St Margaret's CofE Primary School, Rottingdean
Brighton, BN2 7HB · Brighton and Hove · primary school
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8th 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.
Narrow the comparison to the 4,152 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 4.9/10 among them, against 5.4/10 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 | 65.0 · 52 | 40% | 2.07 |
| 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.
St Margaret's CofE Primary School, Rottingdean overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 65.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. For the higher standard, the figure was 8.0%, against a national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school Good in June 2025. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 4.9 out of 10 among them, against 5.4 out of 10 nationally.
Getting in
The published school roll is 172 pupils against a stated capacity of 210. 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 not meeting the expected standard in maths? What specific steps are taken to raise attainment in the higher standard? How does the school maintain its Good rating following the recent inspection?
What Ofsted said about St Margaret's CofE Primary School, Rottingdean
Overview
This ungraded inspection confirms that St Margaret’s CofE Primary School has “taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at the previous inspection.” The school continues to provide a “warm and nurturing” environment where pupils are “eager to do their best” and feel “safe and valued.” Leaders and staff demonstrate strong collaboration, ensuring high ambitions for academic achievement alongside careful attention to pupil well-being.
Strengths
- The school offers a “stimulating outdoor environment” that supports “adventurous and imaginative play,” helping pupils develop motor skills and risk assessment.
- Staff foster “warm and respectful relationships,” creating a calm, orderly atmosphere where bullying is “rare” and families feel supported.
- The curriculum is “well-sequenced and ambitious” in most subjects, with clear knowledge progression and cross-curricular application.
- Phonics teaching is robust; staff “consistently model phonics and blending well,” ensuring pupils become “confident and fluent readers.”
- Attendance is treated as “everyone’s responsibility,” with effective support for families leading to improved outcomes.
Areas to improve
- In some lessons, tasks are “not well matched to what pupils know and understand” or are “not closely aligned with what pupils are expected to learn.”
- The school must ensure activities “better align with the aims of the curriculum” and build on existing knowledge so pupils can “deepen their understanding effectively.”
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 | 67% |
| 2023/24 | 63% |
| 2024/25 | 65% |
| 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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