Coombe Wood School
30 Melville Avenue, South Croydon, CR2 7HYOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Coombe Wood School is a secondary school in Croydon for ages 11 to 18. It is one of the 153 schools in Croydon. It ranks 5th of 23 secondary schools in Croydon. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in January 2023.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 17 January 2023, report published 1 March 2023
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Quality of education
- Good
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Good
- Personal development
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Sixth form provision
- Good
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 17 January 2023
Pupils are happy and well cared for at this school. They especially value the support of their teachers. They said that they have lots of help to do well academically. Leaders have high ambition for their pupils' academic and personal success. Leaders prioritise pupils' health and well-being through their focus on health-related fitness and staying safe. They ensure that all pupils are involved in opportunities to be healthy, including those who may not see themselves as being very 'sporty'. Sixth- form students speak highly of the support they receive from form tutors, leaders and teachers. Pupils have positive attitudes to their learning. They work purposefully in lessons, which are usually free from disruption. Bullying is not commonplace here. Both pupils and leaders accept that it does happen from time to time. When it does, leaders take action to stop it. Sixth-form students are excellent role models for younger pupils. They demonstrate considerate, caring behaviour and commitment to their studies. Leaders have ensured that every pupil accesses a wide and hugely varied range of opportunities through Wednesday afternoon enrichment periods, including caring for the school's chickens, knitting, beekeeping, documentary club, fashion and textiles. Pupils spoke with enthusiasm about sporting activities in particular.
What the school should improve
- In a few subjects, leaders have not identified clearly the order in which some important ideas should be taught. As a result, pupils find it harder to remember important ideas in these subjects and do not routinely make links between what they have learned previously and what they are learning now. Leaders should ensure that teachers in all subjects know in which order pupils should learn important knowledge.
- Opportunities for encounters with employers and apprenticeship providers for younger pupils are limited. As a result, younger pupils do not have as many opportunities to learn about possible next steps in education or training as they might. Leaders should ensure that younger pupils have timely opportunities to meet with a range of providers.
Exam results
GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25
177 pupils in the year group
A level results (key stage 5), 2024/25
92 students
Average A level grade C, England average B-
Pupil numbers and mix
1,162 pupils on roll, with places for 1,100
Schools near Coombe Wood School
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Archbishop Tenison's CofE High School | 0.5 miles | Report card: Needs attention to expected standard | Attainment 8: 45.3 |
| Royal Russell School | 0.6 miles | No Ofsted inspection | Attainment 8: 20.3 |
| Trinity School | 1 mile | No Ofsted inspection | Attainment 8: 16.1 |
| Croydon Metropolitan College | 1 mile | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 13.8 |
| Coloma Convent Girls' School | 1 mile | Report card: Expected standard to strong standard | Attainment 8: 57.4 |
School details
- School type
- Free schools
- Sector
- Free school
- Trust
- GREENSHAW LEARNING TRUST
- Age range
- 11 to 18
- Gender
- Mixed
- Sixth form
- Yes
- Headteacher
- Ms Nicole Williams
- Phone
- 02082894745
- Address
- 30 Melville Avenue, South Croydon, CR2 7HY
- Local authority
- Croydon
- URN
- 145875
School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Exam results for 2024/25 from the Department for Education. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.