SchoolScoresArk Oval Primary Academy
Academy · Primary, ages 4 to 11 · Mixed · Nursery class
Part of ARK SCHOOLS
98 Cherry Orchard Road, Croydon, CR0 6BA
020 8688 3000 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
At the inspection that started on 17 June 2025, Ofsted graded each area separately. It stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.
This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Good |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Personal development | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Early years | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
47 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025.
Croydon comparisons use the 49 of its 87 state primary schools with comparable results. The other 38 have no published Parent View results (Ofsted only publishes a survey once at least 10 parents answer) or used Ofsted's newer questions, which we don't compare with the older ones.
| Statement | This school | Croydon | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school 49th highest of 49 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Croydon. Higher than 1% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 68% | 94% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school 49th highest of 49 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Croydon. Higher than 1% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 68% | 94% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 48th highest of 49 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Croydon. Higher than 5% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 64% | 90% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 28 parents whose child had been bullied 36th highest of 40 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Croydon. Higher than 16% of 6,022 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 39% | 57% | 51% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 40 parents who had raised a concern Joint 43rd highest of 47 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Croydon. Higher than 6% of 8,398 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 57% | 81% | 76% |
| My child with SEND gets the support they needOf 14 parents of children with SEND 15th highest of 15 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Croydon. Higher than 8% of 2,087 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 43% | 79% | 68% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent Joint 47th highest of 49 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Croydon. Higher than 5% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 64%said yes | 90% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 8%). Figures are the share who agree or strongly agree. England figures are all parents answering the same questions over the same period, for state-funded schools. Croydon figures pool parents at the Croydon schools compared, from each school's latest survey, so survey dates differ between schools. The scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) agreement, and the dot marks this school among state schools of the same phase that used the same survey questions. The third it falls in is coloured: green for the top third, amber the middle, red the bottom. This survey used Ofsted's previous Parent View questions, which changed in November 2025. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.
Results
Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25
85 pupils in this year group.
66% — 2 points below the Croydon average, and 4 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Croydon | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 66% | 68% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 4% | 10% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 81% | 79% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 72% | 77% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 71% | 78% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 106 | 106 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 104 | 106 | 105 |
Source: DfE key stage 2 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Admissions
Apply through the council where you live, even if the school is in a different council area. This school is in Croydon. The national closing date for primary applications is 15 January, and offers are sent on 16 April.
How hard is it to get in?
For the September 2026 intake there were fewer first-choice applications than places.
| Places offered | 88 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 71 |
| Of those, offered a place | 71 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 233 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.0 · 2025: 0.9 · 2026: 0.8
This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2026 intake.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Croydon | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 36th highest of 86 state primary schools in Croydon. Higher than 72% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 33.8% | 28.6%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan Joint 68th highest of 86 state primary schools in Croydon. Higher than 28% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 2.0% | 3.4%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 13th highest of 86 state primary schools in Croydon. Higher than 78% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 19.1% | 14.0%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language 19th highest of 86 state primary schools in Croydon. Higher than 91% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 53.7% | 37.8%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 48th lowest of 86 state primary schools in Croydon. Lower than 31% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 5.7% | 5.4%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 49th lowest of 86 state primary schools in Croydon. Lower than 31% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 15.2% | 14.1%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 51st lowest of 86 state primary schools in Croydon. Lower than 55% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.8 | 1.3 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 60th lowest of 86 state primary schools in Croydon. Lower than 45% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.8% | 0.7% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.03% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher Joint 10th highest of 87 state primary schools in Croydon. Higher than 92% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 25.1 | 21.3 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) Joint 9th highest of 87 state primary schools in Croydon. Higher than 96% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 15.0 | 11.7 | 10.6 |
| Teachers who left during the year 5th highest of 86 state primary schools in Croydon. Higher than 97% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 42.4% | 17.4%* | 14.4%* |
Comparisons are with primary schools. Scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) figures. For absence and suspensions lower is better, so their scales run green to red; blue scales describe the school's pupils and staff and aren't good or bad. * Calculated by SchoolScores from the council's or England's schools, weighted by pupils (or teachers, for turnover); other figures are published by DfE. Sources: DfE school census 2024/25; DfE pupil absence 2024/25; DfE suspensions and permanent exclusions 2024/25; DfE school workforce census 2025/26; DfE teacher turnover 2024/25.
Nearby primary schools
- St Mary's Catholic Infant School 0.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022)
- St Mary's Catholic Junior School 0.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2018), confirmed 2023 · 77% met expected standard (KS2)
- Park Hill Infant School 0.5 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2023)
- Park Hill Junior School 0.5 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2023) · 82% met expected standard (KS2)
- John Wood School and Nursery 0.6 miles · Ofsted: Good (2019), confirmed 2024 · 56% met expected standard (KS2)
- Broadmead Primary School 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 63% met expected standard (KS2)
- Robert Fitzroy Academy 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2014), confirmed 2023 · 64% met expected standard (KS2)
- Al-Khair School Preparatory School 0.7 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Good (2024)
- The Crescent Primary School 0.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 55% met expected standard (KS2)
- Chestnut Park Primary School 0.8 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2018), confirmed 2024 · 44% met expected standard (KS2)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Ark Oval Primary Academy's Ofsted rating?
At its inspection in 17 June 2025, Ofsted graded each area separately; it stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.
How did Ark Oval Primary Academy do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 66% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 4 points above the England average of 62%.
Would parents recommend Ark Oval Primary Academy?
64% of the 47 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025 said they would recommend Ark Oval Primary Academy to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Ark Oval Primary Academy oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 71 families put Ark Oval Primary Academy as their first choice for 88 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 71 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 137114.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 3 September 2024 to 1 September 2025.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, Key stage 2 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.