Paxton Academy Sports And Science
Thornton Heath, CR7 6AW · Croydon · primary school
Check the area around this school
19th of 77 primary schools in Croydon we can score, 87 in total — the rest without enough published data. 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 — 9.6/10 against 1,577 of them, against 8.9/10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expected standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 87.0 · 96 | 40% | 3.82 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 13.0 · 78 | 25% | 1.94 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Paxton Academy Sports And Science overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 87.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. 13.0% reached the higher standard, against a national median of 7%. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (9.6 out of 10 against similar schools, 8.9 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Good in January 2023.
Beyond the classroom
The school provides both a breakfast club and an after-school club.
Getting in
The published school roll is 281 pupils against a stated capacity of 630. 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 curriculum support pupils in reaching the higher standard in maths? What specific activities take place during the after-school club? How does the school maintain its Good Ofsted rating following the 2023 inspection?
What Ofsted said about Paxton Academy Sports And Science
Overview
Pupils are described as happy and enjoying learning within a "calm and orderly" environment. Leaders have successfully transformed the school, establishing high expectations and an "ambitious and clearly sequenced curriculum" that ensures pupils achieve well across subjects. The report highlights rapid and sustained improvement following previous inspections, with staff feeling well supported and proud of their work.
Strengths
- Leaders have created a "broad and balanced" curriculum with coherent goals, ensuring pupils learn key knowledge and vocabulary from Reception through Year 6.
- Reading is a clear strength; the school "lives and breathes reading," with skilled staff delivering phonics and promoting fluency through high-quality texts and daily 'talk for story' sessions.
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are supported well, with staff adapting resources and breaking tasks into small steps to help them achieve.
- Personal development is strong, with pupils understanding values such as 'respect' and 'care', participating in enrichment opportunities, and learning about equality and health.
- Governance provides the "right balance of support and challenge," holding leaders to account effectively while prioritising staff workload and well-being.
Areas to improve
- In subjects where curriculum improvements are more recent, pupils’ knowledge is "not as secure and deep as leaders intend."
- Leaders need to continue embedding the curriculum to ensure pupils acquire a "secure and detailed understanding" of key concepts and ideas in the long term.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with leaders prioritising safety, staff receiving regular training, and concerns being reported and acted upon quickly.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 78% |
| 2023/24 | 58% |
| 2024/25 | 87% |
| England | 64% |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 14,326 state schools in England we hold a 2024/25 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
- Primary (Reception) application deadline15 Jan 2027
- Primary National Offer Day16 Apr 2027
- Primary (Reception) application deadline15 Jan 2028
- Primary National Offer Day17 Apr 2028
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