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Forest Academy Catchment Area

Reviewed by the catchment.school editorial team · Last updated 15 March 2026

Forest Academy is an academy converter primary school in Croydon , serving pupils aged 3-11, with 190 pupils, and a capacity of 656 places. Find catchment area guidance, admissions policy details and nearby primary schools below.

3-11

Age range

190

Pupils

656

Capacity

29%

Fill rate

Good

Ofsted 2022

Forest Academy Catchment Area Information

What is the catchment area for Forest Academy?

The catchment area for Forest Academy is the geographic zone Croydon uses to prioritise admissions when this primary school receives more applications than it has places. Children living inside the boundary are ranked higher under the oversubscription criteria, after looked-after children and siblings. Croydon publishes the exact boundary and the last distance offered before each admissions cycle, and the boundary can change year to year.

As an academy, Forest Academy sets its own admissions criteria, agreed with Croydon. The catchment area boundary is defined in the school's annual admissions policy, which may differ from the LA's general school admissions arrangements.

The official admissions policy, including the catchment boundary map, is published by Croydon before each admissions cycle. Always verify your address with the council before submitting an application, as boundaries can change year to year.

Find Croydon catchment area documents →

Forest Academy: 656 places, 29% filled: places available

Forest Academy has a published admission number of 656 places. 190 pupils were enrolled in the most recent data, giving a fill rate of 29%. At 29% full, the school currently has headroom below its 656 place limit. Catchment distance criteria still apply when the school is oversubscribed, but at current demand levels, places have been available for applicants outside the immediate catchment area.

The fill-rate figure above reflects overall demand, but the school's intake also varies by community profile. 60.8% of pupils at Forest Academy are eligible for free school meals, above the national average of around 24%. This reflects the school's role in a higher-deprivation area of Croydon.

To check whether your home address falls within the historical catchment boundary, use the postcode search tool on this site.

Croydon publishes its full admissions policy, including oversubscription criteria, the previous year's last-distance figures, and the appeals timetable, on the council's official admissions page. Croydon Council school admissions (official) →

Forest Academy: School Information

Full address
Bridle Road, Shirley, Croydon, CR0 8HQ
Local authority
Croydon
School type
Academy converter
Phase of education
Primary
Age range
3-11 years
Free school meals
60.8% of pupils
DfE URN
140113

Other Primary Schools in Croydon

If Forest Academy is oversubscribed, these primary schools in Croydon are the next closest alternatives.

Nearest primary schools by distance

These are the primary schools closest to Forest Academy by straight-line distance, including ones across a town or council boundary. Distance is not the same as being in catchment: always check each school's own admissions policy for its actual boundary.

Frequently Asked Questions: Forest Academy

What is the catchment area for Forest Academy?

The catchment area for Forest Academy is the geographic zone Croydon uses to prioritise admissions when this primary school receives more applications than it has places. Children living inside the boundary are ranked higher under the oversubscription criteria, after looked-after children and siblings. Croydon publishes the exact boundary and the last distance offered before each admissions cycle, and the boundary can change year to year.

Is Forest Academy oversubscribed?

Forest Academy has a capacity of 656 places and currently has 190 pupils enrolled. For the most up-to-date data, check with Croydon.

What is the admissions policy for Forest Academy?

Admission to Forest Academy is managed by Croydon. When oversubscribed, places go to looked-after children first, then siblings, then catchment area distance. Always verify the current policy with the council before applying.

What age range does Forest Academy cover?

Forest Academy is a primary school in Croydon, serving pupils aged 3-11. For the latest information, visit the school's website or the DfE Get Information About Schools service.

What is the Ofsted rating for Forest Academy?

Forest Academy was rated Good by Ofsted in 2022. Full inspection reports are available at reports.ofsted.gov.uk.

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