Ofsted: Good trending_up Places Available emoji_events #21 in West Sussex public Top 24% UK

Chichester Free School

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

personMrs Louise New

corporate_fareSUSSEX LEARNING TRUST

location_onChichester, PO20 1NP

language Visit Website phone 1243792690

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Ofsted

Good

Inspected 2024

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Students

1,027

trending_up

Attainment 8

44.9

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GCSE Rank

#24 in West Sussex

#1,752 of 3,216 nationally

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Chichester Free School is a Free schools secondary school in Chichester, serving ages 4-19. Rated Good by Ofsted.

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School Summary

Chichester Free School is a free schools in Chichester, West Sussex, admitting pupils aged 4-19. It has a sixth form offering post-16 education. It is part of SUSSEX LEARNING TRUST. The school has approximately 1,078 pupils on roll, of whom 15% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2025, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 44.9, placing the school #24 in West Sussex and #1,752 of 3,216 nationally. 40.20% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths. 17.6% of all GCSE entries were graded 9–7.

In 2025, 67% of pupils met the expected standard in Reading, Writing and Maths combined, with 5% achieving the higher standard. The school ranks #59 of 38 primaries in West Sussex and #7,013 of 3,216 nationally.

Ofsted last inspected the school in 2024. The school's current overall rating is Good. Inspectors assessed quality of education as Good, behaviour and attitudes Good, personal development Outstanding, and leadership and management Good.

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

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 18.2:1. There are no current teaching vacancies.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there were 2 permanent exclusions. The average suspension rate was 3.1 per 1,000 pupils per term.

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

Academic Performance

verified Data: UK Gov 2024/25

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Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

2025

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

44.9

Grade 5+ E&M

40.20%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)17.6%

Entering EBacc36.80%

EBacc APS4.02

2024

Progress 8 Score

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

44.5

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc14.10%

EBacc APS3.76

2023

Progress 8 Score

-0.46

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

40.0

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc22%

EBacc APS3.40

2022

Progress 8 Score

-0.32

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

44.2

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc28%

EBacc APS3.84

2021

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc34%

EBacc APS-

2019

Progress 8 Score

-0.07

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

44.4

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc64%

EBacc APS4.11

2018

Progress 8 Score

-0.05

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

44.8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc52%

EBacc APS4.07

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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

92%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)82%

Apprenticeships5%

Employment5%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)8%

2024

Stayed in Education / Employment

94%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)89%

Apprenticeships1%

Employment4%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)4%

2023

Stayed in Education / Employment

95%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)85%

Apprenticeships3%

Employment6%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)4%

2022

Stayed in Education / Employment

93%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)90%

Apprenticeships1%

Employment3%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)7%

2021

Stayed in Education / Employment

99%

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

Apprenticeships1%

Employment3%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)1%

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Sixth Form (A-Level) Performance

A-level results for students who stayed in sixth form at this school. Value added measures how much progress students made relative to their GCSE starting point.

2025

2023

2022

Students

Source: DfE A Level and Other 16-18 Results

school

Primary Performance Trends (KS2)

2025

R/W/M Expected Standard

67%

LA 56%

Reading83% LA 73%

Writing78% LA 67%

Maths80% LA 69%

Read SS

107

Maths SS

105

GPS SS

107

Progress (0 = national avg)

Read

Write

Maths

2024

R/W/M Expected Standard

68%

LA 54%England 61%

Reading79% LA 73% · Eng 74%

Writing77% LA 65% · Eng 72%

Maths79% LA 67% · Eng 73%

Read SS

107

Maths SS

105

GPS SS

105

Progress (0 = national avg)

Read

Write

Maths

2023

R/W/M Expected Standard

69%

LA 53%England 60%

Reading80% LA 71% · Eng 73%

Writing77% LA 65% · Eng 71%

Maths80% LA 67% · Eng 73%

Read SS

106

Maths SS

106

GPS SS

105

Progress (0 = national avg)

-0.2

Read

LA 0.1

-1.7 to 1.4

-0.7

Write

LA -0.8

-2.3 to 0.8

0.7

Maths

LA -0.8

-0.8 to 2.1

2019

R/W/M Expected Standard

50%

LA 60%England 65%

Reading63% LA 72% · Eng 73%

Writing66% LA 73% · Eng 78%

Maths68% LA 74% · Eng 79%

Read SS

102

Maths SS

102

GPS SS

101

Progress (0 = national avg)

0.2

Read

LA 0.2

-1.4 to 1.8

-0.7

Write

LA -1.2

-2.2 to 0.7

-0.2

Maths

LA -0.7

-1.6 to 1.1

2018

R/W/M Expected Standard

67%

LA 60%

Reading67% LA 75%

Writing77% LA 73%

Maths73% LA 71%

Read SS

103

Maths SS

103

GPS SS

103

Progress (0 = national avg)

-2.6

Read

LA -0.1

-4.8 to -0.4

-0.6

Write

LA -1.4

-2.7 to 1.5

-1.4

Maths

LA -1.0

-3.4 to 0.6

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

08 May 2024

Inspection Report

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06 February 2019

Inspection Report

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10 June 2015

Inspection Report

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Inspection Report

Inspection History

3 Evaluations

2024-05-08

S5 Inspection EIF

Good

Education

Good

Behaviour

Good

Development

Outstanding

Leadership

Good

2019-02-06

S5 Inspection Legacy

Good

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Good

2015-06-10

None Legacy

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

3.8%per term

sentiment_satisfied Below Average (Good)

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

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

2.6%(28 pupils)

Spring term 2025

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

Permanent Exclusions

1pupils

gavel Exclusion recorded

National average: 7.398% of pupils excluded per term.

