Blackthorns Community Primary School, Haywards Heath
Data last updated 11 Sept 2026
Location
Estimated admission likelihood based on school density and oversubscription data
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 1 year agoOverall
Ofsted Insights
What This School Does Well
Blackthorns is a welcoming, nurturing school where children feel safe and cared for. Reading is a real strength - the school uses expert phonics teaching and helps all children develop a love of reading. The school also does excellent work helping pupils understand respect, diversity and how to stay safe, preparing them to be thoughtful members of society.
Key Strengths
- Excellent phonics and early reading teaching - Year 1 phonics results well above national average, with quick identification and targeted support for struggling readers
- Strong personal development and well-being - pupils learn about diversity, healthy relationships, online safety and mental health
- Pupils are happy, feel safe, and have positive relationships with staff
- Ambitious curriculum designed for all pupils including those with SEND
- Effective governance and trust support
Areas for Improvement
- Some pupils do not retain important subject content because teachers do not always explain clearly what they need to learn and remember over time
- Teachers need better training to adapt their approach for pupils with SEND so these pupils can access the curriculum and build confidence
- Inconsistent behaviour expectations across the school - some pupils do not listen or concentrate well in lessons, and staff approaches are not always effective
Safeguarding
Safeguarding arrangements are effective.
Extracurricular Activities
Eco-committee, sports leaders, house captains, school council, forest school activities, Christmas fayre
Blackthorns Community Primary Academy is a happy, safe school where pupils enjoy strong relationships with staff and value the school's focus on determination, respect, kindness, independence and teamwork. However, some aspects of the school's work may not be as strong as at the previous outstanding inspection, and there is further work needed to ensure pupils are learning and remembering essential knowledge across the curriculum.
At a Glance
3.0%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
What Parents Think
72 responsesSource: Ofsted Parent View - % who strongly agree or agree
Primary Performance (KS2)
Academic year 2025/26KS2 Results (% meeting expected standard)
Reading has improved from 83% to 93%. Maths has improved from 73% to 93%. Writing has improved from 73% to 77%.
Class Sizes
30.2
Avg class size
30.3
Infant (KS1)
30.0
KS2
5
Total classes
1 class with more than 30 pupils
2024/25 academic year
Getting There
Bus Stops
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Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
97%
Near capacity
203 pupils
210 capacity
7 spare places available
Area Demand Pressure - Haywards Heath
Based on MHCLG housing supply data for Haywards Heath
Admissions Demand - West Sussex
Places available
9,817
Applications
8,398
Got 1st preference
91.7%
Got preferred school
98.8%
Primary admissions across West Sussex (2025/26)
Inspection History(3)
House Prices
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SEN Provision
How many pupils have special educational needs, what types of support the school provides, and how it compares to similar schools.
Pupil Demographics
The school's pupil mix - ethnicity breakdown, free school meals eligibility, and English as an additional language. Useful context when evaluating school fit.
Teachers & Staff
Teacher qualification rates, pupil-to-teacher ratio, staff turnover, and salary data. Shows how well-resourced and stable the school's workforce is.
School Funding
Annual funding per pupil, total budget, pupil premium grants, and how the school's resources compare to similar schools nationally.
Pupil Absence2024/25
3.21705%
Overall absence
4.3956%
Persistent absence
182
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
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Secondary Schools Nearby
Secondary schools pupils are likely to move to
Blackthorns Community Primary School
Nearby Schools
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