Varndean School
Brighton, BN1 6NP · Brighton and Hove · secondary school
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3rd of 10 secondary schools in Brighton and Hove we can score. 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 — 9.1/10 against 910 of them, against 8.5/10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.84 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 67.9 · 89 | 30% | 2.67 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.42 · 80 | 25% | 2.00 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 54.7 · 84 | 10% | 0.84 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Varndean School overview
How it's doing
Varndean is rated Good by Ofsted following an inspection in 2022. In 2024/25, 55.9% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 48.8, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.42 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did better than those nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (8.4 out of 10 against similar schools, 7.6 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join the Duke of Edinburgh award and participate in dance.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,487 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,500. 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 maintain the progress seen in the 2023/24 data? What specific support is available for students aiming to improve their Attainment 8 scores? How are the 13 remaining places allocated for the next academic year?
What Ofsted said about Varndean School
Overview
Varndean School is described as being on a mission to achieve ‘world-class’ education, with inspirational leaders rapidly transforming the institution. Pupils achieve extremely well in most subjects and are ‘incredibly proud’ of their school, benefiting from exceptionally strong pastoral care and a culture that celebrates diversity.
Strengths
- ‘Pastoral care is exceptionally strong’, ensuring pupils in this large school feel ‘known and individually cared for’.
- ‘Behaviour is excellent’, with pupils showing ‘unwaveringly strong respect for others’ and zero tolerance for bullying.
- Staff are ‘real experts in their subjects’, using precise questioning to stretch pupils’ knowledge and deliver high standards of work.
- Support for disadvantaged pupils and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) is prioritised, with early identification and effective adaptations.
- Pupils are ‘very well prepared for their next steps in life’, supported by excellent careers advice and a wide variety of extra-curricular activities.
Areas to improve
- Leaders must continue work to ensure ‘all subject curriculum planning is as consistently strong as the best’, addressing isolated examples where past planning was less coherent.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with staff carrying out responsibilities diligently and pupils taught a ‘strong, age-appropriate understanding of consent’.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 53.5 |
| 2024/25 | 48.8 |
| 2025/26 | 54.7 |
| England | 44.9 |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 3,682 state schools in England we hold a 2025/26 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
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2026
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2027
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2027
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2028
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