Regina Coeli Catholic Primary School Review 2026: High-achieving Catholic primary with ambitious learning

A Catholic primary with a clear academic engine and a strong sense of shared purpose, this is a school where high expectations feel embedded in day to day routines. The headline numbers are striking. In 2024, 86% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics at the end of Year 6, well above the England average of 62%.

Capacity is 420 pupils, with around 30 pupils per class, so it is a sizeable primary by London standards. It is also consistently popular, with the school describing itself as usually oversubscribed.

Faith is not an add-on. Catholic life and worship are central, and admissions give priority to Catholic children when the year group is full.

The school’s public message is direct and consistent, faith and learning are treated as mutually reinforcing. The mission statement puts the emphasis on developing the whole child, with explicit attention to spiritual and moral formation alongside academic growth.

That faith culture shows up in the details of school life that parents tend to notice quickly. The denominational inspection (Section 48) in February 2023 describes a strong sense of belonging across year groups, including an established buddy system and a “family feel” valued by parents.

There is also evidence of structured pupil leadership, which matters in a large primary where some children need a defined route into responsibility. The most recent published inspection report refers to roles including a school parliament, junior travel ambassadors, a pupil wellbeing team, and sustainability work led by Stewards of the Earth.

Leadership sits within a wider organisational structure. The staff list names Mr M Jones as Executive Headteacher, and Mrs T Christoforou as Head Teacher, supported by two Deputy Head Teachers. That combination often signals federation or trust-wide leadership capacity, and it is reinforced by the school’s place within a Catholic family of schools.

A recent structural change is also relevant for families who pay attention to governance and longer-term stability. The school states that it joined Sancta Familia Catholic Academy Trust on 01 February 2025, alongside St Elphege’s Infant and Junior Schools. For many parents, this will be neutral background context. For others, it will raise practical questions about whether policies, staffing, or curriculum routines are likely to align more closely across the trust over time.

The physical setting is unusually distinctive for a state primary because it includes a named historic building. The school was established in 1953, and it describes “extensive buildings and grounds” made up of older and newer structures. It also notes that Kendra Hall, a former family home of Allders of Croydon, is now used for parts of the school, including Year 6, Year 2, the library, a computer suite, the medical room, and offices. For pupils, that kind of layout tends to create a school that feels like a set of connected zones rather than a single uniform block, which can be helpful for independence in upper juniors.

One point to watch, because it affects early years planning, is the school’s announcement of a proposal to open a new nursery provision on site from January 2026. Families considering Reception in the next couple of years may want to understand how that proposal has progressed and what it means for wraparound, transition, and sibling logistics.

The data points to exceptionally strong Key Stage 2 attainment. In 2024:

• 86% met the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics combined, compared with 62% across England.

• At the higher standard, 53% achieved greater depth in reading, writing and mathematics, compared with 8% across England.

• Scaled scores are also high, with reading at 112, mathematics at 111, and grammar, punctuation and spelling at 113.

The school’s performance also shows depth rather than a single spike. A large proportion reached the expected standard in each core area in 2024, including 92% in reading and 90% in mathematics.

On FindMySchool’s rankings (based on official data), this school is ranked 83rd in England and 1st in Croydon for primary outcomes. That places it among the highest-performing schools in England (top 2%).

What that means in practice is that pupils here are leaving Year 6 with secure core literacy and numeracy, and a high proportion are operating at greater depth. For families thinking ahead to secondary transition, that combination tends to translate into confidence with extended writing, strong reading fluency, and the ability to handle multi-step mathematical problems without panic.

The evidence from external review is consistent with those outcomes. The latest published Ofsted inspection (23 and 24 May 2024) confirmed the school remains Good, and noted that evidence suggested it might be Outstanding at a graded inspection.

Academic strength is easier to sustain in a large primary when curriculum thinking is coherent and subject leadership is effective. The published inspection report describes a broad and ambitious curriculum that builds knowledge progressively and gives pupils frequent opportunities to connect and revisit learning.

