Applegarth Academy, Croydon

From the headteacher's welcome: "On behalf of the children and staff, it is with pleasure that I welcome you to Applegarth Academy. We are extremely proud of the strong values, educational achievements and the opportunities our children receive throughout their educational journey."

In 2025, 90% of Year 6 pupils at Applegarth Academy reached the expected standard in reading and 93% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 80% and 80% in Croydon and 77% and 75% across England.

Results rose from 87% in reading and 90% in maths in 2024.

For September 2026 entry, 48 families put Applegarth Academy as their first choice and 104 named it as one of their preferences, for 49 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state primary schools to Applegarth Academy are Good Shepherd Catholic Primary and Nursery School (0.2 miles, Good, 71% reading, 65% maths); Castle Hill Academy (0.3 miles, Good, 68% reading, 68% maths); Tudor Academy (0.7 miles, Good, 80% reading, 85% maths); and Forestdale Primary School (0.7 miles, Good, 84% reading, 78% maths).

Applegarth Academy's 2025 results were higher than all 4 of them.

Applegarth Academy is one of 19 schools run by Step Academy Trust, an academy trust.

Across the trust's primary schools, 80% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths in 2024/25.

56 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Applegarth Academy (as of April 2026): 100% would recommend the school, 98% say their child is happy there and 100% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (100%); the weakest, that pupils behave well (86%).

47.7% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), and 27.3% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are Black (37%), White British (26%) and Mixed (20%).

In 2026, 89 pupils (22.5%) received SEN support and 26 (6.6%) had an education, health and care plan, against 16.2% and 4.6% at the average state school. The most common need among them is speech, language and communication needs.

Applegarth Academy has a resourced provision for speech, language and communication needs: 18 places, 19 pupils on roll.

Applegarth Academy had 28 teachers in 2026, one for every 14 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical primary school, at about one for every 20.

The nearest tram or metro stop is Fieldway Tram Stop, about 410 metres away (roughly a 5-minute walk).

7 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Fieldway, 200 metres away.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood Applegarth Academy stands in is among the 20% most deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.

In August 2026, police recorded 161 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and vehicle crime. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Croydon (488).

In 2024/25, Applegarth Academy issued 6 suspensions, 1.4 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The secondary schools closest to Applegarth Academy are The Quest Academy (1.1 miles), Shirley High School Performing Arts College (1.4 miles), Coloma Convent Girls' School (1.5 miles) and Meridian High School (1.8 miles).