Ofsted: Requires improvement trending_up Places Available emoji_events #20 in Croydon public Top 40% UK

The Quest Academy

verifiedData: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

personMr Thomas Beecham

corporate_fareTHE COLLEGIATE TRUST

location_onSouth Croydon, CR2 8HD

language Visit Website phone 2086578935

verified

Ofsted

Requires improvement

Inspected 2024

groups

Students

960

trending_up

Attainment 8

37.5

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GCSE Rank

#21 in Croydon

#2,833 of 3,216 nationally

summarize

The Quest Academy is a Academy sponsor led secondary school in South Croydon, serving ages 11-18. Currently Requires Improvement according to Ofsted — the school is working to raise standards.

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School Summary

The Quest Academy is an academy sponsor led in South Croydon, Croydon, admitting pupils aged 11-18. It has a sixth form offering post-16 education. It is part of THE COLLEGIATE TRUST. The school has approximately 903 pupils on roll, of whom 49% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2025, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 37.5, placing the school #21 in Croydon and #2,833 of 3,216 nationally. 23.00% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths. 8.8% of all GCSE entries were graded 9–7.

The sixth form offers 10 A-level subjects. 25.2% of A-level entries were graded A*–B, with 9.7% at A*–A. A-level value added: -0.18 — students made below-average progress at sixth form.

Ofsted last inspected the school in 2024. The school's current overall rating is Requires improvement. Inspectors assessed quality of education as Requires improvement, behaviour and attitudes Good, personal development Good, and leadership and management Requires improvement.

In the most recent admissions cycle, applications were at 0.7× capacity.

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 16.1:1. There are no current teaching vacancies.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there were 2 permanent exclusions. The average suspension rate was 6.9 per 1,000 pupils per term.

verified Source: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

Academic Performance

verified Data: UK Gov 2024/25

analytics

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

2025

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

37.5

Grade 5+ E&M

23.00%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)8.8%

Entering EBacc57.80%

EBacc APS3.25

2024

Progress 8 Score

-0.35

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

43.8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc67.70%

EBacc APS3.96

2023

Progress 8 Score

-0.56

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

41.5

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc67%

EBacc APS3.78

2022

Progress 8 Score

-0.25

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

43.5

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc53%

EBacc APS3.87

2021

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc16%

EBacc APS-

2019

Progress 8 Score

0.3

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

44.2

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc19%

EBacc APS3.37

2018

Progress 8 Score

0.15

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

41.5

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc12%

EBacc APS3.25

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Student Destinations (After Secondary)

This module shows what students did after finishing Key Stage 4 (GCSEs). It reflects how well the school prepares pupils for the real world.

2025

Stayed in Education / Employment

89%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)87%

Apprenticeships1%

Employment1%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)7%

2024

Stayed in Education / Employment

93%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)90%

Apprenticeships1%

Employment2%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)6%

2023

Stayed in Education / Employment

92%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)89%

Apprenticeships0%

Employment2%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)6%

2022

Stayed in Education / Employment

94%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)92%

Apprenticeships0%

Employment2%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)2%

2021

Stayed in Education / Employment

94%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)88%

Apprenticeships4%

Employment2%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)5%

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Sixth Form (A-Level) Performance

A-level results for students who stayed in sixth form at this school. Value added measures how much progress students made relative to their GCSE starting point.

2025

A-Level Value Added

-0.18

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make below-expected progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

C-

Students

Grade Breakdown

Achieving A*1.0%

Achieving A*–A9.7%

Achieving A*–B25.2%

VA Banding Average

Retention rate92.9%

A-level subjects offered10

2024

A-Level Value Added

-0.13

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make below-expected progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

C-

Students

Retention rate92.70%

2023

Avg Grade

D+

Students

Retention rate88.90%

2022

Avg Grade

Students

Retention rate95.2%

Source: DfE A Level and Other 16-18 Results

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

12 March 2024

Inspection Report

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06 June 2018

Inspection Report

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03 June 2015

Inspection Report

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25 February 2014

Inspection Report

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11 June 2013

Inspection Report

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13 June 2012

Inspection Report

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Inspection Report

Inspection History

4 Evaluations

2024-03-12

S5 Inspection EIF

Requires improvement

Education

Requires improvement

Behaviour

Good

Development

Good

Leadership

Requires improvement

2018-06-06

None Legacy

No Judgement

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

Development

Leadership

2015-06-03

Requires Improvement S5 Reinspection Visit 1 Legacy

Good

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Good

2013-06-11

None EIF

Requires improvement

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Good

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

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Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Official Department for Education (DfE) data. Suspensions measure temporary removals due to behavior, while exclusions represent permanent removals.

Suspension Rate

8.5%per term

warning Above Average

National average: 7.3% for this term (secondary).

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

5.5%(50 pupils)

Spring term 2025

Represents the proportion of unique students suspended at least once in this term.

