SchoolScoresForest Academy
Academy · Primary, ages 3 to 11 · Mixed · Nursery class
Part of INSPIRE PARTNERSHIP ACADEMY TRUST
Bridle Road, Shirley, Croydon, CR0 8HQ
020 8777 2808 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 8 February 2022.
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.
Results
Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25
30 pupils in this year group.
73% — 5 points above the Croydon average, and 11 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Croydon | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 73% | 68% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 7% | 10% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 77% | 79% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 80% | 77% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 77% | 78% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 105 | 106 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 103 | 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 about one first-choice application for every place.
| Places offered | 12 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 12 |
| Of those, offered a place | 12 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 30 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.9 · 2025: 0.7 · 2026: 1.0
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 2nd highest of 86 state primary schools in Croydon. Higher than 97% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 61.0% | 28.6%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 77th highest of 86 state primary schools in Croydon. Higher than 19% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 1.6% | 3.4%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 5th highest of 86 state primary schools in Croydon. Higher than 86% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 21.6% | 14.0%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language 47th highest of 86 state primary schools in Croydon. Higher than 81% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 34.2% | 37.8%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 46th lowest of 86 state primary schools in Croydon. Lower than 39% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 5.4% | 5.4%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 34th lowest of 86 state primary schools in Croydon. Lower than 48% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 12.0% | 14.1%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils Joint 1st lowest of 86 state primary schools in Croydon. Lower than 69% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.0 | 1.3 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once Joint 1st lowest of 86 state primary schools in Croydon. Lower than 69% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.0% | 0.7% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.03% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher 64th highest of 87 state primary schools in Croydon. Higher than 38% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 19.6 | 21.3 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 70th highest of 87 state primary schools in Croydon. Higher than 39% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 10.1 | 11.7 | 10.6 |
| Teachers who left during the year 12th highest of 86 state primary schools in Croydon. Higher than 89% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 29.5% | 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
- Harris Primary Academy Benson 0.5 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2023) · 74% met expected standard (KS2)
- Oak Lodge Primary School 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2019), confirmed 2024 · 73% met expected standard (KS2)
- St John's CofE Primary School 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 7 strong · 81% met expected standard (KS2)
- St David's Prep 1.0 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
- Orchard Way Primary School 1.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2014, before conversion), confirmed 2025 · 67% met expected standard (KS2)
- Applegarth Academy 1.1 miles · Ofsted: Good (2021) · 88% met expected standard (KS2)
- Hawes Down Primary School 1.1 miles · Ofsted: Good (2014, before conversion), confirmed 2023 · 66% met expected standard (KS2)
- Castle Hill Academy 1.2 miles · Ofsted: Good (2019), confirmed 2025 · 58% met expected standard (KS2)
- Langley Park Primary School 1.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2019), confirmed 2024 · 71% met expected standard (KS2)
- Good Shepherd Catholic Primary and Nursery School 1.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 52% met expected standard (KS2)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Forest Academy's Ofsted rating?
Forest Academy was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 8 February 2022.
How did Forest Academy do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 73% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 11 points above the England average of 62%.
Is Forest Academy oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 12 families put Forest Academy as their first choice for 12 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 12 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 140113.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- 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.