Orchard Park High School
Croydon, CR0 7NJ · Croydon · secondary school
Check the area around this school
4th 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 520 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 | 57.5 · 78 | 30% | 2.34 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.37 · 77 | 25% | 1.93 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 50.5 · 72 | 10% | 0.72 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Orchard Park High School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 44.7% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 44.8, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.37 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 (8.1 out of 10 against similar schools, 6.0 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Good in March 2024.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join the Equality Club, Scrabble Club, Netball Club, and Poetry Club.
Getting in
The published school roll is 675 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,000. 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 maintain the progress seen in the 2023/24 data? What specific support is available for students aiming to raise their Attainment 8 scores? How are the named clubs integrated into the weekly timetable?
What Ofsted said about Orchard Park High School
Overview
This ungraded inspection confirms the school remains ‘good’, with evidence suggesting it might achieve ‘outstanding’ if a graded inspection were conducted now. The report describes an environment where pupils receive an ‘exceptional education’ within a ‘calm and orderly’ setting, characterised by ‘exemplary’ behaviour and strong pastoral support.
Strengths
- Leaders maintain ‘extremely high expectations’ that enable all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), to excel.
- Teachers possess ‘strong subject knowledge’ and use methodical systems to check understanding, ensuring pupils produce work of a ‘very high standard’.
- The school offers a ‘very broad range of wider opportunities’, including ‘character clubs’, residential visits abroad, and cultural outings.
- Reading difficulties are ‘swiftly identified’ with bespoke support, fostering a ‘genuine love of reading’ among pupils.
- A ‘thoughtful and well-planned personal development programme’ helps pupils develop a thorough understanding of how to stay safe and healthy.
Areas to improve
- The report identifies no significant areas for improvement.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 49.7 |
| 2024/25 | 44.8 |
| 2025/26 | 50.5 |
| 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 CR0 7NJ, with results, demand and deadlines — area report →
Have a specific question about admissions, scores or dates?
Ask SchoolsGPT