St Mary's Church of England Primary School, Pulborough

Ofsted's report card from its 15 September 2026 inspection grades St Mary's Church of England Primary School on 7 areas: 1 strong standard, 5 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.

Personal development and wellbeing - Strong standard. "Leaders use an ambitious and highly effective personal development and wellbeing programme that aligns closely with the school's vision."

Attendance and behaviour - Expected standard. "Leaders take effective action to make sure pupils attend school regularly."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Leaders have a clear and accurate understanding of the curriculum's strengths and areas for development."

Early years - Expected standard. "Leaders are determined to give children in the early years a positive start to their education."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "Leaders know pupils and their families well."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders, governors and staff share a clear vision for the school, balancing an accurate understanding of its current strengths and what needs further work."

Achievement - Needs attention. "Over time, pupils' achievement has not been high enough."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should continue their focus on improving the published outcomes at key stage 2 so pupils are sufficiently well prepared for secondary school"; "Leaders should maintain a sharp focus on attendance to ensure pupils' attendance continues to improve and persistent absence reduces further"; "Leaders should strengthen the use of assessment so staff identify pupils' gaps in knowledge and use this information to inform future teaching".

In its own words: "We treasure each child and enable them to flourish, using their God-given potential, establishing a secure foundation for them to thrive in a rapidly changing world. We are a ‘Christ-centred school, with a child-centred curriculum’ where wisdom and love"

From the headteacher's welcome: "We are dedicated to our vision statement of ' We treasure each child and enable them to flourish, uisng their God-given potential and establishing a secure foundation for them to thrive in a rapidly changing world."

The school runs after-school care.

On phones, the school says: "If your child brings their phone into school, this must be kept in their bag until they return to their classroom."

Coming up: an open day on Thursday 10 June 2027. Check the school's website before you go, as dates can change.

In 2025, 58% of Year 6 pupils at St Mary's Church of England Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 56% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 76% and 72% in West Sussex and 77% and 75% across England.

Results fell from 80% in reading and 73% in maths in 2024.

For September 2026 entry, 30 families put St Mary's Church of England Primary School as their first choice and 50 named it as one of their preferences, for 31 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 St Mary's Church of England Primary School are West Chiltington Community Primary School (2.3 miles, Good, 68% reading, 60% maths); St James' CofE Primary School, Coldwaltham (2.4 miles, Good, 80% reading, 40% maths); Fittleworth CofE Village School (2.6 miles, Good, 58% reading, 53% maths); and Storrington Primary School (3.3 miles, Good, 74% reading, 68% maths).

St Mary's Church of England Primary School's 2025 results were higher than 1 of these 4 schools.

3.4% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (82%) and Mixed (5%).

St Mary's Church of England Primary School had 21 teachers in 2026, one for every 15 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical primary school, at about one for every 20.

The nearest railway station is Pulborough Rail Station, about 1170 metres away (roughly a 15-minute walk).

13 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Link Lane (e-bound), 10 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 44 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and shoplifting. That is well below the typical figure around schools in West Sussex (103).

In 2024/25, St Mary's Church of England Primary School issued 11 suspensions, 3.5 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.