Waterfield Primary School
Crawley, RH11 8RA · West Sussex · primary school
Check the area around this school
163rd 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 — 4.3/10 against 2,391 of them, against 3.8/10 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 | 63.0 · 46 | 40% | 1.85 |
| Ofsted | 8 | 35% | 0.30 |
| 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.
Waterfield Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 63.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. 2.0% reached the higher standard, against a national median of 7%. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (4.3 out of 10 against similar schools, 3.8 out of 10 against all schools). The school was inspected in May 2026 under the new report-card framework, which grades each area separately and gives no overall grade.
Getting in
The published school roll is 404 pupils against a stated capacity of 472. 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 reaching the higher standard in core subjects? What specific areas did the May 2026 inspection highlight for improvement?
What Ofsted said about Waterfield Primary School
Overview
Waterfield Primary School provides a high-quality education where pupils feel safe, valued, and ready to learn. The report highlights a "positive and deeply embedded culture of inclusion" and effective support for vulnerable pupils, though attendance remains below national averages.
Strengths
- Leaders have established a "positive and deeply embedded culture of inclusion," with staff identifying needs early and providing "consistently effective provision" for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).
- The curriculum is "well-organised" with "careful sequencing" that helps pupils build knowledge securely, leading to recent improvements in subjects such as science and art.
- Pupils benefit from a "calm, nurturing environment" where they behave respectfully, bullying is rare, and they develop strong social and emotional skills through a coherent personal development programme.
- Staff provide "targeted support" that quickly addresses gaps in basic knowledge, enabling pupils to access the curriculum with increasing success.
Areas to improve
- Leaders must ensure attendance strategies are sustained and refined to improve pupils' attendance and punctuality, which currently remain below the national average.
- In a small number of subjects, leaders need to identify the most important knowledge pupils need to acquire with greater precision.
Safeguarding
The safeguarding standards are met, with leaders establishing an "open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility" and concerns are actively identified and managed.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 58% |
| 2023/24 | 65% |
| 2024/25 | 63% |
| 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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