The Archbishop Lanfranc Academy

The Archbishop Lanfranc Academy is a friendly and welcoming secondary school where pupils feel happy, safe and well supported. Inspectors found the school to be good across the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management, with effective safeguarding arrangements. This is a notable improvement from the previous inspection, when the school was judged to require improvement. The school is part of The Bec Trust and serves pupils aged 11 to 16. The curriculum has been strengthened and is ambitious for pupils, including those with SEND. Reading is a high priority, and pupils benefit from strong pastoral and academic support, a well-designed personal development programme, careers guidance and a wide range of enrichment and leadership opportunities. Pupils generally behave well and are polite and considerate, although there are occasional disruptions in a few lessons that teachers manage effectively. The main areas for improvement are the precision of teaching and assessment in some lessons, where explanations are not always clear and checks on understanding are not sharp enough, leading to gaps and misconceptions. Leaders and governors also need sharper oversight of some aspects of the school’s work so they can better assure and improve provision over time.

Strengths

• Pupils enjoy attending this friendly and welcoming school
• Pupils feel happy and safe and have caring relationships with staff
• The curriculum is ambitious and carefully planned across year groups
• Reading is a high priority, with strong support for pupils with lower starting points
• Pupils with SEND are identified precisely and achieve well
• Teaching typically demonstrates strong subject knowledge
• Pupils’ behaviour is positive, with high expectations and typically polite conduct
• The personal development programme is well designed and age-appropriate
• Pupils value the careers guidance and Year 10 work experience
• A wide range of enrichment, leadership and extracurricular opportunities is available
• Staff appreciate the support, training and attention to their well-being
• Leaders and governors share an ambitious vision for the school
• Safeguarding arrangements are effective

Areas for Improvement

• Teaching does not always present new information clearly enough
• Checks on pupils’ understanding are not always precise, leading to gaps and misconceptions
• Monitoring and oversight of some aspects of the school’s work are not sharp enough
• There are occasional incidences of disruption in a few lessons

• Primary Schools
• Secondary Schools

• BRIT School for Performing Arts and Technology
• Bensham Manor School
• Harris City Academy Crystal Palace
• Harris Invictus Academy Croydon
• Riddlesdown Collegiate

What is The Archbishop Lanfranc Academy's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for The Archbishop Lanfranc Academy is Good, from an inspection in May 2025.

When was The Archbishop Lanfranc Academy last inspected by Ofsted?

The Archbishop Lanfranc Academy was last inspected in May 2025.

How many pupils does The Archbishop Lanfranc Academy have?

The Archbishop Lanfranc Academy has 758 pupils on roll.

What age range does The Archbishop Lanfranc Academy cover?

The Archbishop Lanfranc Academy for pupils aged 11 to 16.

What are The Archbishop Lanfranc Academy's GCSE results?

In 2026 its average Attainment 8 score was 47.2, and 50% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in both English and maths GCSE.

Where is The Archbishop Lanfranc Academy?

The Archbishop Lanfranc Academy is at Mitcham Road, Croydon, Surrey, CR9 3AS.