Ofsted: Good trending_up High Demand emoji_events #5 in Brighton and Hove public Top 15% UK

Varndean School

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

personMrs Shelley Baker

location_onBrighton, BN1 6NP

language Visit Website phone 1273561281

verified

Ofsted

Good

Inspected 2022

groups

Students

1,498

trending_up

Attainment 8

48.8

leaderboard

GCSE Rank

#5 in Brighton and Hove

#1,104 of 3,216 nationally

summarize

Varndean School is a Community school secondary school in Brighton, serving ages 11-16. Rated Good by Ofsted. Highly competitive: 1.6× more applications than places — plan well ahead.

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School Summary

Varndean School is a community school in Brighton, Brighton and Hove, admitting pupils aged 11-16. The school has approximately 1,497 pupils on roll, of whom 21% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2025, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 48.8, placing the school #5 in Brighton and Hove and #1,104 of 3,216 nationally. 55.90% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths. 26.3% of all GCSE entries were graded 9–7.

Ofsted last inspected the school in 2022. The school's current overall rating is Good. Inspectors assessed quality of education as Good, behaviour and attitudes Outstanding, personal development Outstanding, and leadership and management Outstanding.

The school is oversubscribed — in the most recent cycle, there were 1.6× as many applications as places, making a successful application competitive.

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 17.4:1. There are no current teaching vacancies.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there were no permanent exclusions. The average suspension rate was 2.1 per 1,000 pupils per term.

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

Academic Performance

verified Data: UK Gov 2024/25

analytics

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

2025

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

48.8

Grade 5+ E&M

55.90%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)26.3%

Entering EBacc67.60%

EBacc APS4.54

2024

Progress 8 Score

0.42

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

53.5

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc65.50%

EBacc APS4.99

2023

Progress 8 Score

0.36

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

54.5

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc59%

EBacc APS4.98

2022

Progress 8 Score

0.41

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

57.3

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc64%

EBacc APS5.26

2021

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc65%

EBacc APS-

2019

Progress 8 Score

0.36

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

54.6

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc57%

EBacc APS4.91

2018

Progress 8 Score

0.33

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc40%

EBacc APS4.65

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Student Destinations (After Secondary)

This module shows what students did after finishing Key Stage 4 (GCSEs). It reflects how well the school prepares pupils for the real world.

2025

Stayed in Education / Employment

96%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)94%

Apprenticeships1%

Employment1%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)3%

2024

Stayed in Education / Employment

94%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)92%

ApprenticeshipsSP%

Employment1%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)6%

2023

Stayed in Education / Employment

95%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)94%

Apprenticeships0%

Employment1%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)4%

2022

Stayed in Education / Employment

95%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)94%

Apprenticeships0%

Employment1%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)5%

2021

Stayed in Education / Employment

96%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)93%

Apprenticeships1%

Employment2%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)4%

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

05 October 2022

Inspection Report

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05 July 2017

Inspection Report

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11 July 2013

Inspection Report

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06 October 2010

Inspection Report

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14 October 2009

Inspection Report

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25 April 2007

Inspection Report

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22 October 2001

Inspection Report

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Inspection Report

Inspection History

4 Evaluations

2022-10-05

S5 Inspection EIF

Good

Education

Good

Behaviour

Outstanding

Development

Outstanding

Leadership

Outstanding

2017-07-05

None Legacy

No Judgement

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

Development

Leadership

2013-07-11

S5 Inspection Legacy

Good

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Good

2009-10-14

None EIF

Good

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Good

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

gavel

Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

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

Suspension Rate

2.3%per term

sentiment_satisfied Below Average (Good)

National average: 7.3% for this term (secondary).

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

1.8%(27 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: 7.398% of pupils excluded per term.

Pastoral Context: In the Spring term of 2025, this school served a headcount of 1,497 pupils. During this period, there were 34 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 2.3%, which is below the termly national average of 7.3%.

