SchoolScoresChichester Free School
Free school · All-through, ages 4 to 19 · Mixed
Part of SUSSEX LEARNING TRUST
Hunston Road, Chichester, PO20 1NP
01243 792690 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 8 May 2024.
This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Good |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Personal development | Outstanding |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Early years | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
207 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 2 April 2024 and 7 April 2025.
Chichester comparisons use the 3 of its 5 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 2 have no published Parent View results (Ofsted only publishes a survey once at least 10 parents answer) or used Ofsted's newer questions, which we don't compare with the older ones.
| Statement | This school | Chichester | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school 2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Chichester. Higher than 71% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 89% | 86% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school 2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Chichester. Higher than 67% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 90% | 84% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 1st highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Chichester. Higher than 70% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 86% | 78% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 84 parents whose child had been bullied 1st highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Chichester. Higher than 74% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 58% | 50% | 51% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 178 parents who had raised a concern Joint 1st highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Chichester. Higher than 84% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 83% | 77% | 76% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Chichester. Higher than 77% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 89%said yes | 85% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families. Figures are the share who agree or strongly agree. England figures are all parents answering the same questions over the same period, for state-funded schools. Chichester figures pool parents at the Chichester schools compared, from each school's latest survey, so survey dates differ between schools. The scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) agreement, and the dot marks this school among state schools of the same phase that used the same survey questions. The third it falls in is coloured: green for the top third, amber the middle, red the bottom. This survey used Ofsted's previous Parent View questions, which changed in November 2025. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.
Results
Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25
64 pupils in this year group.
67% — 7 points above the West Sussex average, and 5 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | West Sussex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 67% | 60% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 5% | 6% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 83% | 76% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 78% | 71% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 80% | 73% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 107 | 106 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 105 | 104 | 105 |
Source: DfE key stage 2 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
117 pupils in this year group.
40% — 6 points below the West Sussex average, and 5 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | West Sussex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 40% | 46% | 45% |
| Attainment 8 scoreAverage of each pupil's grades across 8 GCSE-level subjects, with English and maths counted twice. Around 50 means grade 5s on average. | 44.9 | 46.2 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 4.0 | 4.1 | 4.1 |
Progress 8 isn't shown. DfE didn't publish it for 2024/25 because this year group's key stage 2 tests in 2020 were cancelled, and older progress scores aren't comparable.
Source: DfE key stage 4 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
After Year 11
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
108 pupils in this year group.
92% — 2 points below the West Sussex average, and about the same as the England average.
| Measure | This school | West Sussex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 92% | 94% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 12% | 26% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 2% | 20% | 13% |
| Further education college | 69% | 41% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 5% | 2% | 3% |
| Work | 5% | 3% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 94% | 92% |
Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Admissions
Apply through the council where you live, even if the school is in a different council area. This school is in West Sussex. The national closing date for secondary applications is 31 October, and offers are sent on 1 March.
How hard is it to get in (Year 7)?
For the September 2026 intake there were about 1 first-choice applications for every place.
| Places offered | 67 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 80 |
| Of those, offered a place | 54 (68%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 476 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.4 · 2025: 1.0 · 2026: 1.2
This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2026 intake.
How hard is it to get in (Reception)?
For the September 2026 intake there were about one first-choice application for every place.
| Places offered | 59 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 59 |
| Of those, offered a place | 51 (86%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 146 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.8 · 2025: 0.9 · 2026: 1.0
This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2026 intake.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | West Sussex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 4th highest of 5 state secondary schools in Chichester. Higher than 17% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 15.3% | 17.9%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 5th highest of 5 state secondary schools in Chichester. Higher than 12% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 1.3% | 3.2%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 4th highest of 5 state secondary schools in Chichester. Higher than 51% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 13.9% | 16.9%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 4th highest of 5 state secondary schools in Chichester. Higher than 28% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 6.1% | 11.6%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 3rd lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Chichester. Lower than 54% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 8.1% | 8.6%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 2nd lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Chichester. Lower than 54% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 22.7% | 23.5%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 2nd lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Chichester. Lower than 70% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 8.3 | 16.2 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 2nd lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Chichester. Lower than 72% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 4.3% | 5.9% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded2 pupils | 0.19% | 0.17% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher Joint 4th highest of 5 state secondary schools in Chichester. Higher than 61% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 17.3 | 17.0 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 4th highest of 5 state secondary schools in Chichester. Higher than 45% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 11.6 | 11.5 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 4th highest of 5 state secondary schools in Chichester. Higher than 6% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 5.5% | 12.0%* | 14.2%* |
Comparisons are with secondary schools. Scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) figures. For absence and suspensions lower is better, so their scales run green to red; blue scales describe the school's pupils and staff and aren't good or bad. * Calculated by SchoolScores from the council's or England's schools, weighted by pupils (or teachers, for turnover); other figures are published by DfE. Sources: DfE school census 2024/25; DfE pupil absence 2024/25; DfE suspensions and permanent exclusions 2024/25; DfE school workforce census 2025/26; DfE teacher turnover 2024/25.
Nearby secondary schools
- Chichester High School 0.5 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 29% grade 5+ English and maths
- The Prebendal School 1.1 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
- Bishop Luffa School, Chichester 1.7 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2022) · 59% grade 5+ English and maths
- Westbourne House School 1.8 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Chichester Free School's Ofsted rating?
Chichester Free School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 8 May 2024.
How did Chichester Free School do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 40% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 5 points below the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend Chichester Free School?
89% of the 207 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 2 April 2024 and 7 April 2025 said they would recommend Chichester Free School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Chichester Free School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 80 families put Chichester Free School as their first choice for 67 places: about 1 first-choice applications for every place. 54 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 139668.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 2 April 2024 to 7 April 2025.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, Key stage 2 2024/25, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.