Permanent Exclusions

1pupils

gavel Exclusion recorded

National average: 7.398% of pupils excluded per term.

Pastoral Context: In the Spring term of 2025, this school served a headcount of 903 pupils. During this period, there were 77 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 8.5%, which is above the termly national average of 7.3%.

View Historical Disciplinary Records (2017–2025)keyboard_arrow_down

Year / Term	Headcount	Suspensions	Susp. Rate	Nat. Avg	Perm. Excl.
2024/25 (Spring term)	903	77	8.5%	7.3%	1
2024/25 (Autumn term)	921	49	5.3%	7.8%	1
2023/24 (Summer term)	969	42	4.3%	7.4%	1
2023/24 (Spring term)	979	38	3.9%	7.1%	0
2023/24 (Autumn term)	985	22	2.2%	8.2%	0
2022/23 (Summer term)	959	54	5.6%	6.6%	0
2022/23 (Spring term)	960	40	4.2%	6.4%	0
2022/23 (Autumn term)	969	26	2.7%	5.9%	0
2021/22 (Summer term)	892	20	2.2%	4.7%	0
2021/22 (Spring term)	891	27	3.0%	4.9%	0
2021/22 (Autumn term)	903	15	1.7%	4.4%	0
2020/21 (Summer term)	835	20	2.4%	3.6%	0
2020/21 (Spring term)	833	6	0.7%	1.0%	0
2020/21 (Autumn term)	833	20	2.4%	3.9%	0
2019/20 (Summer term)	825	0	0.0%	0.0%	0
2019/20 (Spring term)	825	17	2.1%	3.2%	0
2019/20 (Autumn term)	838	22	2.6%	4.2%	0
2018/19 (Summer term)	787	6	0.8%	3.1%	0
2018/19 (Spring term)	784	6	0.8%	3.8%	0
2018/19 (Autumn term)	790	15	1.9%	3.8%	0
2017/18 (Summer term)	723	12	1.7%	3.4%	0
2017/18 (Spring term)	725	4	0.6%	3.0%	0
2017/18 (Autumn term)	735	15	2.0%	3.7%	0
2016/17 (Summer term)	676	17	2.5%	3.0%	0
2016/17 (Spring term)	686	6	0.9%	3.3%	0
2016/17 (Autumn term)	697	17	2.4%	3.1%	0

Source: DfE Suspensions and Permanent Exclusions in England. Data represents termly statistics as published by the Department for Education.

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Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Primary areas of need currently supported by the school. A high number often indicates specialized internal units or high staff experience in these areas.

Social, Emotional & Mental Health 52 pupils

Speech, Language & Communication 32 pupils

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 18 pupils

Specific Learning Difficulty 16 pupils

Moderate Learning Difficulty 7 pupils

Other Difficulty/Disability 6 pupils

Hearing Impairment 3 pupils

Physical Disability 3 pupils

Visual Impairment 1 pupils

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Parent View on Pastoral Care

Results from the official Ofsted Parent View survey, reflecting direct parent sentiment regarding the school environment.

My child is happy at this school.

60.0%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

55.0%Positive

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

18.0%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree15%

agree33%

disagree27%

strongly disagree17%

don't know9%

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

strongly agree20%

agree45%

disagree16%

strongly disagree16%

don't know4%

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

strongly agree22%

agree18%

disagree26%

strongly disagree20%

don't know4%

not applicable11%

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

yes21%

no79%

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

strongly agree12%

agree18%

disagree41%

strongly disagree29%

The school has high expectations for my child.

strongly agree29%

agree39%

disagree16%

strongly disagree9%

don't know7%

My child does well at this school.

strongly agree23%

agree39%

disagree27%

strongly disagree6%

don't know5%

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

strongly agree13%

agree38%

disagree34%

strongly disagree15%

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

strongly agree22%

agree59%

disagree9%

strongly disagree5%

don't know6%

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

strongly agree26%

agree46%

disagree11%

strongly disagree6%

don't know11%

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

strongly agree15%

agree29%

disagree32%

strongly disagree16%

don't know9%

I would recommend this school to another parent.

yes52%

no48%

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School Summary

Academic Performance

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

Student Destinations (After Secondary)

Sixth Form (A-Level) Performance

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Inspection History

Admissions Insight

How Places Are Allocated

Distance to School

School Capacity

Secondary Admission Trends

Students & School Environment

School Size

Language Diversity

Inclusive Support

Attendance

Ethnicity Breakdown

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Parent View on Pastoral Care

My child is happy at this school.

My child feels safe at this school.

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

The school has high expectations for my child.

My child does well at this school.

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

I would recommend this school to another parent.

Funding & Staffing

School Funding Allocation

Funding Breakdown

Staffing

Teacher Turnover

Top Secondary Schools in Croydon

Coloma Convent Girls' School

Coombe Wood School

Harris City Academy Crystal Palace

Riddlesdown Collegiate

Harris Academy South Norwood

Norbury High School for Girls