Our Lady of Lourdes RC School, Brighton

In its own words: "Our Mission statement is centred on “Live, Love, Learn” and this theory was contributed to by governors, staff, parents and (most importantly) children."

From the headteacher's welcome: "We are a Catholic school but welcome applications from families of all religions and none. Situated in one of the prettiest villages in the South of England, our school has been established in its present building in Rottingdean since 1969. Our Lady of Lourdes is a school we are all proud of."

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

The school runs a breakfast club from 7:40am and after-school care.

Coming up: an open day on Thursday 26 November 2026 at 10am and an open day on Tuesday 5 January 2027. Check the school's website before you go, as dates can change.

In 2025, 74% of Year 6 pupils at Our Lady of Lourdes RC School reached the expected standard in reading and 52% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 75% and 69% in Brighton and Hove and 77% and 75% across England.

Results fell from 78% in reading and 81% in maths in 2024.

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

For September 2026 entry, 28 families put Our Lady of Lourdes RC School as their first choice and 118 named it as one of their preferences, for 30 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. 1 family who put it first was not offered a place there.

The nearest other state primary schools to Our Lady of Lourdes RC School are St Margaret's CofE Primary School, Rottingdean (0.2 miles, Good, 73% reading, 81% maths); Saltdean Primary School (0.9 miles, Good, 70% reading, 62% maths); Rudyard Kipling Primary School & Nursery (1.8 miles, Good, 67% reading, 61% maths); and Telscombe Cliffs Academy (2.1 miles, 69% reading, 70% maths).

Each of them had higher 2025 results than Our Lady of Lourdes RC School.

12.4% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 11.4% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (64%), Mixed (12%) and Asian (6%).

In 2026, 21 pupils (10%) received SEN support and 7 (3.3%) 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 autism.

The nearest railway station is Moulsecoomb Rail Station, about 3.8 miles away in a straight line.

10 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is The Green (nw-bound), 70 metres away.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood Our Lady of Lourdes RC School stands in is among the 20% least deprived neighbourhoods in England. On income deprivation affecting children it is in the 7th decile, where the 1st is the most deprived. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.

In August 2026, police recorded 42 crimes within a mile of the school, most often anti-social behaviour, violence and sexual offences and burglary. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Brighton and Hove (366).

In 2024/25, Our Lady of Lourdes RC School issued 1 suspension, 0.5 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.