West Park CofE Primary (Controlled) School

West Park CofE Primary is recognized for its commitment to maintaining high standards since its last inspection, demonstrating a strong foundation of care and support for its pupils. The school fosters a positive learning environment where students are encouraged to shine and develop both academically and personally. Notably, the curriculum is ambitious and tailored to inspire learners, while staff consistently enforce high expectations in both behavior and academic achievement across various subjects. The school culture promotes safety, trust, and strong relationships, significantly contributing to the well-being and satisfaction of its pupils. However, there are areas identified for improvement, particularly within the mathematics curriculum, where some pupils are experiencing gaps in foundational knowledge. The school is aware of these issues and is encouraged to refine its approach to ensure that all students build on solid knowledge foundations moving forward. This is the first ungraded inspection for the school since its last inspection in December 2019, and the report reflects the school’s ongoing evolution in the post-pandemic educational landscape.

Strengths

• High levels of care and support for pupils
• Strong foundational learning in early years
• Ambitious and engaging curriculum
• Effective phonics instruction leading to improved reading
• Strong relationships and trust between pupils and staff
• Positive behavior management contributing to a calm school environment
• Wide range of opportunities for personal development
• Teachers exhibit good subject knowledge and high expectations

Areas for Improvement

• Gaps in foundational knowledge within the mathematics curriculum

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 West Park CofE Primary (Controlled) School attended 94.7% of sessions (the national figure for primary schools was 94.8%). 10.6% 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, 1.1% of pupils at West Park CofE Primary (Controlled) 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 West Park CofE Primary (Controlled) School had 20.5 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for primary schools was 20.7). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 21.8% 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, 13.6% of pupils at West Park CofE Primary (Controlled) School were on SEN support (nationally 15.4%) and 4.3% had an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 4.1%).

The school has resourced provision with 17 pupils.

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 West Park CofE Primary (Controlled) School received £6,762 and spent £6,753 for each of its 760 pupils. It ended the year with a deficit of £37,000 (-£48 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).

• Primary Schools
• Secondary Schools

All schools in Worthing · West Sussex local authority: places and applications

What is West Park CofE Primary (Controlled) School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for West Park CofE Primary (Controlled) School is Good, from an inspection in May 2025.

When was West Park CofE Primary (Controlled) School last inspected by Ofsted?

West Park CofE Primary (Controlled) School was last inspected in May 2025.

How many pupils does West Park CofE Primary (Controlled) School have?

West Park CofE Primary (Controlled) School has 760 pupils on roll.

What age range does West Park CofE Primary (Controlled) School cover?

West Park CofE Primary (Controlled) School for pupils aged 4 to 11.

What are West Park CofE Primary (Controlled) School's SATs (KS2) results?

In 2025, 65% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths.

Where is West Park CofE Primary (Controlled) School?

West Park CofE Primary (Controlled) School is at Marlborough Road, Worthing, West Sussex, BN12 4HD.