Balfour Primary School, Brighton

In its own words: "At Balfour Primary School we strive for excellence in everything that we do, and our core values underpin our curriculum ensuring our pupils develop into well-rounded citizens embracing diversity and celebrating cultures from all over the world."

From the headteacher's welcome: "At Balfour Primary School we are committed to providing an inspiring learning experience and success for every member of our community. All our actions are rooted in a culture of warmth and kindness and contextualised by our local community and its links to the wider world."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include football, cricket, gymnastics, basketball, swimming, yoga, drama, art and cheerleading.

The school runs a breakfast club and after-school care.

In 2025, 87% of Year 6 pupils at Balfour Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 84% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 75% and 69% in Brighton and Hove and 77% and 75% across England.

Results rose from 82% in reading and 79% in maths in 2024.

For September 2026 entry, 119 families put Balfour Primary School as their first choice and 301 named it as one of their preferences, for 90 places offered. That is 1.3 first choices for every place. 29 families who put it first were not offered a place there.

The nearest other state primary schools to Balfour Primary School are St Bernadette's Catholic Primary School (0.5 miles, Good, 84% reading, 72% maths); Downs Junior School (0.6 miles, Good, 84% reading, 73% maths); Hertford Primary School (0.7 miles, Good, 69% reading, 56% maths); and Downs Infant School (0.7 miles, Outstanding).

Balfour Primary School's 2025 results were higher than all 3 of them.

10.6% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 8.6% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (75%) and Mixed (11%).

In 2026, 76 pupils (10.9%) received SEN support and 10 (1.4%) had an education, health and care plan, against 16.2% and 4.6% at the average state school. The most common need among them is autism.

The nearest railway station is Preston Park Rail Station, about 1110 metres away (roughly a 14-minute walk).

8 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Dorothy Stringer School Grounds (in), 220 metres away.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood Balfour Primary School stands in is among the 10% least deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.

In 2024/25, Balfour Primary School issued 7 suspensions, 1 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The secondary schools closest to Balfour Primary School are Varndean School (0.2 miles), Dorothy Stringer School (0.2 miles), Patcham High School (1 mile) and Cardinal Newman Catholic School (1.1 miles).