Fairlight Primary School
Brighton, BN2 3AJ · Brighton and Hove · primary school
Check the area around this school
27th 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 — 2.6/10 against 1,353 of them, against 2.2/10 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 | 51.0 · 21 | 40% | 0.83 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 2.0 · 24 | 25% | 0.59 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Fairlight Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 51.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. 2.0% reached the higher standard, 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 (2.6 out of 10 against similar schools, 2.2 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Good in July 2024.
Getting in
The published school roll is 393 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 working towards the expected standard in maths? What specific steps are taken to help children progress to the higher standard? How does the school manage class sizes with 27 places currently available?
What Ofsted said about Fairlight Primary School
Overview
This ungraded inspection confirms that Fairlight Primary School remains ‘good’, with evidence suggesting it might achieve ‘outstanding’ if a graded inspection were conducted now. The school is described as ‘nurturing and inclusive’, where pupils are ‘warmly welcomed’ and adults understand their needs ‘deeply’. Leaders maintain a ‘resolute’ commitment to ensuring every pupil achieves the best they can through a ‘broad and ambitious curriculum’.
Strengths
- The curriculum is ‘logically sequenced’ so learning ‘builds coherently over time’, with teachers breaking content into small steps and identifying ‘sticky’ knowledge.
- Reading is taught ‘exceptionally well’, with early years using songs and rhymes to develop listening skills, preparing pupils effectively for phonics.
- Teachers use assessment ‘skilfully’, checking for understanding and helping pupils recall prior knowledge to make connections with new learning.
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are identified ‘early’ and taught the ‘same ambitious curriculum as their peers’ through highly effective adaptations.
- Pupils ‘behave exceptionally well’, showing ‘great respect and maturity’ while engaging in rich cultural experiences and outdoor activities.
Areas to improve
- The report notes that a proportion of pupils do not meet end of key stage 1 expectations, though the school supports them to make ‘excellent progress’ by key stage 2.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 52% |
| 2023/24 | 55% |
| 2024/25 | 51% |
| 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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