Most sought-after schools in Croydon
Ordered by how many families put the school first, for each place it gave out.
This list is sorted by one number: first preferences per place. For each school it is the number of families who named it first, divided by the number of offers it made, in the newest year we hold. A higher number means more families wanted a place than there were places.
This is not a list of the best schools. It does not measure how good a school is, how happy the children are, or how well they do. It also does not tell you whether a child would get a place: that depends on where you live, the year, and the council's rules. It only shows how many people applied.
| # | School | First preferences per place | Newest intake | Latest Ofsted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Beaumont Primary School Purley, primary |
2.50 | 2025 | Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 2 |
Coombe Wood School South Croydon, secondary |
2.46 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 3 |
Park Hill Infant School Croydon, primary |
1.58 | 2025 | Outstanding (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 4 |
Riddlesdown Collegiate Purley, secondary |
1.55 | 2025 | Outstanding (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 5 |
St John's CofE Primary School Croydon, primary |
1.52 | 2025 | Strong standard (Ofsted report card (current framework)) |
| 6 |
Greenvale Primary School South Croydon, primary |
1.50 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 7 |
Rockmount Primary School London, primary |
1.47 | 2025 | Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 8 |
The Hayes Primary School Kenley, primary |
1.47 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 9 |
Heathfield Academy Croydon, primary |
1.36 | 2025 | Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 10 |
Harris Primary Academy Croydon Croydon, primary |
1.32 | 2025 | Outstanding (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 11 |
Harris Primary Academy Benson Croydon, primary |
1.30 | 2025 | Outstanding (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 12 |
Gresham Primary School South Croydon, primary |
1.23 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 13 |
Oasis Academy Coulsdon Croydon, secondary |
1.22 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 14 |
Cypress Primary School London, primary |
1.21 | 2025 | Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 15 |
Aerodrome Primary Academy Croydon, primary |
1.18 | 2025 | Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework)) |
| 16 |
St James the Great RC Primary and Nursery School Thornton Heath, primary |
1.18 | 2025 | Outstanding (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 17 |
Smitham Primary School Coulsdon, primary |
1.17 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 18 |
Ecclesbourne Primary School Thornton Heath, primary |
1.15 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 19 |
Keston Primary School Coulsdon, primary |
1.15 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 20 |
St Mary's Catholic Infant School Croydon, primary |
1.15 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 21 |
Atwood Primary School South Croydon, primary |
1.09 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 22 |
Chipstead Valley Primary School Coulsdon, primary |
1.08 | 2025 | Outstanding (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 23 |
Oasis Academy Ryelands London, primary |
1.08 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 24 |
Oasis Academy Byron Coulsdon, primary |
1.07 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 25 |
Forestdale Primary School Croydon, primary |
1.05 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 26 |
Margaret Roper Catholic Primary School Purley, primary |
1.03 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 27 |
St Thomas Becket Catholic Primary School London, primary |
1.02 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 28 |
Applegarth Academy Croydon, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 29 |
Good Shepherd Catholic Primary and Nursery School Croydon, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 30 |
Harris City Academy Crystal Palace London, secondary |
1.00 | 2025 | Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 31 |
Ridgeway Primary School South Croydon, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 32 |
St Cyprian's Greek Orthodox Primary Academy Thornton Heath, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | Requires improvement (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 33 |
St Joseph's RC Infant School London, primary |
0.97 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 34 |
Castle Hill Academy Croydon, primary |
0.95 | 2025 | Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 35 |
Tudor Academy Croydon, primary |
0.95 | 2025 | Improved significantly (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 36 |
Winterbourne Nursery and Infants' School Thornton Heath, primary |
0.94 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 37 |
The Crescent Primary School Croydon, primary |
0.93 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 38 |
Fairchildes Primary School Croydon, primary |
0.92 | 2025 | Outstanding (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 39 |
Krishna Avanti Primary School Croydon, primary |
0.92 | 2025 | Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 40 |
Paxton Academy Sports And Science Thornton Heath, primary |
0.92 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 41 |
All Saints CofE Primary School London, primary |
0.91 | 2025 | Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 42 |
Downsview Primary and Nursery School London, primary |
0.91 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 43 |
Elmwood Infant School Croydon, primary |
0.91 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 44 |
Courtwood Primary School Croydon, primary |
0.90 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 45 |
Harris Primary Academy Haling Park Croydon, primary |
0.90 | 2025 | School remains Outstanding (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 46 |
Orchard Way Primary School Croydon, primary |
0.90 | 2025 | Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 47 |
Rowdown Primary School Croydon, primary |
0.90 | 2025 | Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 48 |
