Coldean Primary School

Coldean Primary School is a caring, inclusive school where pupils feel safe and know they belong. Inspectors found an ambitious, well-sequenced curriculum and consistently effective teaching, with reading and phonics a clear priority. Early years provision is particularly strong, and children are well prepared for Year 1. Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities and disadvantaged pupils are identified early and supported well, behaviour is positive, and safeguarding standards are met. Outcomes are generally in line with expectations but not yet consistently strong. Reading and writing at key stage 2 are typically close to national averages, while mathematics is below national and leaders know further work is needed. Attendance, although improving because of effective action, remains below national averages and persistent absence is above average, particularly for some disadvantaged pupils. A small number of pupils lack foundational writing skills, and assessment and personal-development tracking need further development. Leadership and governance are secure, staff feel supported, and the wider ‘Coldean 50’ offer enriches pupils’ experiences. The school has a clear understanding of its priorities and is taking appropriate action, but continued focus is needed on attendance, mathematics, writing foundations, assessment, and systematic evaluation of personal development.

Strengths

• Ambitious, well-sequenced curriculum that builds knowledge and skills over time
• Consistently effective teaching with secure subject knowledge and high expectations
• Strong focus on reading and structured phonics and early reading
• Skilful writing teaching across the curriculum
• Effective use of assessment to identify and address gaps in learning
• Targeted support and planned adaptations for pupils with SEND
• Strong early years provision with precise planning and positive adult-child interactions
• Effective inclusion culture with early identification and support for disadvantaged pupils
• Calm, orderly behaviour and positive attitudes to learning
• Wide enrichment offer, including the ‘Coldean 50’, clubs and trips
• Secure leadership and governance with constructive challenge and staff development
• Safeguarding standards are met and pupils feel safe

Areas for Improvement

• Attendance remains below national averages, with persistent absence above national
• Disadvantaged pupils who persistently miss school need continued targeted support
• Mathematics outcomes are below national averages and remain a priority
• A small number of pupils lack the foundational writing skills they need
• Assessment systems need further embedding to identify and address gaps across the curriculum
• Participation in the personal development and wellbeing offer is not tracked systematically
• Pupils’ understanding of some aspects of British values and relationships education needs deepening

Admissions: local authority offers data from the Department for Education. A school is oversubscribed when at least 5% of the families who put it first were not offered a place, and undersubscribed when everyone who put it first got in but 10% or more of its places were unfilled in the Department's school capacity survey (the latest survey is used for entry years it does not cover). Places: Department for Education, School capacity, from local authorities' annual survey as at 1 May. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024–25); the survey was not run in 2020. Places include sixth form places. Forecasts are the local authority's own for the school's planning area, an area it uses to plan places that is not the school's catchment area. The forecast starts from a head count in 2025; the dashed line is the Department's estimate of places in that area, including those the authority has firm plans for. Planned places are cumulative, and only those with firm plans are counted.

In 2024–25 pupils at Coldean Primary School attended 92.6% of sessions (the national figure for primary schools was 94.8%). 23.8% of pupils were persistently absent, missing at least one session in ten (nationally 13.0%).

Sessions missed

Pupils persistently absent

Source: Department for Education, Pupil absence in schools in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). Persistent absence means missing 10% or more of sessions; severe absence means 50% or more. No figures were published for 2019/20.

In 2024–25, 1.2% of pupils at Coldean Primary School were suspended at least once (nationally 1.1%). No pupils were permanently excluded.

Pupils suspended at least once

Source: Department for Education, Suspensions and permanent exclusions in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). A pupil can be suspended more than once, so suspensions per 100 pupils can be higher than the share of pupils suspended. Very small numbers are hidden by the DfE. Exclusion figures dropped in 2020 and 2021 because of school closures.

In 2025–26 Coldean Primary School had 22.6 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for primary schools was 20.7). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 15.8% were no longer at the school a year later (nationally 15.7%).

Pupils per teacher

Teachers who left the school within a year

Source: Department for Education, School workforce in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). Pupils per teacher counts full-time-equivalent pupils and teachers. Turnover is the share of a year's teachers (full-time equivalent) who were not at the school the following year, whether they moved to another school or left state-funded teaching. Turnover and sickness figures run one year behind the ratios. Sick leave is the share of teachers who took at least one day in the year, so it swings widely at small schools, where a few teachers can make it 0% or 100%. The national figures are for all state schools of the same type.

In 2025–26, 31.4% of pupils at Coldean Primary School were on SEN support (nationally 15.4%) and 1.6% had an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 4.1%).

Pupils by main type of need

Source: Department for Education, Special educational needs in England (the 2025–26 school census). SEN support is extra help in school without an EHC plan. National figures are for all state-funded primary schools. Counts are as published, with small numbers not hidden.

In 2025–26 Coldean Primary School received £7,828 and spent £7,681 for each of its 304 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £16,000 (£54 per pupil).

Income per pupil

Spending per pupil

Source: Department for Education, Financial Benchmarking and Insights Tool. Each year is the one the financial year ends in (2024 is 2023–24).

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• Secondary Schools

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What is Coldean Primary School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Coldean Primary School is Expected standard, from an inspection in October 2026.

When was Coldean Primary School last inspected by Ofsted?

Coldean Primary School was last inspected in October 2026.

How many pupils does Coldean Primary School have?

Coldean Primary School has 309 pupils on roll.

What age range does Coldean Primary School cover?

Coldean Primary School for pupils aged 3 to 11.

What are Coldean Primary School's SATs (KS2) results?

In 2025, 46% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths.

Where is Coldean Primary School?

Coldean Primary School is at Kenwards, Coldean, Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 9EN.