Desmond Anderson Primary Academy, Crawley
Data last updated 11 Sept 2026
Location
Estimated admission likelihood based on school density and oversubscription data
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Overall
Ofsted Insights
What This School Does Well
This is an inclusive school where children love learning and feel genuinely cared for. The school excels at supporting pupils with additional needs and has a strong phonics programme that helps children become confident readers. Teachers have deep subject knowledge and provide enriching experiences through trips and clubs that extend learning beyond the classroom.
Key Strengths
- Excellent provision for pupils with SEND - individualised support with highly trained staff enabling ambitious learning goals
- Strong early reading programme using phonics, developing confident and fluent readers
- Ambitious, well-organised curriculum across all subjects with clear knowledge progression
- Inclusive atmosphere where all pupils feel safe, valued and eager to attend
- High-quality staff development and strong subject knowledge among teachers
Areas for Improvement
- Teachers need to check pupils' understanding more carefully before moving to new learning to identify and address knowledge gaps
- Grammar, punctuation, spelling and letter formation not taught consistently well, leading to variable quality in written work
- Staff need better training in teaching key writing skills
Safeguarding
Safeguarding arrangements are effective, with pupils feeling safe and confident about reporting concerns to adults.
Extracurricular Activities
singing club, art club, dance club, multi-sports club, trips to museums, theatres, art galleries and farms, residential trips
Desmond Anderson Primary Academy has successfully maintained the good standards from its previous inspection. The school provides an inclusive, welcoming environment where pupils are happy, well-behaved, and make good progress.
At a Glance
23.5%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
Yes
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder
SEN Provision
No
Special Measures
What Parents Think
85 responsesSource: Ofsted Parent View - % who strongly agree or agree
Primary Performance (KS2)
Academic year 2025/26KS2 Results (% meeting expected standard)
Reading has improved from 62% to 72%. Maths has improved from 55% to 68%. Writing has remained stable at around 71%.
Class Sizes
25.3
Avg class size
27.2
Infant (KS1)
28.0
KS2
13
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
99%
Near capacity
434 pupils
440 capacity
6 spare places available
Area Demand Pressure - Crawley
Based on MHCLG housing supply data for Crawley
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(102)
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
5.45856%
Overall absence
13.40782%
Persistent absence
358
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
Desmond Anderson Primary Academy
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