Churchwood Primary School, St Leonards-on-Sea

From the headteacher's welcome: "It is a privilege to lead such a vibrant, caring and ambitious school community. As a proud member of the Pioneer Academy Trust , we are committed to providing the highest quality education and ensuring that every child is supported to achieve their very best."

The school runs after-school care.

In 2025, 68% of Year 6 pupils at Churchwood Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 46% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 76% and 72% in East Sussex and 77% and 75% across England.

Results rose from 55% in reading and 41% in maths in 2024.

With small year groups, a few pupils can move these figures by several points.

For September 2026 entry, 16 families put Churchwood Primary School as their first choice and 44 named it as one of their preferences, for 20 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state primary schools to Churchwood Primary School are Hollington Primary School (0.5 miles, 55% reading, 47% maths); Robsack Wood Primary School (0.6 miles, Good, 70% reading, 76% maths); Mulberry Silverdale Primary (0.8 miles, Good, 70% reading, 74% maths); and Ark Little Ridge Primary Academy (1 mile, Outstanding, 84% reading, 79% maths).

Churchwood Primary School's 2025 results were higher than 1 of these 4 schools.

Churchwood Primary School is one of 23 schools run by The Pioneer Academy, an academy trust.

Across the trust's primary schools, 67% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths in 2024/25.

41.1% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), and 5% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (85%) and Mixed (6%).

In 2026, 74 pupils (30.7%) received SEN support and 12 (5%) 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 speech, language and communication needs.

Churchwood Primary School has a SEN unit for autism: 8 places, 7 pupils on roll.

The nearest railway station is West St Leonards Rail Station, about 1.5 miles away in a straight line.

10 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Surgery (opposite), 140 metres away.

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

In August 2026, police recorded 192 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and criminal damage and arson. That is well above the typical figure around schools in East Sussex (65), as is usual near a town centre.

In 2024/25, Churchwood Primary School issued 25 suspensions, 10.3 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The secondary schools closest to Churchwood Primary School are Mulberry Academy St Leonards (1.3 miles), Ark Alexandra Academy (1.4 miles) and Lansdowne Children's Centre (1.7 miles).