Ofsted: Good trending_up High Demand emoji_events #2 in Croydon public Top 9% UK

Coombe Wood School

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

personMs Nicole Williams

corporate_fareFOLIO EDUCATION TRUST

location_onSouth Croydon, CR2 7HY

language Visit Website phone 2082894745

verified

Ofsted

Good

Inspected 2023

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Students

1,021

trending_up

Attainment 8

52.6

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GCSE Rank

#2 in Croydon

#653 of 3,216 nationally

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Coombe Wood School is a Free schools secondary school in South Croydon, serving ages 11-18. Rated Good by Ofsted. Highly competitive: 2.3× more applications than places — plan well ahead.

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School Summary

Coombe Wood School is a free schools in South Croydon, Croydon, admitting pupils aged 11-18. It has a sixth form offering post-16 education. It is part of FOLIO EDUCATION TRUST. The school has approximately 1,136 pupils on roll, of whom 32% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2025, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 52.6, placing the school #2 in Croydon and #653 of 3,216 nationally. 55.40% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths. 26.4% of all GCSE entries were graded 9–7.

The sixth form offers 15 A-level subjects. 39.1% of A-level entries were graded A*–B, with 12.4% at A*–A. A-level value added: -0.07 — sixth-form progress was broadly average.

Ofsted last inspected the school in 2023. The school's current overall rating is Good. Inspectors assessed quality of education as Good, behaviour and attitudes Good, personal development Good, and leadership and management Good.

The school is oversubscribed — in the most recent cycle, there were 2.3× as many applications as places, making a successful application competitive.

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 17.6:1. There is 1 teaching vacancy.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there was 1 permanent exclusion. The average suspension rate was 3.5 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

52.6

Grade 5+ E&M

55.40%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)26.4%

Entering EBacc87.60%

EBacc APS4.94

2024

Progress 8 Score

0.38

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

50.6

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc32.80%

EBacc APS4.43

2023

Progress 8 Score

0.40

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

50.1

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc52%

EBacc APS4.56

2022

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc-%

EBacc APS-

2021

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc-%

EBacc APS-

2019

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc-%

EBacc APS-

2018

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc-%

EBacc APS-

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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

94%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)91%

Apprenticeships3%

Employment1%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)2%

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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

-0.07

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make broadly expected progress at A-level.

Students

Grade Breakdown

Achieving A*1.9%

Achieving A*–A12.4%

Achieving A*–B39.1%

VA Banding Average

Retention rate98.8%

A-level subjects offered15

2024

A-Level Value Added

-0.59

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make below-expected progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

C-

Students

Retention rate92.10%

2023

Avg Grade

C-

Students

Retention rate100.00%

Source: DfE A Level and Other 16-18 Results

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

17 January 2023

Inspection Report

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Inspection Report

Inspection History

1 Evaluations

2023-01-17

S5 Inspection EIF

Good

Education

Good

Behaviour

Good

Development

Good

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

3.5%per term

sentiment_satisfied Below Average (Good)

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

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

2.7%(31 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 1,136 pupils. During this period, there were 40 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 3.5%, which is below 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)	1,136	40	3.5%	7.3%	1
2024/25 (Autumn term)	1,148	41	3.6%	7.8%	0
2023/24 (Summer term)	1,064	38	3.6%	7.4%	0
2023/24 (Spring term)	1,064	33	3.1%	7.1%	0
2023/24 (Autumn term)	1,078	55	5.1%	8.2%	1
2022/23 (Summer term)	1,028	28	2.7%	6.6%	0
2022/23 (Spring term)	1,021	49	4.8%	6.4%	1
2022/23 (Autumn term)	1,026	26	2.5%	5.9%	0
2021/22 (Summer term)	785	19	2.4%	4.7%	0
2021/22 (Spring term)	787	21	2.7%	4.9%	0
2021/22 (Autumn term)	787	18	2.3%	4.4%	0
2020/21 (Summer term)	540	22	4.1%	3.6%	0
2020/21 (Spring term)	541	7	1.3%	1.0%	0
2020/21 (Autumn term)	541	15	2.8%	3.9%	0
2019/20 (Summer term)	361	0	0.0%	0.0%	0
2019/20 (Spring term)	361	8	2.2%	3.2%	0
2019/20 (Autumn term)	361	16	4.4%	4.2%	0
2018/19 (Summer term)	180	12	6.7%	3.1%	0
2018/19 (Spring term)	180	11	6.1%	3.8%	0
2018/19 (Autumn term)	180	7	3.9%	3.8%	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 37 pupils

Specific Learning Difficulty 28 pupils

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 22 pupils

Speech, Language & Communication 21 pupils

Moderate Learning Difficulty 17 pupils

Physical Disability 3 pupils

Visual Impairment 2 pupils

Severe Learning Difficulty 1 pupils

Hearing 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.

71.0%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

74.0%Positive

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

17.0%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree25%

agree47%

disagree15%

strongly disagree9%

don't know4%

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

strongly agree36%

agree46%

disagree14%

strongly disagree3%

don't know2%

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

strongly agree18%

agree27%

disagree23%

strongly disagree9%

don't know1%

not applicable23%

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

yes26%

no74%

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

strongly agree20%

agree17%

disagree27%

strongly disagree30%

dont know7%

The school has high expectations for my child.

strongly agree38%

agree34%

disagree14%

strongly disagree6%

don't know8%

My child does well at this school.

strongly agree31%

agree43%

disagree14%

strongly disagree9%

don't know4%

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

strongly agree31%

agree46%

disagree16%

strongly disagree5%

don't know2%

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

strongly agree39%

agree39%

disagree14%

strongly disagree6%

don't know2%

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

strongly agree48%

agree45%

disagree4%

strongly disagree1%

don't know2%

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

strongly agree29%

agree38%

disagree18%

strongly disagree10%

don't know5%

I would recommend this school to another parent.

yes69%

no31%

Top Secondary Schools in Croydon

Other highly-ranked schools in the same local authority

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Riddlesdown Collegiate

Outstanding

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Harris Academy South Norwood

Good

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Norbury High School for Girls

Good

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Harris Academy Purley

Good

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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

Harris City Academy Crystal Palace

Riddlesdown Collegiate

Harris Academy South Norwood

Norbury High School for Girls

Harris Academy Purley