Croydon school league tables topped by academies

League tables published last week reveal how Croydon's primary schools are performing and, as Gareth Davies reports, the academies are leading the way...

TWO academies in Thornton Heath have emerged as the best primary schools in Croydon.

The latest league tables, published last Thursday, show David Livingstone and St Cyprian's Greek Orthodox academies at the top of the class.

Every pupil at both schools achieved at least a level 4 in English and maths – the national benchmark – in their exams last summer.

Results were positive across the borough, with 79 per cent of 11-year-olds meeting the required level, up five per cent from 2011, and few schools performing below expectations.

However, Thornton Heath and South Norwood had extra reason to celebrate with six schools in the top ten. St Cyprian's, which became an academy last summer, jumped 25 per cent, making it one of Croydon's most improved schools. Nearly half of its pupils also reached level 5 in English and maths.

Kate Magliocco, head teacher at the two-form entry school, said: "This is my seventh year here, so I have seen these children all the way through their time at the school.

"It is about our belief in quality teaching and our commitment to getting the best out of the pupils."

David Livingstone's success is further proof of its remarkable improvement since becoming part of the STEP Academy Trust run by Gonville Academy. In the two years the schools have worked with each other, sharing teachers and best practice, the number of pupils meeting the benchmark in English and maths has doubled, though head of school Claire Slade is not getting carried away.

"We are delighted at our results and this is down to the teaching and the hard work of our dedicated children, staff and parents," she said.

"Equally though, in a one-form entry school, we need to be mindful that every Year 6 cohort is different and league tables can change accordingly."

Croydon's most improved school was Oasis Academy Shirley Park, in Addiscombe. The school posted Key Stage 2 results which were among the worst in the country last year, with just 39 per cent of pupils achieving level 4 in English and maths.

But this year the percentage reaching the minimum standard doubled to 78 per cent.

Neil Harvey, head of the all-through academy's primary phase, said: "This excellent achievement was due to a sense of unity and purpose among the staff team."

In total, 46 of the 69 schools which provide information to the Department for Education improved their results, with other success stories including Courtwood Primary, in Forestdale, which went up 28 per cent, and Whitehorse Manor Junior, which leapt 23 per cent.

Three schools fell below the Government's standard of 60 per cent of pupils achieving at least level 4 in English and maths, including Woodside Junior (now Woodside Primary and Children's Centre) and Broadmead Primary.

Though it improved on last year's results, Castle Hill Primary, in New Addington, finished bottom of the table with 53 per cent, compared with 90 per cent at Fairchildes Primary, on the other side of the estate.

Head teacher Mary Watts said five of the 45 children who sat the exams last May had arrived at Castle Hill in Year 6, while almost one third of the year group have special educational needs.

"Clearly we don't want to be at the bottom of any league table but you don't see what's going on behind the figures," said Mrs Watts.

Croydon’s most improved schools and those going in the opposition direction – (Percentage of pupils achieving level 4 in English & maths -2012 result/% improvement from 2011)

MOST IMPROVED

Oasis Academy Shirley Park, Addiscombe – 78% (+39%)

Courtwood Primary, Forestdale – 76% (+28%)

St Cyprian’s Greek Orthodox Primary, Thornton Heath – 100% (+25%)

Whitehorse Manor Junior, Thornton Heath – 90% (+23%)

Kingsley Primary, Croydon – 86% (+22%)

GOING BACKWARDS

Park Hill Junior School, Croydon – 73% (-9%)

Kensington Avenue Primary, Thornton Heath – 80% (-12%)

Howard Primary School, Croydon – 80% (-13%)

Keston Primary, Old Coulsdon – 79% (-13%)

Greenvale Primary, South Croydon – 73% (-14%)

Primary League Table (% English & maths level 4 and % change from 2011)

David Livingstone, Thornton Heath: 100% +14

St Cyprian's Greek Orthodox, Thornton Heath: 100 +25

Beaumont, Purley: 95 +16

Gresham Primary, Sanderstead: 94 +7

Heavers Farm, South Norwood: 93 +1

South Norwood, South Norwood: 92 +8

St Mark' CofE, South Norwood: 91 +16

West Thornton, Croydon: 91 -2

Winterbourne Junior Girls, Thornton Heath: 91 +21

Chipstead Valley, Coulsdon: 90 +6

Fairchildes, New Addington: 90 +18

St Aidan's Catholic, Coulsdon: 90 -6

St Peter's, South Croydon: 90 +7

Whitehorse Manor, Thornton Heath: 90 +23

St Thomas Becket Catholic, South Norwood: 89 +5

Margaret Roper Catholic: 88 +12

St Chad's Catholic, South Norwood: 88 +1

Coulsdon C of E, Coulsdon: 87 +15

Aerodrome, Waddon: 86 +20

Kingsley, Croydon: 86 +22

Monks Orchard, Shirley: 86 +10

Parish Church CofE, Croydon: 86 +6

Regina Coeli Catholic, South Croydon: 86 -4

Downsview, Upper Norwood: 85 +10

The Hayes, Kenley: 85 -3

Christ Church CofE, Purley: 84 +11

Forestdale Primary, Forestdale: 84 +8

St James the Great RC, Thornton Heath: 84 -3

Spring Park Primary, Shirley: 84 +21

Atwood Primary, Sanderstead: 83 +1

Good Shepherd Catholic, New Addington: 82 +6

St John’s CofE, Shirley: 81 -7

St Mary’s RC, West Croydon: 81 -3

Howard Primary, Croydon: 80 -13

Kensington Avenue, Thornton Heath: 80 -12

Orchard Way, Shirley: 80 +20

Roke, Kenley: 80 +16

Woodcote, Coulsdon: 80 0

Keston, Old Coulsdon: 79 -13

Rockmount, Upper Norwood: 79 -2

Wolsey, New Addington: 79 +19

Elmwood, West Croydon: 78 -1

Gonville Academy, Thornton Heath: 78 -2

Oasis Academy Shirley Park, Addiscombe: 78 +39

Courtwood, Forestdale: 76 +28

St Joseph's, Upper Norwood: 76 -7

Smitham, Coulsdon: 76 -7

Benson, Shirley: 75 +11

Beulah, Thornton Heath: 75 +8

Oasis Academy Byron, Coulsdon: 75 +1

Kenley, Kenley: 74 +12

Rowdown, New Addington: 74 -6

Wattenden, Purley: 74 +2

Greenvale, South Croydon: 73 -14

Park Hill, Croydon: 73 -9

All Saints CofE, Upper Norwood: 72 +1

Ryelands, South Norwood: 72 +11

Davidson, Croydon: 71 +8

Gilbert Scott, South Croydon: 70 -4

Norbury Manor, Norbury: 69 +2

Ecclesbourne, Thornton Heath: 67 -2

Cypress, South Norwood: 66 +13

Selsdon Primary School, Selsdon: 66 -4

Applegarth, New Addington: 63 -3

Purley Oaks, South Croydon: 63 -4

Winterbourne, Thornton Heath: 63 -1

Woodside, Woodside: 59 -13

Broadmead, Croydon: 58 +6

Castle Hill, New Addington: 53 +2