Ofsted: Good trending_up Places Available emoji_events #87 in East Sussex public Top 60% UK

Southover CofE Primary School

verifiedData: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

personMr Noel Fadden

location_onLewes, BN7 1JP

language Visit Website phone 1273473015

verified

Ofsted

Good

Inspected 2018

groups

Students

309

school

Expected Standard

60%

local_fire_department

Demand Ratio

0.8x

summarize

Southover CofE Primary School is a Voluntary controlled school primary school in Lewes, serving ages 4-11. Rated Good by Ofsted. Ranks in the top 60% of primary schools nationally.

article

School Summary

Southover CofE Primary School is a voluntary controlled school in Lewes, East Sussex, admitting pupils aged 4-11. The school has approximately 270 pupils on roll, of whom 18% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2025, 60% of pupils met the expected standard in Reading, Writing and Maths combined, with 23% achieving the higher standard. The school ranks #87 of 129 primaries in East Sussex and #10,221 of 14,143 nationally.

Ofsted last inspected the school in 2018. The school's current overall rating is Good.

In the most recent admissions cycle, applications were at 0.8× capacity.

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 22.0:1. There are no current teaching vacancies.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there were no permanent exclusions. The average suspension rate was 0.4 per 1,000 pupils per term.

verified Source: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

Academic Performance

verified Data: UK Gov 2024/25

school

Primary Performance Trends (KS2)

2025

R/W/M Expected Standard

60%

LA 58%

Reading77% LA 72%

Writing70% LA 69%

Maths60% LA 68%

Read SS

110

Maths SS

104

GPS SS

107

Progress (0 = national avg)

Read

Write

Maths

2024

R/W/M Expected Standard

65%

LA 56%England 61%

Reading77% LA 71% · Eng 74%

Writing82% LA 69% · Eng 72%

Maths73% LA 68% · Eng 73%

Read SS

106

Maths SS

104

GPS SS

107

Progress (0 = national avg)

Read

Write

Maths

2023

R/W/M Expected Standard

63%

LA 55%England 60%

Reading85% LA 70% · Eng 73%

Writing75% LA 68% · Eng 71%

Maths71% LA 66% · Eng 73%

Read SS

108

Maths SS

105

GPS SS

105

Progress (0 = national avg)

2.5

Read

LA -0.9

0.6 to 4.3

0.2

Write

LA -1.5

-1.6 to 1.9

-0.4

Maths

LA -2.0

-2.1 to 1.4

2019

R/W/M Expected Standard

66%

LA 63%England 65%

Reading80% LA 72% · Eng 73%

Writing83% LA 78% · Eng 78%

Maths78% LA 74% · Eng 79%

Read SS

107

Maths SS

106

GPS SS

106

Progress (0 = national avg)

2.7

Read

LA -0.4

1.1 to 4.3

0.5

Write

LA -0.7

-1.0 to 2.0

0.2

Maths

LA -1.2

-1.2 to 1.7

2018

R/W/M Expected Standard

76%

LA 65%

Reading84% LA 77%

Writing86% LA 79%

Maths81% LA 74%

Read SS

109

Maths SS

105

GPS SS

107

Progress (0 = national avg)

2.3

Read

LA 0.5

0.7 to 3.9

-0.1

Write

LA -0.3

-1.6 to 1.4

-1

Maths

LA -0.4

-2.4 to 0.4

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

23 January 2024

Inspection Report

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26 June 2018

Inspection Report

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26 September 2013

Inspection Report

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08 November 2010

Inspection Report

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01 November 2007

Inspection Report

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15 September 2003

Inspection Report

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Inspection Report

Inspection History

3 Evaluations

2018-06-26

None Legacy

No Judgement

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

Development

Leadership

2013-09-26

S5 Inspection Legacy

Good

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Good

2010-11-08

None EIF

Good

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Good

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

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Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Official Department for Education (DfE) data. Suspensions measure temporary removals due to behavior, while exclusions represent permanent removals.

Suspension Rate

0.4%per term

sentiment_satisfied Below Average (Good)

National average: 0.8% for this term (primary).

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

0.4%(1 pupils)

Spring term 2025

Represents the proportion of unique students suspended at least once in this term.

Permanent Exclusions

0pupils

verified Excellent (Zero)

National average: 1.225% of pupils excluded per term.

Pastoral Context: In the Spring term of 2025, this school served a headcount of 270 pupils. During this period, there were 1 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 0.4%, which is below the termly national average of 0.8%.

