Ferring C of E Primary School, Worthing

Ofsted's report card from its 22 September 2026 inspection grades Ferring C of E Primary School on 7 areas: 6 expected standard and 1 needs attention. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Achievement - Expected standard. "Pupils typically achieve well."

Attendance and behaviour - Expected standard. "Attendance is broadly in line with the national average."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "School leaders have a sharp understanding of the quality of the curriculum and teaching, and have successfully strengthened both."

Early years - Expected standard. "Leaders are ambitious for children and have recently strengthened the early years so that the provision reflects their aspiration."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders understand the school's strengths and identify appropriate areas for improvement."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "The personal development and wellbeing programme is planned carefully and linked to the school's values of love, hope and joy."

Inclusion - Needs attention. "Leaders have recently introduced systems to identify, assess and meet pupils' needs."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should continue to strengthen inclusion so that strategies to identify needs and barriers are implemented consistently and their impact on pupils systematically evaluated"; "Leaders should strengthen the consistency of teaching across key stage 1, ensuring that teaching builds effectively on pupils' prior learning and that practice consistently enables pupils to develop secure knowledge and make strong progress".

From the headteacher's welcome: "It is a privilege to lead such a caring, ambitious and vibrant school community, where every child is known, valued and encouraged to flourish. At Ferring, we believe that childhood should be filled with curiosity, challenge, friendship and joy, providing children with the confidence to embrace opportunities and the resilience to overcome challenges."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include football, netball, dance, chess and STEM.

In 2025, 70% of Year 6 pupils at Ferring C of E Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 74% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 76% and 72% in West Sussex and 77% and 75% across England.

Results rose from 63% in reading and 54% in maths in 2024.

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

For September 2026 entry, 36 families put Ferring C of E Primary School as their first choice and 90 named it as one of their preferences, for 30 places offered. That is 1.2 first choices for every place. 6 families who put it first were not offered a place there.

The nearest other state primary schools to Ferring C of E Primary School are Goring-By-Sea CofE (Aided) Primary School (1 mile, Good, 84% reading, 79% maths); West Park CofE Primary (Controlled) School (1.2 miles, Good, 81% reading, 71% maths); The Laurels Primary School, Worthing (1.3 miles, Good, 70% reading, 48% maths); and Orchards Infant School (1.3 miles).

Ferring C of E Primary School's 2025 results were higher than 1 of these 3 schools.

12.4% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 7.7% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 21 pupils (12.4%) received SEN support and 5 (3%) 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.

The nearest railway station is Goring-by-Sea Rail Station, about 820 metres away (roughly a 10-minute walk).

11 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Sea Lane (adjacent), 80 metres away.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood Ferring C of E Primary School stands in is among the 20% least deprived neighbourhoods in England. On income deprivation affecting children it is in the 6th decile, where the 1st is the most deprived. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.

Ferring C of E Primary School recorded no suspensions or permanent exclusions in 2024/25.

The secondary schools closest to Ferring C of E Primary School are St Oscar Romero Catholic School (0.4 miles) and The Angmering School (1.8 miles).