sport
Croydon Schools Open Athletics Program Enrollment: Key Dates and Entry Steps
Families seeking to join athletics programs at Croydon secondary schools can prepare now for upcoming scholarship assessments and league entries.
How we reported this
Croydon High School will open its 2026 Year 7 athletics scholarship assessments on 10 November 2025, giving girls aged 11 and over a direct route into competitive track and field teams.
The timing matters because independent schools in the borough run fixed assessment windows that determine scholarship places and team selection for the following academic year. Parents who miss these slots often wait another full cycle before they can place a child on an athletics pathway that feeds into Croydon leagues and beyond.
Assessment windows and entry routes
Croydon High School runs separate assessment weeks for Year 7 and Year 9 applicants on its 20-acre site in Selsdon. The Year 7 week begins 10 November 2025; Year 9 assessments fall on 5 February 2026. Both sessions test sprint, middle-distance and field events on the summer athletics track that occupies the main field. Successful candidates receive sports scholarships that cover part of fees and guarantee squad membership.
Regina Coeli School fields teams in the same Croydon Schools Sports Partnership competitions and Catholic Schools events. Entry there follows the standard secondary admissions process rather than dedicated athletics trials, yet the school still competes in league fixtures alongside football, netball and swimming.
Facilities and competition formats
Once accepted, pupils at Croydon High School train on the Selsdon grounds that include a dedicated sports hall, gymnasium and all-weather pitch in addition to the convertible track. Several current students already represent Team GB at junior level, showing the standard the program reaches. Across the borough, Croydon Secondary Schools also run virtual “Homeletics” competitions whose results are published online, allowing schools without full outdoor tracks to take part in measured events.
Prospective families should check each school’s admissions page for the precise application form and any required medical or fitness certificates. Places are limited and allocated on performance in the assessment week, so early preparation with basic running drills and field-event technique improves chances of selection.