Drive Preparatory School has closed (Tuesday 9 June 2026).
The information below is kept for reference.
Drive Preparatory School, Hove
Drive Preparatory School is an independent school for pupils aged 7 to 16 in Hove.
Data last updated 8 Oct 2026
Drive Preparatory School in detail
Results
The Department for Education's GCSE measures do not count IGCSEs, which many independent schools take instead of GCSEs, so the Attainment 8 and English and maths figures it publishes for Drive Preparatory School can understate its results. We do not rank or compare them; ask the school for its own GCSE and IGCSE results.
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other independent schools to Drive Preparatory School are The Montessori Place (0.4 miles, Outstanding); Lancing College Preparatory School At Hove (0.6 miles); St Christopher's School (0.7 miles); and Windlesham School (0.8 miles).
The Montessori PlaceLancing College Preparatory School At HoveSt Christopher's SchoolWindlesham School
What parents say
17 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Drive Preparatory School (as of September 2025): 77% would recommend the school, 71% say their child is happy there and 67% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.
The strongest agreement was that they would recommend the school (77%); the weakest, that the school has high expectations for their child (59%).
Getting there
The nearest railway station is Hove Rail Station, about 160 metres away (roughly a 2-minute walk).
12 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Hove Railway Station (n-bound), 200 metres away.
Sources: DfE school performance data (averages: state mainstream schools); Ofsted Parent View; NaPTAN (Department for Transport)
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 1 year agoOverall
Ofsted Insights
From Ofsted's May 2025 inspection report.
What This School Does Well
The school provides a warm, nurturing environment where pupils develop trusting relationships with staff and benefit from focused individual attention. However, serious weaknesses in safeguarding, building safety, and curriculum quality mean parents should be aware of significant concerns about their child's safety and education.
Key Strengths
- Pupils enjoy positive relationships with staff and peers in a small, family-feel environment
- Most pupils listen and pay attention in lessons
- Small class sizes allow focused adult support for pupils who struggle with behaviour
Areas for Improvement
- Safeguarding arrangements are not effective and pupils are at risk of harm
- Building is in poor repair with serious fire safety concerns not addressed
- Curriculum is not logically ordered and pupils do not build on prior learning
- Phonics teaching is inconsistent and pupils do not learn to read well
- PSHE and relationships education teaching does not meet legal requirements
Safeguarding
Safeguarding arrangements are not effective - the school has not completed required vetting checks on staff, does not always recognise serious concerns, and has left pupils at risk of harm.
Extracurricular Activities
Community trips to practise life skills such as accessing public transport, enrichment clubs, careers guidance for Year 10-11 pupils
Drive Preparatory School has been rated Inadequate overall. The school fails to prioritise pupil safety and well-being, with ineffective safeguarding arrangements that have left pupils at risk of harm.
At a Glance
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
What Parents Think
17 responsesSource: Ofsted Parent View, responses as at September 2025 - % who strongly agree or agree
Secondary Performance (GCSE)
The Department for Education's GCSE measures do not count IGCSEs, which many independent schools take instead of GCSEs, so the Attainment 8 and English and maths figures it publishes for Drive Preparatory School can understate its results. We do not rank or compare them; ask the school for its own GCSE and IGCSE results.
GCSE Subjects Offered
2024/25 academic year - entries by number of pupils
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 3 nearby all-through schools
Keep up with Drive Preparatory School
Before and after school care
Clubs on Ofsted's childcare register at or near Drive Preparatory School.
- The Skate Club - St Andrew's700m away · Not yet graded
- Starfish Kids Holiday Club @ St Andrews Primary School700m away · Not yet graded
- LingoClub Holiday Clubs750m away · Not yet graded
- LingoClub BPS840m away · Not yet graded
- Starfish Kids Club @ Cottesmore940m away · Not yet graded
- The Outdoors Project Lancing Prep Hove970m away · Not yet graded
Getting There
Train Stations
Bus Stops
Commute and house prices
Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
44%
Available places
35 pupils
80 places
45 spare places
as recorded on GIAS
Area Demand Pressure - Hove
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Hove
Across Brighton and Hove council
Places available
2,515
Applications
2,154
Got 1st preference
82.9%
Got preferred school
98.3%
All secondary applications across Brighton and Hove council (2026/27), not just this school.
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
0
SEN Support
0
EHC Plans
-%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Pupils by Need Type
No need-level breakdown available
Pupil Demographics
Key Indicators
0
Total Pupils
0
Boys
0
Girls
2026 academic year
Questions parents ask about Drive Preparatory School
What are GCSE results like at Drive Preparatory School?
The Department for Education's GCSE measures do not count IGCSEs, which many independent schools take instead of GCSEs, so the Attainment 8 and English and maths figures it publishes for Drive Preparatory School can understate its results. We do not rank or compare them; ask the school for its own GCSE and IGCSE results.
How do I apply to Drive Preparatory School?
Drive Preparatory School is an independent school and runs its own admissions rather than going through the local authority. Contact the school directly for entry requirements, assessment dates, fees and any bursaries.
Does Drive Preparatory School have a breakfast club or after-school club?
Ofsted's childcare register lists 6 out-of-school clubs within a kilometre of Drive Preparatory School: The Skate Club - St Andrew's (700m away, registered, not yet graded), Starfish Kids Holiday Club @ St Andrews Primary School (700m away, registered, not yet graded) and LingoClub Holiday Clubs (750m away, registered, not yet graded). The school may also run its own clubs, which don't have to register with Ofsted.
Where is Drive Preparatory School?
Drive Preparatory School is at 101 The Drive, Hove, East Sussex, BN3 6GE.