View Historical Disciplinary Records (2017–2025)keyboard_arrow_down

Year / Term	Headcount	Suspensions	Susp. Rate	Nat. Avg	Perm. Excl.
2024/25 (Spring term)	270	1	0.4%	0.8%	0
2024/25 (Autumn term)	271	1	0.4%	0.9%	0
2023/24 (Summer term)	306	2	0.7%	0.8%	0
2023/24 (Spring term)	310	2	0.6%	0.7%	0
2023/24 (Autumn term)	311	3	1.0%	0.8%	0
2022/23 (Summer term)	309	0	0.0%	0.7%	0
2022/23 (Spring term)	309	1	0.3%	0.6%	0
2022/23 (Autumn term)	308	1	0.3%	0.6%	0
2021/22 (Summer term)	314	3	1.0%	0.5%	0
2021/22 (Spring term)	311	2	0.6%	0.5%	0
2021/22 (Autumn term)	311	0	0.0%	0.5%	0
2020/21 (Summer term)	347	0	0.0%	0.4%	0
2020/21 (Spring term)	348	0	0.0%	0.1%	0
2020/21 (Autumn term)	346	0	0.0%	0.4%	0
2019/20 (Summer term)	347	0	0.0%	0.0%	0
2019/20 (Spring term)	347	0	0.0%	0.4%	0
2019/20 (Autumn term)	349	0	0.0%	0.6%	0
2018/19 (Summer term)	375	0	0.0%	0.4%	0
2018/19 (Spring term)	376	0	0.0%	0.5%	0
2018/19 (Autumn term)	373	0	0.0%	0.5%	0
2017/18 (Summer term)	401	5	1.2%	0.5%	0
2017/18 (Spring term)	397	0	0.0%	0.4%	0
2017/18 (Autumn term)	390	1	0.3%	0.5%	0
2016/17 (Summer term)	384	1	0.3%	0.4%	0
2016/17 (Spring term)	362	3	0.8%	0.4%	1
2016/17 (Autumn term)	351	2	0.6%	0.5%	0

Source: DfE Suspensions and Permanent Exclusions in England. Data represents termly statistics as published by the Department for Education.

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Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Primary areas of need currently supported by the school. A high number often indicates specialized internal units or high staff experience in these areas.

Speech, Language & Communication 21 pupils

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 14 pupils

Specific Learning Difficulty 11 pupils

Social, Emotional & Mental Health 9 pupils

Moderate Learning Difficulty 2 pupils

Other Difficulty/Disability 1 pupils

health_and_safety

Parent View on Pastoral Care

Results from the official Ofsted Parent View survey, reflecting direct parent sentiment regarding the school environment.

My child is happy at this school.

96.0%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

96.0%Positive

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

23.0%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree55%

agree37%

disagree3%

strongly disagree1%

don't know4%

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

strongly agree65%

agree32%

disagree2%

don't know1%

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

strongly agree45%

agree23%

disagree4%

strongly disagree1%

don't know3%

not applicable25%

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

yes12%

no88%

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

strongly agree58%

agree26%

disagree16%

The school has high expectations for my child.

strongly agree43%

agree41%

disagree8%

strongly disagree1%

don't know8%

My child does well at this school.

strongly agree58%

agree35%

disagree2%

strongly disagree1%

don't know3%

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

strongly agree47%

agree46%

disagree5%

strongly disagree1%

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

strongly agree60%

agree35%

disagree2%

don't know3%

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

strongly agree64%

agree34%

disagree1%

strongly disagree1%

don't know1%

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

strongly agree53%

agree35%

disagree1%

strongly disagree1%

don't know10%

I would recommend this school to another parent.

yes97%

no3%

Top Primary Schools in East Sussex

Other highly-ranked schools in the same local authority

View all arrow_forward

Breakwater Academy

Good

location_on Newhaven, BN9 9UT

emoji_events #1 in LA

Sandown Primary School and Nursery

Good

location_on Hastings, TN34 2AA

emoji_events #2 in LA

Ark Blacklands Primary Academy

Outstanding

location_on Hastings, TN34 2HU

emoji_events #3 in LA

Pevensey and Westham CofE Primary School

Requires improvement

location_on Pevensey, BN24 5LP

emoji_events #4 in LA

Peacehaven Heights Academy

Requires improvement

location_on Peacehaven, BN10 7QY

emoji_events #5 in LA

St Peter and St Paul CofE Primary School

Outstanding

location_on Bexhill-on-Sea, TN40 1QE

emoji_events #6 in LA

View all schools in East Sussex arrow_forward

School Summary

Academic Performance

Primary Performance Trends (KS2)

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Inspection History

Admissions Insight

How Places Are Allocated

Faith Priority (Church of England)

Distance to School

School Capacity

Primary Admission Trends

Students & School Environment

School Size

Language Diversity

Inclusive Support

Attendance

Ethnicity Breakdown

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Parent View on Pastoral Care

My child is happy at this school.

My child feels safe at this school.

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

The school has high expectations for my child.

My child does well at this school.

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

I would recommend this school to another parent.

Funding & Staffing

School Funding Allocation

Funding Breakdown

Staffing

Teacher Turnover

Top Primary Schools in East Sussex

Breakwater Academy

Sandown Primary School and Nursery

Ark Blacklands Primary Academy

Pevensey and Westham CofE Primary School

Peacehaven Heights Academy

St Peter and St Paul CofE Primary School