West Thornton Primary School Croydon, primary |
0.90 | 2025 | Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 49 |
Chestnut Park Primary School Croydon, primary |
0.88 | 2025 | Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 50 |
Gonville Academy Thornton Heath, primary |
0.88 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 51 |
Heavers Farm Primary School London, primary |
0.88 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 52 |
Monks Orchard Primary School Croydon, primary |
0.88 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 53 |
Orchard Park High School Croydon, secondary |
0.88 | 2025 | School remains Good (Improving) - S5 Next (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 54 |
Quest Primary School South Croydon, primary |
0.88 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 55 |
St Chad's Catholic Primary School London, primary |
0.88 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 56 |
Whitehorse Manor Infant School Thornton Heath, primary |
0.87 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 57 |
Beulah Infants' School London, primary |
0.86 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 58 |
Ark Oval Primary Academy Croydon, primary |
0.85 | 2025 | Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 59 |
Coulsdon CofE Primary School Old Coulsdon, primary |
0.85 | 2025 | Requires improvement (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 60 |
The Minster Nursery and Infants Church of England Academy Croydon, primary |
0.84 | 2025 | Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 61 |
David Livingstone Academy Thornton Heath, primary |
0.83 | 2025 | Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 62 |
John Wood School & Nursery Croydon, primary |
0.83 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 63 |
Norbury High School for Girls Thornton Heath, secondary |
0.83 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 64 |
Norbury Manor Primary School London, primary |
0.82 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 65 |
Woodcote Primary School Coulsdon, primary |
0.82 | 2025 | Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 66 |
Harris Primary Academy Kenley Kenley, primary |
0.81 | 2025 | Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 67 |
Purley Oaks Primary School South Croydon, primary |
0.81 | 2025 | Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 68 |
St Peter's Primary School South Croydon, primary |
0.81 | 2025 | Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 69 |
Woodside Primary School Croydon, primary |
0.81 | 2025 | Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 70 |
Broadmead Primary School Croydon, primary |
0.80 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 71 |
Christ Church CofE Primary School (Purley) Purley, primary |
0.80 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 72 |
Robert Fitzroy Academy Croydon, primary |
0.80 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 73 |
Kensington Avenue Primary School Thornton Heath, primary |
0.77 | 2025 | Requires improvement (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 74 |
Meridian High School Croydon, secondary |
0.77 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 75 |
St Aidan's Catholic Primary School Coulsdon, primary |
0.77 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 76 |
Ark Blake Academy Croydon, secondary |
0.75 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 77 |
Harris Primary Academy Purley Way Croydon, primary |
0.75 | 2025 | Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 78 |
Oasis Academy Shirley Park Croydon, secondary |
0.75 | 2025 | Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 79 |
The Archbishop Lanfranc Academy Croydon, secondary |
0.75 | 2025 | Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 80 |
Howard Primary School Croydon, primary |
0.72 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 81 |
South Norwood Primary London, primary |
0.72 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 82 |
Harris Academy Purley South Croydon, secondary |
0.70 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 83 |
Archbishop Tenison's CofE High School Croydon, secondary |
0.69 | 2025 | Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework)) |
| 84 |
St Mary's Catholic High School Croydon, secondary |
0.69 | 2025 | Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework)) |
| 85 |
Forest Academy Croydon, primary |
0.68 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 86 |
Coloma Convent Girls' School Croydon, secondary |
0.64 | 2025 | Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework)) |
| 87 |
Harris Academy South Norwood London, secondary |
0.64 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 88 |
Woodcote High School Coulsdon, secondary |
0.61 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 89 |
Harris Invictus Academy Croydon Croydon, secondary |
0.59 | 2025 | School remains Outstanding (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 90 |
The Quest Academy South Croydon, secondary |
0.59 | 2025 | Requires improvement (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 91 |
Shirley High School Performing Arts College Croydon, secondary |
0.58 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 92 |
St Joseph's College London, secondary |
0.56 | 2025 | Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 93 |
Oasis Academy Arena London, secondary |
0.51 | 2025 | Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework)) |
| 94 |
Kenley Primary School Whyteleafe, primary |
0.46 | 2025 | Requires improvement (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 95 |
Selsdon Primary and Nursery School South Croydon, primary |
0.45 | 2025 | Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 96 |
St Mark's Church of England Primary Academy London, primary |
0.45 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 97 |
Thomas More Catholic School Purley, secondary |
0.40 | 2025 | Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 98 | New Valley Primary School | 0.31 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
Figures from the Department for Education, applications and offers. 98 schools in Croydon have a published per-place figure. Schools with too few places for the figure to mean anything are left off. All schools in Croydon · How we compare schools.