Firle Church of England Primary School
Lewes, BN8 6LF · East Sussex · primary school
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130th of 130 primary schools in East Sussex we can score, 144 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 — 0.0/10 against 3,377 of them, against 0.4/10 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 | 14.0 · 0 | 62% | 0.03 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 0.0 · 10 | 38% | 0.40 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Firle Church of England Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 14.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. The higher standard was reached by 0.0%, 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 (0.0 out of 10 against similar schools, 0.4 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils join Modelling, Code, and French Clubs, plus Brightsparks Multi-sports. They play Albion in the Community Football and Girls' Football, attend Band Practice, and visit Hertmonceux Natural History Museum and Bodiam Castle. An after-school club is available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 53 pupils against a stated capacity of 105. 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 to bridge the gap between the current 14.0% expected standard and the national median of 64%? What specific strategies are used to help students reach the higher standard, given the current 0.0% figure?
What Ofsted said about Firle Church of England Primary School
Overview
Pupils are “very happy” and benefit from a “strong culture of nurture and care,” with “good” behaviour and personal development. However, the quality of education, leadership, and early years provision “requires improvement” because “too many pupils still do not achieve well enough academically.”
Strengths
- Pupils are “polite and engaged,” with the school providing “very effective” support for those needing additional behavioural help.
- Personal development is a strength, with pupils supported to “develop positive character traits” and treated with “kindness and sensitivity.”
- Mathematics provision is strong, with “most pupils... achieving well” due to “well-organised, ambitious curriculums.”
- Staff are “dedicated” and prioritise staff well-being, while governors are “highly supportive.”
Areas to improve
- Ensure early reading and phonics are taught with expertise and delivered “consistently and as intended” so pupils read “confidently and securely.”
- Introduce a “clear, sequential approach to handwriting and sentence construction” to ensure pupils secure foundational writing skills.
- Strengthen oversight of the quality of education to ensure weaknesses in expertise and subject knowledge are “promptly identified and addressed.”
Safeguarding
The report states that “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 | 22% |
| 2023/24 | 43% |
| 2024/25 | 14% |
| 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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