Polegate Primary School, Polegate

Outstanding
Primary
Community school
Mixed
Ages 211

Data last updated 11 Sept 2026

Location

Very likely (~1.2km)Possible (~1.8km)Unlikely (~2.3km)Confidence: high

Estimated admission likelihood based on school density and oversubscription data

Key Information

DfE GIAS
Head:Mrs Deborah Jones
Pupils:689 / 630 capacity
LA:East Sussex
Phone:01323482404
Address:Oakleaf Drive, East Sussex, Polegate, BN26 6PT
Admissions:Not applicable
Status:open

Ofsted Rating

Outstanding

Overall

URN:114435
UKPRN:10073239
Diocese:Not applicable
Constituency:Lewes
Urban/Rural:Urban: Nearer to a major town or city

Ofsted Insights

What This School Does Well

Polegate Primary creates a vibrant, caring environment where children flourish academically and emotionally. The school excels in English and has refined its maths teaching so pupils build strong mathematical knowledge. With high expectations, excellent behaviour, and strong pastoral support including an on-site swimming pool, your child will develop not just as a learner but as a confident, resilient young person.

Key Strengths

  • Pupils achieve well across the curriculum with high expectations and strong engagement in learning
  • Exemplary behaviour with a deeply ingrained culture of mutual respect and understanding throughout the school
  • Excellent pastoral support and well-being provision, including skilled staff helping pupils manage their feelings
  • Strong teaching in English, particularly writing, with expert support for pupils with SEND
  • Ambitious, well-considered curriculum with logical links between subjects and carefully sequenced learning

Areas for Improvement

  • In a couple of subjects, pupils do not fully understand key concepts, leading to weak recall over time
  • School does not analyse absence information in enough detail, potentially missing patterns of persistent absence

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with staff ensuring the school is a happy and secure place where pupils feel confident asking for help.

Extracurricular Activities

Music clubs, sports clubs, arts clubs, residential trips

Polegate Primary School has successfully maintained its outstanding standards from its previous inspection. The school is vibrant and friendly, with a strong vision of 'learning without limits' that shapes daily life for all pupils.

At a Glance

17.5%

Free School Meals

No

Boarding

Yes

Nursery

No

Sixth Form

No

Special Measures

What Parents Think

101 responses
Would recommend90%
Child is happy96%
Well taught89%
Good progress89%
Feels safe91%
Well behaved80%
Bullying dealt with30%
Kept informed92%
Handles concerns65%
Wider development79%

Source: Ofsted Parent View - % who strongly agree or agree

Primary Performance (KS2)

Academic year 2025/26

KS2 Results (% meeting expected standard)

2024
2025
Reading+1ppMaths+7ppWriting+5pp

Reading has remained stable at around 77%. Maths has improved from 66% to 73%. Writing has improved from 78% to 83%.

Class Sizes

28.5

Avg class size

30.1

Infant (KS1)

29.9

KS2

22

Total classes

3 classes with more than 30 pupils

2024/25 academic year

Getting There

Train Stations

Polegate Rail Station (Main entrance)
467m · 8 min walk

Bus Stops

Oakleaf Drive (just before)
147m · 2 min walk
Cresta Close (adj)
212m · 3 min walk
School Lane (adj)
231m · 4 min walk
High Street (opp)
272m · 4 min walk
Mapleleaf Gardens (adj)
342m · 6 min walk
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Capacity & Demand

School Occupancy

109%

Over capacity

689 pupils

630 capacity

59 places over capacity

Area Demand Pressure - Polegate

High pressure
New homes approved:87
Projected new pupils:22

Based on MHCLG housing supply data for Polegate

Admissions Demand - East Sussex

Low demand0.83x oversubscription

Places available

5,643

Applications

4,708

Got 1st preference

91.2%

Got preferred school

98.0%

Primary admissions across East Sussex (2025/26)

Inspection History(107)

Date not published by Ofsted
Outstanding
Date not published by Ofsted
Outstanding
Date not published by Ofsted
Outstanding

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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.

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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.

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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.

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School Funding

Annual funding per pupil, total budget, pupil premium grants, and how the school's resources compare to similar schools nationally.

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Pupil Absence
2024/25

5.03332%

Overall absence

10.43165%

Persistent absence

556

Enrolments

Authorised3.56062%
Unauthorised1.47269%
Persistent (10%+)10.43165%
Severe (50%+)1.25899%

Absence trend

2.89869%
18/19
2.61485%
20/21
4.15699%
21/22
4.48644%
22/23
4.81903%
23/24
5.03332%
24/25
Overall absence rate

Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.

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