Hilltop Primary School
Crawley, RH11 8QL · West Sussex · primary school
Check the area around this school
27th of 192 primary schools in West Sussex we can score, 225 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 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still — 8.6/10 against 2,480 of them, against 7.5/10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expected standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 79.0 · 86 | 40% | 3.43 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 8.0 · 57 | 25% | 1.43 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Hilltop Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 79.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. The higher standard was reached by 8.0% of pupils, against a national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school Good in April 2024. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (8.6 out of 10 against similar schools, 7.5 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
The school provides both a breakfast club and an after-school club.
Getting in
The published school roll is 658 pupils against a stated capacity of 630. 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 available for pupils who have not reached the expected standard? How are the breakfast and after-school clubs structured to support daily routines?
What Ofsted said about Hilltop Primary School
Overview
This ungraded inspection confirms the school remains ‘good’, with evidence suggesting it could achieve ‘outstanding’ if a graded inspection were conducted now. The report describes a ‘vibrant and welcoming’ environment where pupils are ‘very proud’ and benefit from an ‘ambitious and very well-considered curriculum’. Leaders and staff demonstrate high expectations, resulting in exceptional pupil achievement and a strong sense of community.
Strengths
- Pupils ‘achieve exceptionally well’, particularly in writing and mathematics, with disadvantaged pupils excelling.
- The curriculum is ‘meticulously planned’, with knowledge ‘clearly mapped out’ and enriched by trips and ‘opportunity passports’.
- Reading is a ‘very high priority’, ensuring almost all pupils reach expected phonics standards by Year 1.
- Pupils ‘behave impeccably, with maturity, politeness and respect’, contributing to a ‘calm, happy and friendly environment’.
- Staff provide expert support for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), who ‘achieve extremely well’.
Areas to improve
- Local governance is ‘not as effective as it could be’, as governors ‘lack depth of knowledge’ to support leaders sufficiently.
- The trust must ensure governors access training to ‘support school leaders as effectively as possible’.
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 | 66% |
| 2023/24 | 71% |
| 2024/25 | 79% |
| 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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