Addington Valley Academy

Addington Valley Academy has demonstrated overall good performance in its recent inspection. The school, which is a special academy catering to pupils with autism spectrum disorder and complex learning difficulties, offers a nurturing environment where pupils are encouraged to thrive. Leaders have focused on providing an ambitious and individualized curriculum, ensuring that students have access to diverse learning experiences. Staff exhibit a strong understanding of the individual needs of students, effectively supporting their development in both academics and life skills. However, the school is facing challenges in developing staff confidence in teaching phonics and ensuring a well-planned careers program for all secondary learners, which are areas identified for improvement.

Strengths

• Staff have high expectations and provide excellent support for pupils.
• The school environment is calm and orderly, promoting good behavior.
• Pupils engage in a broad and balanced curriculum with diverse learning opportunities.
• Leaders prioritize communication development and provide appropriate reading activities.
• Pupils receive effective support for their speech and language skills.

Areas for Improvement

• Not all staff are fully confident in teaching phonics to pupils.
• Careers education for younger secondary-age pupils is not well planned.

In 2024–25 pupils at Addington Valley Academy attended 92.0% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 22.0% of pupils were persistently absent, missing at least one session in ten (nationally 35.3%).

Sessions missed

Pupils persistently absent

Source: Department for Education, Pupil absence in schools in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). Persistent absence means missing 10% or more of sessions; severe absence means 50% or more. No figures were published for 2019/20.

In 2024–25, 0.0% of pupils at Addington Valley Academy were suspended at least once (nationally 5.1%). No pupils were permanently excluded.

Pupils suspended at least once

Source: Department for Education, Suspensions and permanent exclusions in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). A pupil can be suspended more than once, so suspensions per 100 pupils can be higher than the share of pupils suspended. Very small numbers are hidden by the DfE. Exclusion figures dropped in 2020 and 2021 because of school closures.

In 2025–26 Addington Valley Academy had 4.7 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 18.5% were no longer at the school a year later (nationally 14.5%).

Pupils per teacher

Teachers who left the school within a year

Source: Department for Education, School workforce in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). Pupils per teacher counts full-time-equivalent pupils and teachers. Turnover is the share of a year's teachers (full-time equivalent) who were not at the school the following year, whether they moved to another school or left state-funded teaching. Turnover and sickness figures run one year behind the ratios. Sick leave is the share of teachers who took at least one day in the year, so it swings widely at small schools, where a few teachers can make it 0% or 100%. The national figures are for all state schools of the same type.

In 2025–26 Addington Valley Academy had 140 pupils, 100.0% of them with an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 99.5%).

It says it provides for: specific learning difficulty; autistic spectrum disorder.

Pupils by main type of need

Source: Department for Education, Special educational needs in England (the 2025–26 school census). SEN support is extra help in school without an EHC plan. National figures are for all state-funded special school schools. Counts are as published, with small numbers not hidden.

In 2024–25 Addington Valley Academy received £48,897 and spent £45,104 for each of its 132 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £2,091,000 (£15,838 per pupil).

Across all 12 schools of Orchard Hill College Academy Trust, income was £39,932 and spending £38,950 per pupil.

Income per pupil

Spending per pupil

Source: Department for Education, Financial Benchmarking and Insights Tool. Each year is the one the financial year ends in (2024 is 2023–24). Academy figures include a share of the trust's central services, shared out by pupil numbers, and are rounded to the nearest £1,000. Premises costs were defined differently from 2024, so compare them across that gap with care.

• Primary Schools
• Secondary Schools

All schools in Croydon · Croydon local authority: places and applications

Addington Valley Academy is part of Orchard Hill College Academy Trust, which runs 12 schools. The nearest others:

• Carew Academy Wallington
• The Link School Croydon
• Nightingale Community Academy London
• Dysart School Surbiton
• St Philip's School Chessington
• Bedelsford School Kingston Upon Thames
• Unified Academy Dorking
• The PRIDE Academy West Drayton
• Brantridge School Haywards Heath
• Arbour Vale School Slough

What is Addington Valley Academy's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Addington Valley Academy is Good, from an inspection in March 2023.

When was Addington Valley Academy last inspected by Ofsted?

Addington Valley Academy was last inspected in March 2023.

How many pupils does Addington Valley Academy have?

Addington Valley Academy has 140 pupils on roll.

What age range does Addington Valley Academy cover?

Addington Valley Academy for pupils aged 2 to 19.

Where is Addington Valley Academy?

Addington Valley Academy is at Fieldway, Croydon, CR0 9AZ.