St John's CofE Primary School, Croydon

Ofsted's report card from its 19 May 2026 inspection grades St John's CofE Primary School on 7 areas: 7 strong standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Achievement - Strong standard. "Pupils enjoy their learning and achieve highly."

Attendance and behaviour - Strong standard. "Pupils develop a warm sense of belonging from their very first day at school."

Curriculum and teaching - Strong standard. "Leaders have designed a highly aspirational curriculum that clearly sets out what pupils need to know in each subject."

Early years - Strong standard. "The early years environment is designed with great care to engage and stimulate children as they learn."

Inclusion - Strong standard. "Every pupil is valued in this highly inclusive school."

Leadership and governance - Strong standard. "Leaders at all levels are aspirational for the school and its community."

Personal development and wellbeing - Strong standard. "Personal development and wellbeing is a strength of the school."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should continue to refine their approaches to teaching writing to support all pupil groups, including pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities and those who are disadvantaged, to achieve highly".

In its own words: "We are a school that love runs through. We are held together by love, but not just love, God’s love. We want our children to develop a true love and inspiration for learning whilst also learning to love and accept others; to value the uniqueness that makes us all special."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include football, netball, gymnastics, running, karate, dance, choir, chess, art and French.

The school runs a breakfast club from 7:45am and after-school care until 5:30pm, from £5.50 per session.

Coming up: an open evening on Tuesday 3 November 2026 at 6pm and an open evening on Thursday 12 November 2026 at 6pm. Check the school's website before you go, as dates can change.

In 2025, 88% of Year 6 pupils at St John's CofE Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 90% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 80% and 80% in Croydon and 77% and 75% across England.

Results were similar in 2024 (94% in reading, 89% in maths).

For September 2026 entry, 71 families put St John's CofE Primary School as their first choice and 158 named it as one of their preferences, for 59 places offered. That is 1.2 first choices for every place. 12 families who put it first were not offered a place there.

The nearest other state primary schools to St John's CofE Primary School are Harris Primary Academy Benson (0.4 miles, Outstanding, 76% reading, 82% maths); Orchard Way Primary School (0.8 miles, 73% reading, 83% maths); Forest Academy (0.9 miles, Good, 77% reading, 77% maths); and Oasis Academy Shirley Park Primary (1.1 miles).

St John's CofE Primary School's 2025 results were higher than all 3 of them.

8.4% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), according to the 2026 school census.

The nearest tram or metro stop is Coombe Lane Tram Stop, about 1 mile away in a straight line.

9 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Shirley Oaks Road, 180 metres away.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood St John's CofE Primary School stands in is among the 20% least deprived neighbourhoods in England. On income deprivation affecting children it is in the 7th decile, where the 1st is the most deprived. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.

In August 2026, police recorded 155 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, St John's CofE Primary School issued 3 suspensions, 0.7 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The secondary schools closest to St John's CofE Primary School are Shirley High School Performing Arts College (0.2 miles), Coloma Convent Girls' School (0.3 miles), Orchard Park High School (0.9 miles) and Oasis Academy Shirley Park (0.9 miles).