Haberdashers' Crayford Academy Review 2026: Modern Design, Historic Values

From the Iron Mill Lane entrance, the striking glass and steel architecture designed by Foster + Partners signals immediately that this is a school looking forward. Yet, the name—Haberdashers'—carries the weight of centuries of educational heritage. Haberdashers' Crayford Academy sits at this intersection of modern comprehensive education and historic livery company values.

Serving the Crayford community in the London Borough of Bexley, the school caters to students aged 11 to 18. It is part of the Haberdashers' Academies Trust South, a network that links it to a broader family of schools. This connection is not merely nominal; it manifests in shared values of Ambition and Integrity, and occasional cross-trust opportunities for students.

Under the leadership of Executive Principal Mr Steve Wheatley, the school has maintained its Good rating from Ofsted, with inspectors in late 2022 confirming the school continues to provide a high quality of education. With a capacity of around 1,150 students, it is large enough to offer breadth but retains a distinct community feel, aided by a vertical house system that cuts across year groups.

The first thing visitors notice is the building. Opened when the academy replaced the former Barnes Cray schools, the campus is light, airy, and purpose-built for modern learning. The "street" concept runs through the heart of the school, creating a central spine where students congregate. While architecturally imposing, staff work hard to ensure the atmosphere remains warm.

The school ethos is encapsulated in the motto "Together, we are Haberdashers". This sense of belonging is fostered through the House system, which provides the pastoral framework. Students are not just members of a year group but belong to Houses that compete in everything from sports to debating.

The atmosphere is purposeful. Uniform standards are high—blazers are worn, and there is a clear expectation of professional appearance. The "Habs Advantage" programme focuses on character development, aiming to equip students with cultural capital and soft skills alongside their academic grades. It feels like a school that wants its students to walk tall, leveraging the Haberdashers' brand to give Crayford children the same confidence as their peers in the private sector.

In 2024, the school's performance reflects a mixed picture, with solid outcomes at GCSE and areas for development in the Sixth Form.

At GCSE, Haberdashers' Crayford Academy ranks 2,573rd in England and 8th in Dartford/Bexley border area. This performance places it in the national typical band, reflecting solid performance in line with the middle 35% of schools in England (25th to 60th percentile). The average Attainment 8 score of 44.3 sits just below the England average of 45.9, while the Progress 8 score of -0.13 suggests that students make progress broadly in line with expectations, though slightly below the national baseline.

The percentage of pupils achieving Grade 5 or above in English and Maths is a key metric for parents. While specific combined figures fluctuate, the EBacc average point score of 3.78 indicates a curriculum that remains broad, though attainment in these traditional academic subjects is currently below the England average of 4.08.

At A-level, the picture is more challenging. Ranked 2,450th in England and 10th locally, the Sixth Form sits in the national lower band (bottom 40%). The percentage of top grades is limited, with 5.6% achieving A grades in the 2024 cohort. The proportion of students achieving A*-B was 18.5%, significantly below the England average of 47.2%. These figures suggest that while the Sixth Form provides a viable route for many, it is not currently performing at the elite level of some local competitors.

The curriculum is designed to be ambitious, following the National Curriculum but tailored to the local context. Key Stage 3 (Years 7-9) is broad, ensuring students study Art, Music, Drama, and Technology alongside the core subjects. The school resists the trend to shorten Key Stage 3, giving students three full years to mature before narrowing their choices.

In classrooms, the "Habs Standards" dictate the rhythm of learning. Lessons often begin with recall activities to strengthen memory. Teachers focus on clear explanations and modelling. The link with the Haberdashers' Company provides occasional access to specialist resources and external speakers, enriching the standard offer.

Reading is a significant focus. The "Drop Everything and Read" initiative and a well-stocked library aim to improve literacy rates, which the school identifies as the key to unlocking the rest of the curriculum.

The path from Crayford varies widely, reflecting the comprehensive intake. In 2024, 57% of leavers progressed to university, a healthy figure that demonstrates the school’s commitment to academic progression.

While the A-level top grades are lower than national averages, the school successfully supports students into Higher Education. 7% of leavers moved into apprenticeships, and 22% entered employment directly, reflecting a strong careers programme that values vocational routes alongside academic ones.

