ACADEMIES may not be popular with everyone but they are certainly popular with Croydon parents.

Figures obtained by the Advertiser show that Harris Academy Crystal Palace, in Upper Norwood, is by far the most popular school in the borough.

A remarkable 521 children who will be moving up to secondary school in September selected the school as their first choice.

Most were left disappointed, however, as the school only has 180 places.

The number of children putting the school as their first preferred choice was double the number opting for the second most popular, Coloma Convent Girls' School, in Shirley.

And it is 17 times more popular than Selsdon High, which is itself hoping to become an academy – and as a result become more popular with parents – in September.

As Croydon's least popular school, it saw only 31 children making it their first choice.

The figures are good news all round for the academies.

Oasis Academy Shirley Park, which replaced failing Ashburton Community School last year, saw its first choice applications rise from 94 to 142.

And Oasis Academy Coulsdon, which replaced Coulsdon High in September 2008, is seeing similar increased confidence with first choice applications going from 25 last year to 63.

Steve Chalke, chief executive of the Oasis Trust which runs both academies, said: "This is massive progress for both the academies, they are doubling their figures.

"There are some parents who have clearly chosen our academy because they are investing in a new and improved management.

"Others are understandably waiting to see the first set of GCSE results at Shirley Park, and I am confident they will be very impressed."

Harris Academy Purley, which replaced Haling Manor School, in South Croydon, last year, has also experienced a boost in popularity, with 100 children naming it as their first pick – 39 more than last year.

The figures will be well received at Croydon Council, given how much anger there was from some parents when it was announced the likes of Haling Manor were becoming academies.

And council chiefs will be hoping that in years to come the newest academies will be as popular as Harris Academy in Crystal Palace.

Its head teacher Steve Kenning is delighted by the school's continuing rise in popularity.

He said: "Last year we had about 400 first choice applicants so we've excelled ourselves again.

"I do believe the reason is that we are excellent but constantly striving to improve.

"Last year we won an 'outstanding' grade in each Ofsted category, but we still recognised a lot of areas where we could do even better.

"If something is not of the highest quality we immediately set about fixing it.

"Sadly, with just 180 places to offer each year, there are a lot of disappointed children, but we are extremely fair in our selection process.

"This year we had over 100 appeals and one or two were offered a place as a result."

What do you think of academies? Let us know by writing to Letters, 3rd Floor, Jessop House, 100 Tamworth Road, Croydon, CR0 1XX or e-mailing newsdesk@croydonadvertiser.co.uk