show the percentage of GCSE grades at 9–7 to reflect high academic achievement, and Ofsted ratings for added context. All figures come directly from CSP’s official dataset.
Where Progress 8 data is not available for any schools in Croydon, the corresponding table will not be shown. This simply means that no schools in this area had published Progress 8 scores at the time of the latest dataset, it does not reflect on the quality of the schools themselves.
How to support your child at home
Helping your child succeed at school doesn’t just happen in the classroom, the right support at home can make a big difference. Encourage a regular study routine, provide a quiet space for learning, and take an interest in what they’re covering in lessons. Even small actions, like checking in on homework or discussing what they learned that day, can build motivation and accountability.
If you’re looking for extra structure, our GCSE Revision Resources are designed to make studying easier. With expert-written notes, topic-by-topic exam questions, and mark schemes, your child can practise exactly what they need to know, when they need to know it.
Boosting confidence before exams
Confidence can make a huge difference to exam performance. Start by helping your child identify their strengths and weaknesses, then focus revision time on areas that need improvement. Practising under timed conditions can reduce exam-day nerves, while celebrating small wins along the way builds self-belief.
Our GCSE Exam Practice pages include hundreds of past-paper style questions and worked solutions, so students can walk into their exams knowing exactly what to expect. By building familiarity with the question styles and formats, they’ll feel prepared and ready to perform at their best.
Share this article





