Andy Crofts vows to make Selsdon's Quest school best academy in borough
Aline Nassif
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CONFIDENT: Andy Crofts hopes parents will soon be desperate for their children to attend his school
Photo by On Demand Media
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CONFIDENT: Andy Crofts hopes parents will soon be desperate for their children to attend his school
Photo by On Demand Media
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FRESH START: Selsdon High pupils will find a new regime in place when they return from their summer holidays
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CONFIDENT: Andy Crofts hopes parents will soon be desperate for their children to attend his school Photo by On Demand Media
THE principal of Croydon's newest school has vowed to make it the best academy in the borough in just five years.
Andy Crofts is confident parents will soon be fighting to get their kids into Selsdon's Quest Academy, which opens its doors to pupils on September 9.
The 34-year-old can look forward to a strong alliance with one of the best performing schools in the borough, Shirley's Coloma School, as the same trust will run both establishments.
In his first interview since taking on the job, he said: "It's a great privilege to have been appointed to lead the academy. I'm determined it will live up to all our expectations.
"We've changed the curriculum, we've altered class sizes and teaching methods and we will do everything to support the highest personal achievement for each student."
The new academy in Farnborough Avenue will be a far cry from its predecessor, Selsdon High, which became notorious for poor exam results, bad leadership and student behavioural problems.
Under his watch, Mr Crofts says the primary focus will be on English and maths to give school leavers good career prospects.
He has overseen a radical set of plans to ensure pupils experience the best possible learning conditions and resources. These include shorter lesson times and after-school activities such as supervised homework, extra one-to-one tutoring and sports.
Mr Crofts explained: "We have made some big changes and the feedback so far is very positive."
One of the biggest changes is the Year 7 Learning Suite, which is currently under construction.
This new block is for 11 and 12-year-olds, who will be taught in groups of no more than 20 – a staff to pupil ratio that is better than many independent schools.
Mr Crofts said: "The academy will give the children a fresh start – but our Year 7s will have a very special fresh start.
"They will be experiencing secondary education for the first time and we want to make sure the transition for them is a good one.
"We've made a special commitment to them and we are expecting outstanding exam results from them in five years' time.
"My ambition is for this academy to be the best and I believe there is no reason why we can't achieve that."
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by Natalie, New Addington
Friday, August 27 2010, 10:24AM
“The3rd, Croydon...
What an idiotic comment to make! I live in New Addington and my brothers and I (not to mention friends of our that also live here) went to Selsdon and not once do I remember us behaving like 'feral' children - typical teenagers maybe but definitely not feral!
I suppose the area that you live in is super chic and the darling children (and god forbid your own) wouldn't dare behave that way - let alone like a normal child?!
Think before you make such a ridiculous statement - sure there are teens that behave more like 'feral' kids nowadays but you get them everywhere across London...and probably even down your own street!”
by Joe, croydon
Thursday, August 26 2010, 9:04AM
“They are the worst school in croydon so I suppose the only way is up, they surely can't do any worse than last year. I wonder what the school results will be this year?”
by Krystal, New Addington
Thursday, August 26 2010, 12:59AM
“Oh The3rd, Croydon
Since when did the Monks Hill Estate become posh then, with perfect children? Like New Addington the Monks Hill estate has always had its good and bad elements - be honest now!
I'd love you to be able to prove statistically how many pupils are from New Addington, as having watched the buses at home-time, the majority of pupils seem to be returning to the Croydon area!
Do agree with Bob though - they are unfortunately likely to be more 'selective' in their choice of entrants.”
by dave, croydon
Thursday, August 26 2010, 12:52AM
“Its a Zoo, now its going to be a Zoo with an extra cage for the year 7 animals
Want to change it, start with all the kids, and move it to somewhere where the Natives can't get in there”
by Bob, selsdon
Wednesday, August 25 2010, 4:04PM
“The school has no intention of having students from new addington unless they are clever. The school will "select" the brightest students from the local community (like Harris academies) and then look further away. It will take at least five years before the could become a good school because that is how it will take for the current students to pass through the system. I, like other parents, would not dream of sending my children to the school at the moment and that is why the class sizes are so small.”