Arise Academy has closed (Friday 31 July 2026).
The information below is kept for reference.
Arise Academy, Croydon
Arise Academy is a special school for pupils aged 11 to 19 in Croydon. It was rated Requires improvement at its last graded Ofsted inspection, in June 2024. Ofsted's ungraded inspection in January 2025 did not change this grade.
- Ofsted
- Requires improvement (2024)
Data last updated 8 Oct 2026
Arise Academy in detail
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other special schools to Arise Academy are Supreme Education AP (0.4 miles, selective); Bensham Manor School (0.7 miles, Outstanding); Chaffinch Brook School (0.8 miles, Good); and Serenity School, Old Palace Croydon (0.9 miles).
Supreme Education APBensham Manor SchoolChaffinch Brook SchoolSerenity School, Old Palace Croydon
Who goes there
Almost every pupil at Arise Academy has an education, health and care plan (30 of 30 in 2026).
Getting there
The nearest tram or metro stop is West Croydon Tram Stop, about 660 metres away (roughly a 8-minute walk).
12 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Hogarth Crescent, 120 metres away.
The area around the school
Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood Arise 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 1314 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and shoplifting. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Croydon (488), as is usual near a town centre.
Sources: DfE school census and special educational needs statistics; NaPTAN (Department for Transport); English Indices of Deprivation 2025 (MHCLG); data.police.uk street-level crime
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 2 years agoOverall
Quality of Education
Behaviour & Attitudes
Personal Development
Leadership & Management
Sixth Form
Safeguarding: effective
Independent school standards
Did not meet the independent school standards in Part 1 (quality of education) and Part 8 (leadership and management).
- Part 1: quality of educationNot met
- Part 2: pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural developmentMet
- Part 3: welfare, health and safetyMet
- Part 4: suitability of staff and proprietorsMet
- Part 5: premises and accommodationMet
- Part 6: information for parentsMet
- Part 7: handling of complaintsMet
- Part 8: leadership and managementNot met
Progress-monitoring inspection, 22 January 2025: The school met all the standards Ofsted checked.
Source: Ofsted, non-association independent schools inspections and outcomes (Open Government Licence)
Ofsted Insights
From Ofsted's January 2025 inspection report.
What This School Does Well
Arise Academy has made significant improvements to provide a well-planned curriculum tailored to each pupil's needs and learning style. Teachers are specialists in their subjects and use a range of effective strategies - from drawings and stories to individualised support - to help pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs alongside other additional needs learn successfully. The school creates a positive, safe environment where pupils are genuinely ready and keen to learn.
Key Strengths
- Comprehensive and well-sequenced curriculum with strong focus on knowledge, subject content and pupil adaptations - particularly strong in core subjects and art
- Specialist subject teachers with strong subject knowledge who model key vocabulary and use effective teaching strategies tailored to individual pupil needs
- Effective safeguarding arrangements with well-qualified safeguarding team and appropriate response to pupil needs
- Positive learning environment where pupils feel safe and are ready to learn, with skilful behaviour support from staff
- Strong leadership with self-evaluative approach and commitment to meeting all independent school standards
Safeguarding
Safeguarding is effective - pupils feel safe and trust adults, the safeguarding team is well-qualified and knowledgeable, and leaders respond appropriately to pupil needs with effective case management.
Extracurricular Activities
Physical education at local park and Thornton Heath Leisure Centre
Arise Academy is an independent special school for pupils aged 11-19 with education, health and care plans. Following a previous inspection that identified weaknesses in curriculum planning and teaching, the school has successfully implemented improvements and now meets all checked independent school standards.
At a Glance
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 5 nearby schools
Keep up with Arise Academy
Getting There
Train Stations
Tube / Metro / Tram
Bus Stops
Commute and house prices
Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
75%
Available places
30 pupils
40 places
10 spare places
as recorded on GIAS
Area Demand Pressure - Croydon
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Croydon
Across Croydon council
Places available
4,025
Applications
4,184
Got 1st preference
71.2%
Got preferred school
95.3%
All secondary applications across Croydon council (2026/27), not just this school.
Inspection History(3)
Independent school Progress Monitoring inspection
Outcome: the school met all the standards Ofsted checked.
Independent school standard inspection - first
Did not meet the independent school standards in Part 1 (quality of education) and Part 8 (leadership and management).
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
0
SEN Support
30
EHC Plans
100.0%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Pupils by Need Type
No need-level breakdown available
Pupil Demographics
Key Indicators
30
Total Pupils
20
Boys
10
Girls
2026 academic year
Questions parents ask about Arise Academy
What is Arise Academy's Ofsted rating?
Arise Academy's most recent Ofsted inspection, in January 2025, was ungraded, so it gave no overall grade. At its last graded inspection, in June 2024, it was rated Requires Improvement.
Does Arise Academy meet the independent school standards?
At its most recent standard inspection, in June 2024, Arise Academy did not meet the independent school standards in Part 1 (quality of education) and Part 8 (leadership and management). At a later progress-monitoring inspection in January 2025, the school met all the standards Ofsted checked.
How many pupils go to Arise Academy?
Arise Academy has around 30 pupils on roll.
How do I apply to Arise Academy?
Arise Academy is an independent school and runs its own admissions rather than going through the local authority. Contact the school directly for entry requirements, assessment dates, fees and any bursaries.
Where is Arise Academy?
Arise Academy is at Cornerstones, 14 Willis Road, Croydon, CR0 2XX.