For those aiming for university, destinations are diverse. While Oxbridge and Russell Group numbers are not the headline story here compared to the selective grammars in Bexley, students regularly secure places at solid universities to study courses ranging from Nursing and Engineering to Business and the Arts.

Admission to Haberdashers' Crayford Academy is coordinated by the London Borough of Bexley, though the school attracts many applications from the Kent border (Dartford) due to its location.

The school is popular. In 2024, there were 567 applications for 180 places in Year 7. This represents a subscription ratio of over 3 applications per place, making it an Oversubscribed school.

Key criteria for admission (after Looked After Children and siblings) typically involve distance from the school. Unlike the nearby grammar schools, there is no selection by ability (11-plus) for the main school. However, parents should check the specific banding arrangements if applicable, as some local schools use fair banding tests to ensure a balanced ability intake.

The school follows the standard secondary transfer timeline. Families must apply via their home local authority (Bexley or Kent) by 31 October for entry the following September.

Pastoral care is structured around the House system, which breaks the large school down into smaller, manageable units. Each student has a Form Tutor who is the first point of contact, but the Head of House plays a pivotal role in monitoring wellbeing and behaviour.

The school employs a "warm strict" approach. Expectations for behaviour are high, and the behaviour policy is rigorously enforced. This ensures the environment is calm and safe, though some students may find the strict uniform and conduct codes demanding initially.

Support for students with Special Educational Needs (SEN) is coordinated by the SENCO, with a team of Teaching Assistants providing in-class support and targeted interventions. The modern building is accessible, which helps students with physical disabilities.

The "Habs Advantage" extends outside the classroom. The co-curricular programme is a strength, leveraging the Trust's resources.

Sport

Facilities are excellent, thanks to the modern build. Students have access to a large sports hall, activity studio, and extensive outdoor pitches. Football, netball, and athletics are staples, with teams competing in Bexley and Kent leagues. The school encourages participation for all, not just the elite.

The Arts

Music and Drama are well-resourced. There are regular school productions and concerts, often held in the impressive main hall. The connection to the Worshipful Company of Haberdashers sometimes provides opportunities for students to perform in prestigious London venues or collaborate with other schools in the Trust.

Clubs & Leadership

Specific clubs vary termly but typically include Coding, Science Club, Debating, and various art workshops. The Duke of Edinburgh Award is offered and is popular, giving students the chance to build resilience. Student leadership is taken seriously; the Head Boy and Head Girl positions are coveted, and the Student Council has a genuine voice in school operations.

The school day typically runs from 8:35am to 3:10pm. The location on Iron Mill Lane makes it accessible by bus from across Bexley and Dartford. Crayford station is a manageable walk, linking the school to the wider transport network.

Uniform is strictly enforced: a specific blazer, tie, and tailored trousers/skirts. Families should budget for the specific branded items, though the school works to keep generic items (shirts, socks) affordable.

The Grammar School Context: Bexley is a selective borough. Many of the highest-attaining students locally attend the four grammar schools. This impacts the ability profile of the intake at Crayford Academy compared to comprehensive schools in non-selective areas. The school does an excellent job of stretching the able students it has, but parents of very high attainers should weigh the environment against the selective options.

Sixth Form Performance: With A-level results currently in the national lower band, families of students aiming for highly competitive universities (Medicine, Oxbridge) should scrutinise the specific subject support available in the Sixth Form. The school offers good pastoral support for 16-18 year olds, but academic outcomes at the top end are currently lower than England averages.

Strict Behaviour Policy: The school prides itself on discipline. This suits many children who thrive on structure, but it requires buy-in from parents. The "no excuses" culture on uniform and equipment is real.

Haberdashers' Crayford Academy offers a compelling blend: the facilities of a modern academy with the heritage and values of a historic company. It provides a safe, structured, and ambitious environment for local children. Best suited to families seeking a strong, values-led all-round education who value character development as much as examination grades. The main challenge is the competitive entry for Year 7; securing a place requires living reasonably close or meeting specific sibling criteria.