SchoolScoresDavison CofE High School for Girls, Worthing
Voluntary controlled school · Secondary, ages 11 to 16 · Girls only · Church of England
Selborne Road, Worthing, BN11 2JX
01903 233835 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Outstanding at the inspection that started on 4 June 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 | Outstanding |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Outstanding |
| Personal development | Outstanding |
| Leadership and management | Outstanding |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
196 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 2 April 2024 and 7 April 2025.
Worthing comparisons use the 4 of its 6 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 | Worthing | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school 4th highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Worthing. Higher than 56% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 85% | 87% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school 3rd highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Worthing. Higher than 56% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 88% | 90% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 2nd highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Worthing. Higher than 73% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 87% | 90% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 67 parents whose child had been bullied 4th highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Worthing. Higher than 48% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 49% | 56% | 51% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 145 parents who had raised a concern 4th highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Worthing. Higher than 59% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 74% | 78% | 76% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 4th highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Worthing. Higher than 67% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 86%said yes | 88% | 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. Worthing figures pool parents at the Worthing 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
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
258 pupils in this year group.
57% — 11 points above the West Sussex average, and 11 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | West Sussex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 57% | 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. | 52.1 | 46.2 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 4.3 | 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.
259 pupils in this year group.
95% — about the same as the West Sussex average, and 3 points above 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. | 95% | 94% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 5% | 26% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 30% | 20% | 13% |
| Further education college | 55% | 41% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 2% | 2% | 3% |
| Work | 2% | 3% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 96% | 95% |
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?
For the September 2026 intake there were about 1 first-choice applications for every place.
| Places offered | 265 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 296 |
| Of those, offered a place | 252 (85%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 577 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.0 · 2025: 0.9 · 2026: 1.1
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.
This is a Church of England school, but as a voluntary controlled school its admissions are set by the council, which usually doesn't prioritise by faith. Check the council's admissions criteria.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | West Sussex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 5th highest of 6 state secondary schools in Worthing. Higher than 14% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 14.1% | 17.9%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 5th highest of 6 state secondary schools in Worthing. Higher than 57% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 3.2% | 3.2%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 3rd highest of 6 state secondary schools in Worthing. Higher than 77% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 17.6% | 16.9%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 5th highest of 6 state secondary schools in Worthing. Higher than 36% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 7.8% | 11.6%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 3rd lowest of 6 state secondary schools in Worthing. Lower than 51% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 8.3% | 8.6%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 3rd lowest of 6 state secondary schools in Worthing. Lower than 58% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 21.9% | 23.5%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 3rd lowest of 6 state secondary schools in Worthing. Lower than 80% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 5.6 | 16.2 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 3rd lowest of 6 state secondary schools in Worthing. Lower than 73% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 4.1% | 5.9% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.17% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 1st highest of 6 state secondary schools in Worthing. Higher than 83% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 18.6 | 17.0 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) Joint 2nd highest of 6 state secondary schools in Worthing. Higher than 37% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 11.3 | 11.5 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 3rd highest of 6 state secondary schools in Worthing. Higher than 26% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 9.6% | 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
- St Andrew's CofE High School 0.5 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 36% grade 5+ English and maths
- Educate U 0.7 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Requires improvement (2025)
- Bohunt School Worthing 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2018), confirmed 2023 · 44% grade 5+ English and maths
- Lancing College Preparatory School at Worthing 0.9 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
- Our Lady of Sion School 1.0 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 16% A*/A at A level
- Worthing High School 1.1 miles · Ofsted: Good (2016), confirmed 2025 · 47% grade 5+ English and maths
- The Sir Robert Woodard Academy 1.6 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 4 strong, 3 expected · 38% grade 5+ English and maths
- Durrington High School 2.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 55% grade 5+ English and maths
- Lancing College 2.9 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 45% A*/A at A level
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Davison CofE High School for Girls, Worthing's Ofsted rating?
Davison CofE High School for Girls, Worthing was rated Outstanding by Ofsted at its inspection in 4 June 2024.
How did Davison CofE High School for Girls, Worthing do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 57% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 11 points above the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend Davison CofE High School for Girls, Worthing?
86% of the 196 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 2 April 2024 and 7 April 2025 said they would recommend Davison CofE High School for Girls, Worthing to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Davison CofE High School for Girls, Worthing oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 296 families put Davison CofE High School for Girls, Worthing as their first choice for 265 places: about 1 first-choice applications for every place. 252 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 126093.
- 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, 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.