sport
Croydon Schools Transform Playing Fields Into Athletic Tracks for Pupils
Independent and state schools in the borough sustain community sport by turning playing fields into tracks and entering pupils in regional events.
How we reported this
Croydon High School in Selsdon has produced athletes who compete for Team GB, a record built on the school's 20-acre grounds that include a summer athletics track converted from its main field.
The pattern matters because Croydon families rely on school programmes rather than external clubs to introduce children to track and field events. Independent schools such as Croydon High and state secondaries keep the entry point open through scholarship assessments and partnership competitions that run on borough schedules.
Facilities anchor daily training
At Croydon High School the 20-acre site in Selsdon supplies a sports hall, gymnasium and all-weather pitch alongside the convertible track. These resources allow Year 7 and Year 9 pupils to train on site without travel. Regina Coeli School fields teams in Croydon leagues and the Croydon Schools Sports Partnership, adding Catholic Schools fixtures that cover athletics alongside football and netball.
Secondary schools across Croydon also run virtual events such as Homeletics, with results posted publicly to keep competition alive when weather or venue access limits outdoor sessions.
Assessment dates set the next intake cycle
Croydon High School schedules its 2026 Year 7 athletics scholarship assessments for the week beginning 10 November 2025 and its Year 9 assessments for 5 February 2026. These fixed windows give parents concrete deadlines and let coaches identify talent early in the academic year.
Families interested in the next round can contact the schools directly for entry details. The same local leagues and partnership fixtures that produced current Team GB competitors will again provide the pathway for the coming cohort.