Shirley High School Performing Arts College, Croydon

In its own words: ""Leaders' ambitions and high expectations of pupils, teachers and parents cascade throughout the community." - OFSTED Shirley High School is a proud multicultural school with an established reputation of integrity and excellence."

In 2026, pupils at Shirley High School Performing Arts College averaged an Attainment 8 score of 38.5, the average grade across their best eight GCSEs. The average state school scored 46.4 in Croydon and 47 across England.

25% passed English and maths at grade 5 or above, against 46% in Croydon and 47% in England.

That is in line with 2025, when the score was 37.7.

Its most recent Progress 8 score, for 2024, was -0.51: pupils made well below average progress compared with pupils nationally who started secondary school at the same level. Progress 8 was not published for 2026.

Disadvantaged pupils averaged an Attainment 8 of 35.9, against 42 for other pupils at the school - a gap of 6.1 points.

Pupils sat GCSEs in 26 subjects; after English and maths, the most popular were Combined Science, Geography and Art and Design.

For September 2026 entry, 84 families put Shirley High School Performing Arts College as their first choice and 386 named it as one of their preferences, for 142 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 secondary schools to Shirley High School Performing Arts College are Coloma Convent Girls' School (0.1 miles, Attainment 8 56.8); Orchard Park High School (1.1 miles, Good, Attainment 8 50.5); Oasis Academy Shirley Park (1.1 miles, Good, Attainment 8 40.6); and Coombe Wood School (1.2 miles, Good, Attainment 8 53.9).

Each of them had higher 2026 results than Shirley High School Performing Arts College.

Shirley High School Performing Arts College is run by its own single-school academy trust.

Of the 175 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 84% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 43% to a further education college, 2% to an apprenticeship and 3% into work.

Of the 57 students who left the sixth form in 2023/24, 49% went on to university or other higher education, 2% to apprenticeships and 19% into work. 3% went to one of the most selective third of universities.

50.5% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), and 28.6% 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 (21%) and Mixed (17%).

In 2026, 187 pupils (23.4%) received SEN support and 25 (3.1%) 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 social, emotional and mental health needs.

The nearest tram or metro stop is Coombe Lane Tram Stop, about 0.8 miles away in a straight line.

3 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Shirley Windmill, 360 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 121 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and shoplifting. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Croydon (488).

In 2024/25, Shirley High School Performing Arts College issued 106 suspensions, 13.5 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and 2 permanent exclusions.

The primary schools closest to Shirley High School Performing Arts College are St John's CofE Primary School (0.2 miles), Harris Primary Academy Benson (0.3 miles), Forest Academy (0.8 miles) and Orchard Way Primary School (1 mile). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.