You probably live fairly close to where I do, niyot. If you would prefer state, The Crescent is a new state primary which is scheduled to open this year on the Croydon/Selhurst border. I don't know too much about it, but having gleaned some info from a friend, it's to be run by Jane Fairbourn as Headteacher. She was the headteacher for Southfield Park Primary in Epsom for 7 years from its inception as a new school - Southfield Park apparently soon became (and still is now) vastly oversubscribed.
However, I do have my doubts somewhat about the proposed class sizes of The Crescent. They are estimating 30 children to a class (the maximum class size allowed for infants).
Also, taking into account the other state schools near that area, I am not entirely convinced that it will be a runaway success like Southfield Park. Oval Primary, nearby on Cherry Orchard Road, has been on special measures since December last year and I worry were it to close, there would be a not-insignificant overspill into The Crescent. The cynic in me worries that The Crescent may face similar problems to Oval (especially in terms of parental support for the school and its policies).
Having said that, I'll be keeping an eye on how things go at The Crescent come September when it opens. But, like you, I'm still veering between state and private and, as you've already said, the state choices in our area are just not very good.