Harris City Academy Crystal Palace
London, SE19 2JH · Croydon · secondary school
Check the area around this school
2nd 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 — 9.1/10 against 554 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 61.2 · 83 | 46% | 3.83 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.24 · 68 | 38% | 2.62 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 52.9 · 80 | 15% | 1.23 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Harris City Academy Crystal Palace overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 57.1% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 52.3, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.24 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did better than those nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (9.1 out of 10 against similar schools, 7.4 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join the Duke of Edinburgh's Award, football, and basketball.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,191 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,300. 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 Grade 5 threshold in English and maths? What specific support is available for students aiming for the Duke of Edinburgh's Award? How are class sizes managed within the current capacity?
What Ofsted said about Harris City Academy Crystal Palace
Overview
The report describes an education that is “second to none,” characterised by “consistently high quality” across all aspects of school life. Inspectors found that the “ambitious curriculum” and “impressive array of trips and activities” prepare pupils exceptionally well for the next stage of their lives, with achievements being “consistently excellent” for all groups, including disadvantaged pupils.
Strengths
- The “expertly designed curriculum” arranges knowledge logically, enabling pupils to understand not just the ‘what’ but also the ‘how’ and ‘why’ of subjects.
- “High-quality teaching” is underpinned by staff expertise and research, with teachers effectively adapting lessons to meet individual needs and checking for gaps in learning.
- Pupils behave “very responsibly,” with bullying being rare and low-level distractions dealt with quickly; they are “polite and courteous.”
- Personal development is a “highest priority,” supported by an effective PSHE programme and strong careers education that begins in Year 7.
- Governance is effective, with leaders actively supporting staff workload and well-being, while safeguarding arrangements are deemed “effective.”
Areas to improve
- The report identifies no significant areas for improvement.
Safeguarding
The report states that “the arrangements for safeguarding are effective.”
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 51.4 |
| 2024/25 | 52.3 |
| 2025/26 | 52.9 |
| 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
Saved schools live on this device only — no account, no tracking. Visit the school's website
Loading full school details…
Similar schools nearby
Same area, prioritising the same phase — useful for shortlisting alternatives.
Every school within 2.5 miles of SE19 2JH, with results, demand and deadlines — area report →
Have a specific question about admissions, scores or dates?
Ask SchoolsGPT