Coombe Wood School
South Croydon, CR2 7HY · Croydon · secondary school
Check the area around this school
5th of 23 secondary schools in Croydon we can score. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still — 8.9/10 against 766 of them, against 7.7/10 nationally. Both figures are results only, without the inspection grade. A lower figure here means a stronger comparison group, not a weaker school.
How this is worked out
| Measure | Percentile | Weight | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.84 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 55.4 · 74 | 30% | 2.22 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.38 · 78 | 25% | 1.95 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 53.9 · 82 | 10% | 0.82 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Coombe Wood School overview
How it's doing
Ofsted rated the school Good in March 2023. In 2024/25, 55.4% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 52.6, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.38 in 2023/24, indicating better progress than pupils nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (8.9 out of 10 against similar schools, 7.7 out of 10 against all schools).
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,162 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,100. These whole-school figures do not establish entry-year vacancies or the likelihood of an offer. Confirm entry-year availability and admissions criteria with the school or local authority.
Worth asking on a visit
How does the school support pupils in reaching the national median for Attainment 8? What specific support is available for pupils who need to improve their Progress 8 scores?
What Ofsted said about Coombe Wood School
Overview
Pupils are described as “happy and well cared for” with “positive attitudes to their learning.” Leaders demonstrate “high ambition” for academic and personal success, fostering a “calm, orderly school environment” where students work purposefully. The report highlights strong support for pupils, including those with special educational needs and disabilities, and effective safeguarding arrangements.
Strengths
- Teachers are “experts in their subjects” who explain complex ideas clearly and check understanding before moving on.
- Leaders have ensured every pupil accesses a “wide and hugely varied range of opportunities” through enrichment periods.
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities are identified and given support to learn the “same curriculum as their peers.”
- Leaders prioritise reading, ensuring the library is “well stocked” and staff visit tutor rooms to provide well-chosen books.
- Sixth-form students act as “excellent role models” and receive high-quality support for their studies and future careers.
Areas to improve
- In a small number of subjects, leaders have not identified clearly enough the order in which key ideas should be taught, hindering pupils’ ability to link prior knowledge.
- Opportunities for younger pupils to meet technical education and apprenticeship providers are limited compared to those for sixth-form students.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with staff being “well trained and very knowledgeable” about potential risks and pupils knowing they have a “trusted adult” to talk to.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 50.6 |
| 2024/25 | 52.6 |
| 2025/26 | 53.9 |
| England | 44.9 |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 3,682 state schools in England we hold a 2025/26 figure for — a school-level median, not the DfE's pupil-weighted national figure.
Your offer chance
—Based on official applications/offers, distance and catchment where we have it. Bands only — never a percentage.
Sibling, faith, looked-after and other criteria can override distance. Always confirm with the school or local authority.
Next dates
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2026
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2027
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2027
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2028
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