View Historical Disciplinary Records (2017–2025)keyboard_arrow_down

Year / Term	Headcount	Suspensions	Susp. Rate	Nat. Avg	Perm. Excl.
2024/25 (Spring term)	1,497	34	2.3%	7.3%	0
2024/25 (Autumn term)	1,493	28	1.9%	7.8%	0
2023/24 (Summer term)	1,503	44	2.9%	7.4%	0
2023/24 (Spring term)	1,490	27	1.8%	7.1%	0
2023/24 (Autumn term)	1,483	23	1.6%	8.2%	0
2022/23 (Summer term)	1,495	13	0.9%	6.6%	0
2022/23 (Spring term)	1,498	26	1.7%	6.4%	0
2022/23 (Autumn term)	1,489	14	0.9%	5.9%	0
2021/22 (Summer term)	1,463	19	1.3%	4.7%	0
2021/22 (Spring term)	1,466	17	1.2%	4.9%	0
2021/22 (Autumn term)	1,458	16	1.1%	4.4%	0
2020/21 (Summer term)	1,416	37	2.6%	3.6%	1
2020/21 (Spring term)	1,419	7	0.5%	1.0%	0
2020/21 (Autumn term)	1,413	54	3.8%	3.9%	0
2019/20 (Summer term)	1,390	0	0.0%	0.0%	0
2019/20 (Spring term)	1,390	16	1.2%	3.2%	1
2019/20 (Autumn term)	1,398	23	1.6%	4.2%	0
2018/19 (Summer term)	1,357	22	1.6%	3.1%	1
2018/19 (Spring term)	1,352	30	2.2%	3.8%	0
2018/19 (Autumn term)	1,355	58	4.3%	3.8%	0
2017/18 (Summer term)	1,330	30	2.3%	3.4%	0
2017/18 (Spring term)	1,332	27	2.0%	3.0%	0
2017/18 (Autumn term)	1,337	23	1.7%	3.7%	0
2016/17 (Summer term)	1,336	20	1.5%	3.0%	1
2016/17 (Spring term)	1,342	38	2.8%	3.3%	0
2016/17 (Autumn term)	1,344	61	4.5%	3.1%	2

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

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psychology_alt

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.

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 149 pupils

Specific Learning Difficulty 132 pupils

Social, Emotional & Mental Health 122 pupils

Moderate Learning Difficulty 28 pupils

Speech, Language & Communication 17 pupils

Visual Impairment 5 pupils

Physical Disability 5 pupils

Hearing Impairment 4 pupils

Multi-Sensory Impairment 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.

93.0%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

95.0%Positive

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

19.0%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree42%

agree48%

disagree3%

strongly disagree1%

don't know5%

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

strongly agree26%

agree50%

disagree16%

strongly disagree3%

don't know5%

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

strongly agree46%

agree19%

disagree5%

strongly disagree2%

don't know3%

not applicable25%

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

yes21%

no79%

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

strongly agree38%

agree33%

disagree12%

strongly disagree7%

dont know9%

The school has high expectations for my child.

strongly agree51%

agree36%

disagree5%

strongly disagree1%

don't know6%

My child does well at this school.

strongly agree50%

agree42%

disagree3%

strongly disagree2%

don't know3%

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

strongly agree42%

agree46%

disagree6%

strongly disagree3%

don't know3%

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

strongly agree60%

agree37%

disagree2%

don't know1%

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

strongly agree67%

agree30%

disagree1%

strongly disagree1%

don't know2%

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

strongly agree52%

agree37%

disagree3%

strongly disagree2%

don't know6%

I would recommend this school to another parent.

yes95%

no5%

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School Summary

Academic Performance

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

Student Destinations (After Secondary)

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Inspection History

Admissions Insight

How Places Are Allocated

Distance to School

School Capacity

Secondary 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 Secondary Schools in Brighton and Hove

Dorothy Stringer School

King's School

Blatchington Mill School

Cardinal Newman Catholic School

Patcham High School

Portslade Aldridge Community Academy