Oasis Academy Arena
London, SE25 4QL · Croydon · secondary school
Check the area around this school
21st 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 — 4.8/10 against 263 of them, against 2.4/10 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 | 14 | 35% | 0.49 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 38.7 · 34 | 30% | 1.02 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.5 · 16 | 25% | 0.40 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 39.0 · 15 | 10% | 0.15 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Oasis Academy Arena overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 28.8% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 37.6, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.5 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did worse than those nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (3.6 out of 10 against similar schools, 1.5 out of 10 against all schools). The school was inspected in April 2026 under the new framework, which grades areas separately without an overall grade.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join The Brilliant Club, play basketball, badminton, football or netball, and attend an after-school club.
Getting in
The published school roll is 310 pupils against a stated capacity of 900. 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 to close the gap between their current attainment and the national median? What specific support is available for students aiming to improve their Progress 8 scores? How does the new inspection framework affect the school’s current improvement plans?
What Ofsted said about Oasis Academy Arena
Overview
The report describes a school where leaders have established a "welcoming and inclusive" culture that prioritises the wellbeing of pupils facing significant barriers. While safeguarding standards are met and inclusion is rated at a "strong standard," overall achievement and teaching consistency currently meet only the "expected standard" or "needs attention." Leaders are taking effective action to improve outcomes, with recent progress in attendance and pupil engagement noted.
Strengths
- Safeguarding standards are met, with an "open culture" where concerns are actively identified and managed.
- Inclusion is central to the school’s work, featuring high-quality support for pupils with SEND and those new to the country.
- Leaders have a "deep understanding" of the community, ensuring disadvantaged pupils receive targeted support and feel they belong.
- Personal development is well-planned, helping pupils understand risks, diversity, and future career pathways.
- Attendance has improved significantly, with persistent absence reducing through close liaison with families and agencies.
Areas to improve
- Leaders should ensure consistency in the quality of teaching is embedded to deepen pupils’ knowledge across all subjects.
- Strategies to address gaps in learning must be used consistently, ensuring formative assessment identifies and closes these gaps swiftly.
- Actions to strengthen achievement and sustain recent improvements in attendance must be fully embedded to translate into better outcomes.
Safeguarding
The safeguarding standards are met, meaning leaders have established an open culture where safeguarding is everyone's responsibility and pupils are made safer and feel safe.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 35.2 |
| 2024/25 | 37.6 |
| 2025/26 | 39.0 |
| 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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