St Mary's Church of England Primary School
Pulborough, RH20 2AN · West Sussex · primary school
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161st 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.
Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — 0.9/10 against 3,131 of them, against 1.4/10 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 | 39.0 · 8 | 40% | 0.30 |
| 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.
St Mary's Church of England Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 39.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared with 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 (0.9 out of 10 against similar schools, 1.4 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Good in November 2022.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils access an Early Birds Club for wraparound care. Sports include swimming, badminton, tag rugby, gymnastics, cross country, sailing and dance. Arts and music options cover ukulele, recorder, clarinet, African drumming and choir. Trips visit Bignor Roman Villa, Cobnor, PGL Marchant's Hill, The Weald and Christ's Hospital.
Getting in
The published school roll is 295 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 below the expected standard in maths? What specific steps are taken to raise attainment towards the higher standard? How does the Early Birds Club integrate with the main school day?
What Ofsted said about St Mary's Church of England Primary School
Overview
The report describes a school where the theme ‘only one you’ ensures pupils feel valued and part of the community. Leaders have a clear ambition for every pupil to achieve well, resulting in students who are ‘well prepared for their future’. The school is rated ‘Good’ across all inspection categories, marking an improvement from its previous rating.
Strengths
- Pupils ‘behave well at all times’, building relationships based on respect and trusting staff to handle incidents of bullying.
- Teachers possess ‘strong subject knowledge’ and use assessment effectively to identify pupils needing additional support.
- Pupils ‘read well and develop a love of books’, with staff providing effective phonics support and tailored help for those with special educational needs.
- The school offers ‘rich opportunities outside the classroom’, including forest school sessions and an eco-council that monitors energy use.
- Governors work closely with leaders, showing a ‘relentless commitment to continue to improve the school’ while considering staff well-being.
Areas to improve
- Leaders must ensure the curriculum review clarifies how learning builds from early years and meets the needs of pupils with SEND in individual subjects.
- Senior leaders should provide subject leaders with the necessary training and development to build their expertise in curriculum design.
- Leaders need to fully monitor participation levels for some pupil groups in after-school clubs to understand why some do not attend.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with staff well trained in identifying concerns and pupils knowledgeable about online risks and consent.
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 | 39% |
| 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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