Taking on a new job could be daunting at the best of times, so imagine how nerve racking it is to take the reins at Croydon’s best school.

For the second year running, Beaumont Primary School in Purley has been named the best performing school in Croydon.

Anne Morrell took over as headteacher this month after Linda Harvey stepped down after 17 years as head.

Mrs Morrell said that teaching philosophy to all children at the school in Old Lodge Lane makes it stand out from others.

“‘We have no glass ceiling’ is our mantra,” she said. 

“We want to achieve the best for every child in the school so they can achieve their full potential – and not just academically.

“Within the curriculum, every child is taught philosophy.

“That is such an important subject because it helps every child to think and express themselves and voice their opinions.”

The new head, who has been at the school full time since 2003 said that the lessons help to promote high self esteem in the children.

The latest Department of Education performance table, based on SATS results, showed that 97% of year six pupils reached the expected standard or above.

And nearly a quarter of the school’s 10 and 11-year-olds were recognised as high achievers.

In January last year, Ofsted inspectors rated the Old Lodge Lane school ‘outstanding’.

A month later, the Minister of State for Education, Nick Gibb MP, wrote to congratulate the school on being in the top 2% in England for pupil progress.

He wrote again in October to recognise Beaumont’s place in the top 3% in the country for Year 1 phonics screening, with every child scoring 100%.

As well as the string of accolades, 2018 marked 50 years since the school opened its doors.

Before she left, former head teacher Linda Harvey said: “This really has been a phenomenal year for the school and the results we have achieved are testament to all the hard work from our pupils, staff and parents.

“To have recorded such success in the school’s 50th year couldn’t be more fitting. Every child deserves a gold medal.”

Mrs Morrell described Mrs Harvey as the ‘driving force’ behind the success of the school but added that it was always a team effort.

On whether she is nervous about taking on the headteacher role she said: “It is a challenge I know the school, the staff, the children and I know how we’ve got here.

“It is a privilege to be the next head teacher and build on our successes in 2018.”