Beckmead College

Beckmead College has received a 'Good' rating in its first inspection since becoming an academy, marking a significant transition from its previous 'Outstanding' status as part of a different educational structure. The school's dedicated staff create a nurturing environment that supports pupils, particularly those with social, emotional, and mental health needs. Most pupils benefit from a well-rounded curriculum that includes both academic subjects and vocational training, preparing them well for life after school. The staff's commitment to improving pupils' confidence and resilience is evident, as they make efforts to cultivate positive relationships and support juniors, seniors, and the sixth-form students on their educational journeys.

Strengths

• Dedicated staff provide individualized support to pupils.
• A nurturing environment fosters pupils' confidence and resilience.
• Wide range of vocational opportunities equipped with workshops.
• Strong emphasis on emotional well-being and personal development.
• Effective behaviour management strategies are in place.

Areas for Improvement

• Learning is not always well matched to pupils' needs and abilities.
• Reading support for struggling pupils lacks specificity.
• PSHE and RSE programme lacks precision in delivery.

In 2024–25 pupils at Beckmead College attended 73.1% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 81.6% 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, 15.5% of pupils at Beckmead College were suspended at least once (nationally 5.1%). One pupil was 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 Beckmead College had 5.4 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 9.1% 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 Beckmead College had 87 pupils, 96.6% of them with an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 99.5%).

It says it provides for: social, emotional and mental health; 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 Beckmead College received £42,047 and spent £39,771 for each of its 84 pupils. It ended the year with a deficit of £96,000 (-£1,147 per pupil).

Across all 8 schools of The Beckmead Trust, income was £37,475 and spending £41,377 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

Beckmead College is part of The Beckmead Trust, which runs 9 schools. The nearest others:

• Chaffinch Brook School Croydon
• Beckmead Park Academy Beckenham
• Ian Mikardo High School London
• Wells Park School Chigwell
• The Greenwell Academy Harlow
• The Sir Geoff Hurst Academy Chelmsford
• The Ropemakers' Academy Hailsham
• The Flagship School Hastings

What is Beckmead College's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Beckmead College is Good, from an inspection in June 2024.

When was Beckmead College last inspected by Ofsted?

Beckmead College was last inspected in June 2024.

How many pupils does Beckmead College have?

Beckmead College has 87 pupils on roll.

What age range does Beckmead College cover?

Beckmead College for pupils aged 14 to 19.

Where is Beckmead College?

Beckmead College is at Tennison Road, London, SE25 5RR.