Southover CofE Primary School, Lewes

From the headteacher's welcome: "I am delighted to be headteacher of our wonderful school. We are a successful school thanks to the community of children, staff, parents, governors and church who work together to give each other a chance to 'live, love and learn'. We offer academic excellence alongside an all-round education where sports, music and art are celebrated."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include ballet and drama.

The school runs a breakfast club and after-school care.

Coming up: an open day on Monday 2 November 2026. Check the school's website before you go, as dates can change.

In 2025, 77% of Year 6 pupils at Southover CofE Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 60% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 76% and 72% in East Sussex and 77% and 75% across England.

Results fell from 77% in reading and 73% in maths in 2024.

For September 2026 entry, 32 families put Southover CofE Primary School as their first choice and 70 named it as one of their preferences, for 33 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state primary schools to Southover CofE Primary School are Western Road Community Primary School (under 0.1 miles, Good, 90% reading, 77% maths); Wallands Community Primary and Nursery School (0.8 miles, Good, 65% reading, 67% maths); South Malling CofE Primary and Nursery School (1 mile, Good, 90% reading, 73% maths); and Iford and Kingston Church of England Primary School (1.3 miles, Good, 81% reading, 81% maths).

Southover CofE Primary School's 2025 results were higher than 1 of these 4 schools.

6.3% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (78%) and Mixed (8%).

In 2026, 61 pupils (21.2%) received SEN support and 5 (1.7%) 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.

Southover CofE Primary School had 20 teachers in 2026, one for every 14 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical primary school, at about one for every 20.

The nearest railway station is Lewes Rail Station, about 500 metres away (roughly a 6-minute walk).

6 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is The Kings Head (adjacent), 180 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 135 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and shoplifting. That is well above the typical figure around schools in East Sussex (65), as is usual near a town centre.

In 2024/25, Southover CofE Primary School issued 5 suspensions, 1.9 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.