Carden Nursery and Primary School
Brighton, BN1 8LU · Brighton and Hove · primary school
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39th of 42 primary schools in Brighton and Hove we can score, 47 in total — the rest without enough published data. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — 2.9/10 against 1,876 of them, against 2.7/10 nationally. So this is not simply a reflection of who attends. Both figures are results only, without the inspection grade. A lower figure here means a stronger comparison group, not a weaker school.
How this is worked out
| Measure | Percentile | Weight | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expected standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 50.0 · 19 | 40% | 0.76 |
| Ofsted | 8 | 35% | 0.30 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 5.0 · 40 | 25% | 1.00 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Carden Nursery and Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 50.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. The higher standard was reached by 5.0% of pupils, against a national median of 7%. Its results are much the same when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds, so the gap is not explained by intake (2.9 out of 10 against similar schools, 2.7 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted inspected the school in March 2026 under the new report-card framework, which grades each area separately and gives no overall grade.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join the Galaxy Girls club and participate in tennis, football, swimming, dance, gymnastics, yoga, orienteering, and athletics. Trips include Big School Camp and YMCA Fairthorne Manor. An after-school club is available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 359 pupils against a stated capacity of 420. These whole-school figures do not establish entry-year vacancies or the likelihood of an offer. Confirm entry-year availability and admissions criteria with the school or local authority.
Worth asking on a visit
How does the school support pupils who are below the expected standard in maths? What specific steps are taken to improve attainment in writing? How does the new Ofsted framework affect daily teaching practices?
What Ofsted said about Carden Nursery and Primary School
Overview
Carden Nursery and Primary School is described as a "caring and inclusive" institution where pupils are "confident, friendly and welcoming." The report highlights a "strong culture of respect" for diversity and effective pastoral care, though it notes that mathematics attainment requires improvement to match the success seen in reading and writing.
Strengths
- The school’s approach to equality, diversity and inclusion is a "notable strength," with pupils demonstrating "respect for difference" and supporting peers during prayer times.
- Pastoral provision is "highly effective," offering therapeutic activities like gardening and music that foster a "strong sense of belonging."
- Attendance has improved significantly, with leaders working "tirelessly" to tackle absence barriers for disadvantaged pupils and those with special educational needs.
- Behaviour is "consistently positive," with pupils described as "friendly, polite, respectful and enthusiastic" in a "happy, safe and harmonious" environment.
- Pupils achieve well in English, with progress scores for reading and writing "significantly above national averages."
Areas to improve
- Leaders must ensure the teaching of mathematics is "consistently effective" so that pupils develop "deeper mathematical understanding" and achieve well.
- Staff should refine how they adapt teaching to address pupils’ specific gaps in learning "sharply enough to move learning forward" across the curriculum.
Safeguarding
The safeguarding standards are met, with leaders establishing an "open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility" and concerns are actively identified and managed.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 58% |
| 2023/24 | 51% |
| 2024/25 | 50% |
| England | 64% |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 14,326 state schools in England we hold a 2024/25 figure for — a school-level median, not the DfE's pupil-weighted national figure.
Your offer chance
—Based on official applications/offers, distance and catchment where we have it. Bands only — never a percentage.
Sibling, faith, looked-after and other criteria can override distance. Always confirm with the school or local authority.
Next dates
- Primary (Reception) application deadline15 Jan 2027
- Primary National Offer Day16 Apr 2027
- Primary (Reception) application deadline15 Jan 2028
- Primary National Offer Day17 Apr 2028
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