There are also useful, concrete examples of what “ambitious” looks like here. In art, pupils in Year 4 discussed depicting a London landmark using pointillism in the style of Georges Seurat. In Year 6, pupils referenced Hokusai’s The Great Wave and linked it to geography learning on natural disasters. When a school can articulate those links, it usually indicates that subject leaders are thinking beyond isolated projects and towards a planned sequence of knowledge and vocabulary.

Early reading is treated as a priority from the start of Reception. The inspection report describes systematic phonics with books matched to the sounds pupils are learning, and swift identification of pupils who need extra help so they keep up rather than fall behind. The implication for families is that the school is likely to be a strong fit for children who thrive with explicit structure, repetition, and clear routines in the early stages of literacy.

Mathematics appears to be another core strength. The same report points to exceptional problem-solving skills, which tends to be the difference between schools that produce high test scores and schools that produce genuinely confident mathematicians.

Reception is described on the school’s website in terms of a mix of whole-class, adult-led, and child-initiated learning indoors and outdoors, with learning organised around core texts and half-termly themes. For parents, the key point is balance. Children who need a clear structure get it, but there is still space for play, language development, and exploration.

For a primary school, “destinations” is really about readiness and the routes families in the area choose at 11. Here, the academic data suggests pupils are well prepared for a wide range of secondary options, including schools with more demanding entrance expectations. The inspection report explicitly states that pupils are very well prepared for the next stage of education.

In Croydon and neighbouring areas, families often weigh a mix of options: local non-selective schools, Catholic secondary schools, and selective routes that require testing. The school’s Catholic character is clear, and the admissions policy makes the expectation explicit that families applying should understand and respect the Catholic ethos. That context often shapes the secondary conversation from Year 5 onwards, particularly for families considering faith-based secondary pathways.

Pupil leadership opportunities also matter for transition. Roles such as school parliament and the pupil wellbeing team help pupils practise speaking up, taking responsibility, and working with adults, which tends to make the move to secondary less intimidating.

Demand is high. For the most recent entry-route dataset, the school received 128 applications for 33 offers, a ratio of 3.88 applications per offer. That level of competition is consistent with the school describing itself as usually oversubscribed.

Admissions sit within a Catholic voluntary aided context and are governed by the federation’s governing body. For oversubscribed year groups, priority is given to certain categories in order. The admissions arrangements for 2026 to 2027 set out that Catholic looked-after and previously looked-after children are prioritised first, followed by baptised Catholic children, with evidence required.

A practical point that matters for families is the dual paperwork common to many faith schools. Croydon Council’s school listing notes that a supplementary information form is used and should be returned directly to the school, and that it is not considered unless the school is also named as a preference on the local authority application.

For Reception entry, Croydon publishes a clear timeline for 2026 entry. The application process opens on 01 September 2025, the statutory closing date is 15 January 2026, and offers are released on 16 April 2026, with acceptance decisions due shortly after.

Given the level of oversubscription, families should treat timing and documentation as non-negotiable. If you are comparing several Croydon primaries, the FindMySchoolMap Search is useful for understanding how your home location relates to the practical realities of distance-based admissions, even when faith criteria are also in play.

The pastoral picture is closely tied to the school’s faith culture, but it is also expressed through concrete systems. The published inspection report describes pupils as feeling happy and safe, and highlights that pupils know they can talk to someone if they are worried. The report also states that safeguarding arrangements are effective.

The denominational inspection adds a different lens, describing investment in pastoral provision in response to increased emotional support needs. That kind of statement usually reflects a school that is actively adjusting its pastoral staffing and systems rather than assuming yesterday’s approach will keep working.

On the staffing list, there is a named ELSA and pastoral support role, which is often meaningful in a large primary where some children need structured emotional literacy support.

Behaviour expectations appear to be clear, and aligned to values language. Both the published inspection report and the denominational inspection describe pupils as kind and respectful, with behaviour supporting learning. For families, the implication is that this is likely to suit children who like predictable routines and a calm classroom culture, including children who gain confidence when adults are visibly in charge of standards.

The website lists several named clubs with specific year-group access and timings, which is a useful sign that extracurricular is planned rather than ad hoc.

