Howard Primary School, Croydon

In its own words: "Howard is a two-form community School of 420 pupils whose ages range from 4 - 11 years, maintained by Croydon Council. The main school building was completed in 1897, and was formally opened on the 25th of April 1898. It is, therefore, one of the oldest school buildings still in use in Croydon."

The school runs after-school care.

In 2025, 71% of Year 6 pupils at Howard Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 73% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 80% and 80% in Croydon and 77% and 75% across England.

Results fell from 75% in reading and 75% in maths in 2024.

For September 2026 entry, 28 families put Howard Primary School as their first choice and 123 named it as one of their preferences, for 34 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 Howard Primary School are Heathfield Academy (0.2 miles, Outstanding, 91% reading, 93% maths); Krishna Avanti Primary School (0.3 miles, Good, 92% reading, 100% maths); Aerodrome Primary Academy (0.4 miles, Good, 82% reading, 80% maths); and Harris Primary Academy Haling Park (0.5 miles, Outstanding, 83% reading, 92% maths).

Each of them had higher 2025 results than Howard Primary School.

34.9% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), and 53.2% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are Black (31%), Asian (22%) and Mixed (16%).

In 2026, 54 pupils (14%) received SEN support and 8 (2.1%) 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.

The nearest railway station is South Croydon Station, about 580 metres away (roughly a 7-minute walk).

14 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Warham Road / Brighton Road, 170 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 833 crimes within a mile of the school, most often anti-social behaviour, violence and sexual offences and shoplifting. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Croydon (488), as is usual near a town centre.

In 2024/25, Howard Primary School issued 2 suspensions, 0.5 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The secondary schools closest to Howard Primary School are Harris Federation Post 16 (0.7 miles), Harris Academy Purley (0.8 miles), Archbishop Tenison's CofE High School (0.9 miles) and Coombe Wood School (1.1 miles).