SchoolScoresHarris Academy South Norwood
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 19 · Mixed · Sixth form
Part of HARRIS FEDERATION
Cumberlow Avenue, London, SE25 6AE
020 8405 5070 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 11 May 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 |
| Sixth form | Outstanding |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
161 pupils in this year group.
44% — 1 points above the Croydon average, and 2 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Croydon | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 44% | 42% | 45% |
| Attainment 8 scoreAverage of each pupil's grades across 8 GCSE-level subjects, with English and maths counted twice. Around 50 means grade 5s on average. | 48.2 | 44.5 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 4.5 | 4.0 | 4.1 |
Progress 8 isn't shown. DfE didn't publish it for 2024/25 because this year group's key stage 2 tests in 2020 were cancelled, and older progress scores aren't comparable.
Source: DfE key stage 4 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
After Year 11
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
334 pupils in this year group.
93% — about the same as the Croydon average, and about the same as the England average.
| Measure | This school | Croydon | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 93% | 93% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 55% | 48% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 4% | 8% | 13% |
| Further education college | 31% | 34% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 1% | 1% | 3% |
| Work | 1% | 1% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 92% | 93% |
Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
A levels (16 to 18), 2024/25
108 A level students in this year group.
| Measure | This school | Croydon | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average A level grade | C | C | B- |
| A level exams graded A* or A | 10% | 16% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 35% | 43% | 53% |
| Average points per A level entryAn A* is 60 points, an A is 50, a B is 40, and so on down to 10 for an E. | 30.4 | 30.9 | 35 |
A level subjects, 2024/25
19 subjects, 232 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
| Subject | Exams | A* | A* or A | England A* or A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Psychology | 40 | 0% | 0% | 19% |
| Mathematics | 25 | 4% | 16% | 40% |
| Biology | 21 | 5% | 19% | 27% |
| Economics | 18 | 0% | 0% | 26% |
| Chemistry | 17 | 0% | 24% | 30% |
| History | 16 | 6% | 19% | 23% |
| Government and Politics | 15 | 0% | 7% | 26% |
| Religious Studies | 14 | 0% | 0% | 22% |
| Art and Design | 12 | 8% | 17% | 34% |
| English Literature | 12 | 0% | 0% | 23% |
| Design and Technology (Product Design) | 7 | 0% | 14% | 15% |
| Physics | 7 | 0% | 0% | 31% |
| Art and Design (Photography) | 6 | 0% | 0% | 26% |
| Geography | 6 | 0% | 17% | 23% |
| Spanish | 6 | 0% | 17% | 34% |
Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Classical Civilisation, Computer Studies / Computing, French, Polish.
Source: DfE 16 to 18 qualification and subject data, 2024/25.
Source: DfE 16 to 18 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
After sixth form
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
248 students in this year group.
86% — 10 points above the Croydon average, and 7 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Croydon | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. | 86% | 76% | 79% |
| Apprenticeship | 2% | 3% | 7% |
| Work | 19% | 21% | 28% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 82% | 86% |
Source: DfE 16 to 18 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Going on to university
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
156 students in this year group.
82% — 14 points above the Croydon average, and 22 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Croydon | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 82% | 68% | 60% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 12% | 15% | 19% |
Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 75% | 82% |
Source: DfE 16 to 18 progression to higher education or training, 2024/25 performance tables. 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 secondary applications is 31 October, and offers are sent on 1 March.
How hard is it to get in?
For the September 2026 intake there were fewer first-choice applications than places.
| Places offered | 138 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 78 |
| Of those, offered a place | 78 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 369 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.6 · 2025: 0.6 · 2026: 0.6
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 8th highest of 24 state secondary schools in Croydon. Higher than 88% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 49.2% | 39.9%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 24th highest of 24 state secondary schools in Croydon. Higher than 12% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 1.3% | 2.9%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 8th highest of 24 state secondary schools in Croydon. Higher than 68% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 16.3% | 14.7%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 10th highest of 24 state secondary schools in Croydon. Higher than 81% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 32.6% | 28.5%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 10th lowest of 24 state secondary schools in Croydon. Lower than 62% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 7.7% | 8.4%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 13th lowest of 24 state secondary schools in Croydon. Lower than 45% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 24.4% | 24.5%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 17th lowest of 24 state secondary schools in Croydon. Lower than 43% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 17.4 | 12.9 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 17th lowest of 24 state secondary schools in Croydon. Lower than 29% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 9.7% | 7.2% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded3 pupils | 0.29% | 0.14% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 8th highest of 24 state secondary schools in Croydon. Higher than 59% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 17.2 | 16.8 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 13th highest of 24 state secondary schools in Croydon. Higher than 68% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 12.6 | 12.4 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 20th highest of 24 state secondary schools in Croydon. Higher than 47% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 12.7% | 21.7%* | 14.2%* |
Comparisons are with secondary 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 secondary schools
- Harris Professional Skills Sixth Form 0.2 miles · Ofsted: Not yet inspected
- Harris City Academy Crystal Palace 0.8 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 57% grade 5+ English and maths
- Oasis Academy Arena 0.8 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 1 strong, 4 expected, 1 needs attention · 29% grade 5+ English and maths
- Aya College (Educational Provision) 0.9 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Requires improvement (2022)
- BRIT School for Performing Arts and Technology 1.0 miles · Independent · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 32% A*/A at A level
- Harris Academy Beulah Hill 1.2 miles · Ofsted: No graded inspection · 34% grade 5+ English and maths
- Oasis Academy Shirley Park 1.3 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 32% grade 5+ English and maths
- Ark Blake Academy 1.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 51% grade 5+ English and maths
- Al-Khair School 1.6 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Good (2024)
- Al-Khair Secondary Girls 1.6 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Good (2024)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Harris Academy South Norwood's Ofsted rating?
Harris Academy South Norwood was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 11 May 2022.
How did Harris Academy South Norwood do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 44% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 2 points below the England average of 45%.
Is Harris Academy South Norwood oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 78 families put Harris Academy South Norwood as their first choice for 138 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 78 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 135249.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25, A levels 2024/25, After sixth form 2024/25, Going on to university 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.