Sport and physical activity

There is a clear emphasis on competitive sport alongside inclusion. The PE page describes engagement in Croydon leagues and local partnerships, and lists activities including football, netball, basketball, cross-country, athletics, cricket, hockey and swimming. It also notes participation in Panathlon events for pupils with special educational needs.

A distinctive detail is the approach to swimming. Years 5 and 6 receive a two-week intensive programme taught at Wandle Leisure Centre, with three qualified coaches per class. For parents, an intensive block model often works well, it concentrates skill acquisition and confidence, and it can be more effective than a thin weekly slot that gets repeatedly interrupted.

Cross Country Club is offered for Years 3 to 6 and runs on Tuesdays at 7.45am. Netball is run for Years 5 and 6 on Thursdays. These details matter because they tell you when school life starts to extend beyond the standard day, and how manageable it is alongside siblings and commuting.

The school also reports achieving the Gold School Games Mark award for 2024 to 2025, which usually reflects sustained participation in school sport and related activities.

Music and performance

Music is organised as both class experience and instrumental opportunity. The music page states that children can learn instruments in small groups or one-to-one, with an associated charge, and that most music teachers are supplied via the Croydon Music Service. Instruments currently offered include violin, piano, cello, flute, clarinet, recorders, guitar and percussion.

Choir is offered for Years 3 to 6 and is held on Wednesdays at 3.15pm. For pupils who are not drawn to competitive sport, choir can be one of the most reliable routes into belonging because it creates a regular, shared commitment across year groups.

Service, leadership, and Catholic life

Some of the most distinctive “clubs” here are really pupil roles and teams linked to service. The published inspection report names a Giving in Faith Team involved in charity fundraising and a sustainability group, Stewards of the Earth. The denominational inspection adds further texture, referencing practical outreach initiatives including a Regina Coeli Food Hub, as well as parent engagement through coffee mornings.

For many families, this is the point where the school’s Catholic character becomes most concrete. It is not just liturgy, it is a structured expectation that faith shows up as action.

This is a state school, there are no tuition fees. Families should still budget for the usual extras such as uniform, trips, and any paid clubs or music tuition.

Wraparound care is clearly defined. Breakfast Club runs from 7.30am to 8.30am and costs £6 per child per session. After School Club runs Monday to Thursday from 3.15pm to 5.45pm, and on Fridays from 2.30pm to 5.45pm, at £14 per child per session.

Transport-wise, the local area is well served. Transport for London shows a stop named Regina Coeli School in the local network, and bus routes serving the nearby Purley Oaks Station area include 60, 312, 407, 466, and N68. For rail, Purley Oaks is a local station used by many families commuting into Croydon and central London.

Term dates are published on the school’s calendar page, including Spring Term 2026 ending on Friday 27 March 2026, and Summer Term 2026 ending on Friday 17 July 2026.

• Entry is competitive. With 128 applications for 33 offers in the most recent entry-route dataset, competition is real. Families should keep a realistic Plan B and track admissions timelines carefully.

• Faith commitment is expected. Priority in oversubscription is given to Catholic children, and the admissions arrangements make clear that families applying should understand and respect the Catholic ethos. This will suit many brilliantly; families uncomfortable with a strongly faith-shaped culture should reflect carefully.

• A big primary brings both scale and structure. Capacity is 420 with around 30 pupils per class. That supports breadth of friendship groups and many pupil roles, but it also means routines and expectations are likely to be more formal than in a very small village primary.

• Recent trust change and early years plans may reshape the next few years. The school states it joined Sancta Familia Catholic Academy Trust on 01 February 2025, and it has also announced proposals for nursery provision from January 2026. If you want stability and certainty for younger siblings, ask how these changes are bedding in.

For families seeking a Catholic primary with an academic profile that sits among the strongest in England, this school makes a compelling case. The 2024 outcomes are exceptional, and the wider picture, ambitious curriculum, structured phonics, and a strong culture of pupil responsibility, suggests the results are not accidental.

Best suited to families who want a faith-shaped education with high expectations, and who can engage early with a competitive admissions process. The limiting factor is entry rather than what happens once a place is secured.