Pastoral Context: In the Spring term of 2025, this school served a headcount of 1,078 pupils. During this period, there were 41 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 3.8%, 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)	1,078	41	3.8%	7.3%	1
2024/25 (Autumn term)	1,087	25	2.3%	7.8%	1
2023/24 (Summer term)	1,065	32	3.0%	7.4%	2
2023/24 (Spring term)	1,063	48	4.5%	7.1%	2
2023/24 (Autumn term)	1,069	48	4.5%	8.2%	3
2022/23 (Summer term)	1,024	28	2.7%	6.6%	0
2022/23 (Spring term)	1,027	36	3.5%	6.4%	2
2022/23 (Autumn term)	1,038	29	2.8%	5.9%	2
2021/22 (Summer term)	1,026	23	2.2%	4.7%	1
2021/22 (Spring term)	1,015	61	6.0%	4.9%	1
2021/22 (Autumn term)	1,011	31	3.1%	4.4%	1
2020/21 (Summer term)	1,012	20	2.0%	3.6%	0
2020/21 (Spring term)	1,023	7	0.7%	1.0%	0
2020/21 (Autumn term)	1,023	14	1.4%	3.9%	1
2019/20 (Summer term)	1,037	0	0.0%	0.0%	0
2019/20 (Spring term)	1,037	49	4.7%	3.2%	2
2019/20 (Autumn term)	1,051	89	8.5%	4.2%	5
2018/19 (Summer term)	991	35	3.5%	3.1%	0
2018/19 (Spring term)	995	52	5.2%	3.8%	0
2018/19 (Autumn term)	994	42	4.2%	3.8%	1
2017/18 (Summer term)	883	27	3.1%	3.4%	0
2017/18 (Spring term)	886	23	2.6%	3.0%	0
2017/18 (Autumn term)	890	41	4.6%	3.7%	0
2016/17 (Summer term)	776	33	4.3%	3.0%	1
2016/17 (Spring term)	773	18	2.3%	3.3%	0
2016/17 (Autumn term)	780	16	2.1%	3.1%	1

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 38 pupils

Specific Learning Difficulty 32 pupils

Social, Emotional & Mental Health 15 pupils

Moderate Learning Difficulty 15 pupils

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 9 pupils

Other Difficulty/Disability 7 pupils

Physical Disability 5 pupils

Hearing Impairment 1 pupils

Visual Impairment 1 pupils

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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.

90.0%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

91.0%Positive

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

24.0%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree37%

agree49%

disagree6%

strongly disagree5%

don't know2%

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

strongly agree43%

agree43%

disagree9%

strongly disagree3%

don't know2%

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

strongly agree46%

agree26%

disagree7%

strongly disagree6%

not applicable14%

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

yes18%

no82%

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

strongly agree18%

agree42%

disagree16%

strongly disagree18%

dont know5%

The school has high expectations for my child.

strongly agree49%

agree39%

disagree5%

strongly disagree1%

don't know5%

My child does well at this school.

strongly agree49%

agree42%

disagree5%

strongly disagree2%

don't know2%

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

strongly agree57%

agree35%

disagree5%

strongly disagree2%

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

strongly agree51%

agree40%

disagree5%

strongly disagree2%

don't know1%

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

strongly agree75%

agree23%

disagree2%

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

strongly agree48%

agree36%

disagree8%

strongly disagree3%

don't know4%

I would recommend this school to another parent.

yes89%

no11%

Top Secondary Schools in West Sussex

Other highly-ranked schools in the same local authority

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Downlands Community School

Good

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St Paul's Catholic College

Outstanding

location_on Burgess Hill, RH15 8GA

emoji_events #2 in LA

St Oscar Romero Catholic School

Good

location_on Worthing, BN12 5AF

emoji_events #3 in LA

Shoreham Academy

Outstanding

location_on Shoreham-by-Sea, BN43 6YT

emoji_events #4 in LA

Tanbridge House School

Outstanding

location_on Horsham, RH12 1SR

emoji_events #5 in LA

St Philip Howard Catholic School

Outstanding

location_on Bognor Regis, PO22 0EN

emoji_events #6 in LA

View all schools in West Sussex arrow_forward

School Summary

Academic Performance

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

Student Destinations (After Secondary)

Sixth Form (A-Level) Performance

Primary Performance Trends (KS2)

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Inspection History

Admissions Insight

How Places Are Allocated

Distance to School

School Capacity

Primary Admission Trends

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 West Sussex

Downlands Community School

St Paul's Catholic College

St Oscar Romero Catholic School

Shoreham Academy

Tanbridge House School

St Philip Howard Catholic School