Coldean Primary School, Brighton

Ofsted's report card from its 9 September 2026 inspection grades Coldean Primary School on 7 areas: 2 strong standard and 5 expected standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Curriculum and teaching - Strong standard. "Leaders have established an ambitious, well-sequenced curriculum that helps pupils build secure knowledge and skills over time."

Early years - Strong standard. "The early years curriculum is precisely planned to enable children to progress well."

Achievement - Expected standard. "Overall, pupils are prepared for the next stage of education."

Attendance and behaviour - Expected standard. "Attendance remains below national averages, but it is improving because of leaders' effective actions."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "Leaders have created an effective culture of inclusion, ensuring that pupils with additional needs and disadvantaged pupils are identified early and supported effectively."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders work purposefully to raise aspirations for what pupils can achieve."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "Leaders have established a well-planned programme that reflects the needs of the school community and supports pupils' personal, social and emotional development."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should continue their approach to attendance to positively impact the attendance of pupils who persistently miss out on periods of their education, particularly those who are disadvantaged"; "Leaders should continue to embed robust assessment systems to enable teachers to identify and address gaps in learning, so that pupils can achieve as well as possible across the curriculum"; "Leaders should evaluate the impact of the school's personal development and wellbeing offer by tracking participation more systematically".

In its own words: "At Coldean Primary School we are extremely proud of all of the staff’s commitment to ensure that the children within our care receive quality provision. We recognise the importance of educating the whole child, building on their strengths and celebrating individual’s achievements."

The school runs a breakfast club, from £2.50 per day.

In 2025, 66% of Year 6 pupils at Coldean Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 61% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 75% and 69% in Brighton and Hove and 77% and 75% across England.

Results were similar in 2024 (71% in reading, 59% in maths).

For September 2026 entry, 34 families put Coldean Primary School as their first choice and 64 named it as one of their preferences, for 36 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 Coldean Primary School are Carden Nursery and Primary School (0.7 miles, Good, 67% reading, 55% maths); Moulsecoomb Primary School (1 mile, 73% reading, 54% maths); Hertford Primary School (1.3 miles, Good, 69% reading, 56% maths); and Patcham Junior School (1.4 miles, Good, 83% reading, 79% maths).

Coldean Primary School's 2025 results were higher than 2 of these 4 schools.

47.9% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 97 pupils (31.4%) received SEN support and 5 (1.6%) 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 social, emotional and mental health needs.

The nearest railway station is Falmer Rail Station, about 1.1 miles away in a straight line.

12 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Varley Park (opposite), 200 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 137 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and public order offences. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Brighton and Hove (366).

In 2024/25, Coldean Primary School issued 9 suspensions, 2.8 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The secondary schools closest to Coldean Primary School are Brighton Aldridge Community Academy (0.9 miles) and Patcham High School (1.4 miles).