Chichester Free School
Chichester, PO20 1NP · West Sussex · all-through school
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21st of 38 secondary schools in West Sussex we can score, 40 in total — the rest without enough published data. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to the 734 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 2.2/10 among them, against 5.1/10 nationally. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.84 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 47.7 · 57 | 30% | 1.72 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.0 · 50 | 25% | 1.26 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 43.5 · 36 | 10% | 0.36 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Chichester Free School overview
How it's doing
The school is rated Good by Ofsted, inspected in 2024-06. In 2024/25, 40.2% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 44.9, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.0 in 2023/24, meaning pupils performed as well as those nationally starting from the same point. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 1.2 out of 10 among them, against 4.5 out of 10 nationally.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join the Colouring Club, Bored Games, Primary Coding Club, and Primary Netball, with an after-school club also available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,118 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,020. 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
What specific support is provided for pupils to improve their Progress 8 scores? How is the after-school club structured for primary-aged children?
What Ofsted said about Chichester Free School
Overview
Chichester Free School is a vibrant all-through institution where the vision to ‘nurture, challenge and inspire’ is realised consistently well through strong leadership. The school fosters a highly inclusive environment where pupils are respectful, kind, and deeply engaged in a broad curriculum that develops their talents and character.
Strengths
- Personal development is rated ‘Outstanding’, with pupils receiving ‘exceptionally strong’ pastoral care and feeling safe and well-prepared for adult life.
- The curriculum is ‘broad and ambitious’, with expert staff presenting information clearly and providing purposeful feedback to help pupils improve.
- Pupils demonstrate ‘calm and orderly’ conduct, supported by a behaviour management system that is applied consistently and fairly.
- There is a ‘caring and supportive ethos’ that permeates the school, with parents and pupils speaking very positively about the provision.
- SEND pupils have their needs ‘accurately identified’ and receive effective support from learning assistants and targeted interventions.
Areas to improve
- In a small number of subjects, staff do not always make the most effective activity choices, meaning some pupils do not develop deep thinking or retain information as successfully as elsewhere.
- There are inconsistencies in how well Reception staff use their training in the chosen phonics programme, affecting early reading implementation.
Safeguarding
The report states that ‘the arrangements for safeguarding are effective’.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 44.5 |
| 2024/25 | 44.9 |
| 2025/26 | 43.5 |
| England | 44.9 |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 3,682 state schools in England we hold a 2025/26 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
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2026
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2027
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2027
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2028
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