Did you know Orchard Park High School wasn’t always Orchard Park High School? Once known as Edenham High School this institution has undergone quite a transformation. Let’s delve into the story of this school.
Orchard Park High School stands here in Shirley Croydon. It’s more than just bricks and mortar. It’s a place of learning growth and community.
Before September 2017 Orchard Park High School was Edenham High School. It was Croydon’s last remaining local authority secondary school. In September 2015 it became an academy. This change was part of the Greenshaw Learning Trust.
The name change to Orchard Park High School wasn’t arbitrary. It reflects the school’s location. The school sits in the Monks Orchard community. The new badge and uniform incorporated elements of the previous landowners family crests. It represents the heritage of the school site.
Orchard Park High School serves students aged 11 to 16. The school’s capacity is 1000 pupils but currently has 639 students. This provides a more intimate learning environment.
The school is a mixed gender institution. About 56% of students are boys and 44% are girls. A significant proportion of students 39.9% are eligible for free school meals. This is higher than the average for the ten nearest schools.
Orchard Park High School has a diverse student body. Approximately 67.4% of pupils are from ethnic minority backgrounds. The school also provides resourced provision for students with speech language and communication needs.
The headteacher of Orchard Park High School is Mrs Carly Moran. She has been in the role since January 2021. Before her Josie Mingay held the position. The school employs 32.4 teachers and assistants.
Orchard Park High School boasts some notable alumni from its Edenham High School days. Ben Haenow a singer attended the school. Joshua Buatsi a professional boxer is another alumnus. Feroz Abbasi a former Guantanamo Bay detainee was also a student.
The school’s location is easily accessible. It’s located at Orchard Way Shirley Croydon Surrey CR0 7NJ. You can contact them at 020 8776 0220.
Orchard Park High School continues to evolve. It strives to inspire lives and build futures for its students. The school’s journey from Edenham High School to Orchard Park High School reflects its commitment to growth and community.