Midhurst Rother College

Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed · Sixth form

Part of UNITED LEARNING TRUST

North Street, Midhurst, GU29 9DT

01730 812451 · School website · Map and directions

OfstedOutstandingInspected 8 May 2024
Grade 5 or above in English and maths56%England 45% · 2024/25
12th highest of 40 state secondary schools in West Sussex.
Higher than 77% of 3,259 state secondary schools in England.
Pupils1,144Room for 1,200 Pupil numbers in January of each year: 1,056 in 2019, 1,146 in 2021, 1,122 in 2022, 1,170 in 2023, 1,166 in 2024, 1,158 in 2025, 1,144 in 2026. Across England, secondary state school pupil numbers were up 10% from 2019 to 2025.
First-choice applications per place0.9221 for 233 places, September 2026
21st highest of 40 state secondary schools in West Sussex.
Higher than 49% of 3,219 state secondary schools in England.

Ofsted inspection

Ofsted rated this school Outstanding 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.

AreaGrade
Quality of educationOutstanding
Behaviour and attitudesOutstanding
Personal developmentOutstanding
Leadership and managementOutstanding
Sixth formOutstanding
SafeguardingEffective

Read the full Ofsted reports for this school

Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.

What parents say

250 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 2 April 2024 and 7 April 2025.

West Sussex comparisons use the 21 of its 41 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 20 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.

StatementThis schoolWest SussexEngland
My child is happy at this school
20th highest of 21 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in West Sussex.
Higher than 16% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
67% 81% 89%
My child feels safe at this school
18th highest of 21 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in West Sussex.
Higher than 27% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
77% 84% 90%
The school makes sure pupils are well behaved
18th highest of 21 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in West Sussex.
Higher than 27% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
66% 76% 84%
Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 119 parents whose child had been bullied
19th highest of 21 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in West Sussex.
Higher than 19% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
37% 49% 51%
Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 219 parents who had raised a concern
19th highest of 21 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in West Sussex.
Higher than 26% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
59% 72% 76%
I would recommend this school to another parent
19th highest of 21 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in West Sussex.
Higher than 24% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
66%said yes 80% 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. West Sussex figures pool parents at the West Sussex 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.

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Results

GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25

210 pupils in this year group.

56% — 10 points above the West Sussex average, and 11 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolWest SussexEngland
Grade 5 or above in English and maths 56% 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. 48.8 46.2 46.1
EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. 4.5 4.1 4.1
Grade 5 or above in English and maths, over time
30% 40% 50% 60% 70% England 2022/23: 45%England 2023/24: 46%England 2024/25: 45% This school 2022/23: 57%This school 2023/24: 44%This school 2024/25: 56% This school England 45% 2022/23 57% 2023/24 44% 2024/25 56%

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.

191 pupils in this year group.

93% — about the same as the West Sussex average, and about the same as the England average.

Where pupils went after Year 11
This school 37%11%38%
England 34%13%37%
MeasureThis schoolWest SussexEngland
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. 93% 94% 92%
School sixth form 37% 26% 34%
Sixth form college 11% 20% 13%
Further education college 38% 41% 37%
Apprenticeship 2% 2% 3%
Work 4% 3% 3%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
96%93%

Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.

A levels (16 to 18), 2024/25

63 A level students in this year group.

MeasureThis schoolWest SussexEngland
Average A level grade C+ C+ B-
A level exams graded A* or A 22% 25% 26%
A level exams graded A* to B 45% 52% 53%
Average points per A level entryAn A* is 60 points, an A is 50, a B is 40, and so on down to 10 for an E. 33.2 34.0 35
Average points per A level entry, over time
30 35 40 45 England 2022/23: 34.2England 2023/24: 34.4England 2024/25: 35 This school 2022/23: 39.4This school 2023/24: 35.5This school 2024/25: 33.2 This school England 35 2022/23 39.4 2023/24 35.5 2024/25 33.2

A level subjects, 2024/25

23 subjects, 162 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.

SubjectExamsA*A* or AEngland A* or A
Mathematics 18 11% 28% 40%
History 15 0% 7% 23%
Geography 14 0% 0% 23%
Law 12 0% 17% 17%
Biology 11 9% 55% 27%
Economics 11 0% 9% 26%
English Literature 11 9% 18% 23%
Physics 9 0% 22% 31%
Sociology 8 0% 13% 20%
Computer Studies / Computing 7 14% 14% 24%
Psychology 7 29% 29% 19%
Chemistry 6 0% 33% 30%
Design and Technology (Product Design) 6 17% 33% 15%

Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Art and Design (Fine Art), Physical Education / Sports Studies, Religious Studies, Art and Design (Photography), Government and Politics, Mathematics (Further), Art and Design (Textiles), French, German, Music.

Source: DfE 16 to 18 qualification and subject data, 2024/25.

Source: DfE 16 to 18 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.

After sixth form

Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.

46 students in this year group.

80% — 2 points above the West Sussex average, and about the same as the England average.

MeasureThis schoolWest SussexEngland
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. 80% 78% 79%
Apprenticeship 2% 6% 7%
Work 17% 38% 28%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
94%80%

Source: DfE 16 to 18 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.

Going on to university

Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.

48 students in this year group.

71% — 17 points above the West Sussex average, and 11 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolWest SussexEngland
Went on to a degree or other higher education 71% 54% 60%
Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. 40% 14% 19%

Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time

2023/242024/25
74%71%

Source: DfE 16 to 18 progression to higher education or training, 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 one first-choice application for every place.

Places offered233
Families who put it first221
Of those, offered a place221 (100%)
Families who listed it at all460

First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.9 · 2025: 1.0 · 2026: 0.9

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.

Admissions dates and schools in West Sussex

Pupils, staff and SEND

PupilsThis schoolWest SussexEngland
Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years
19th highest of 40 state secondary schools in West Sussex.
Higher than 20% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
16.3% 17.9%* 28.9%
With an education, health and care plan
37th highest of 40 state secondary schools in West Sussex.
Higher than 24% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
1.9% 3.2%* 3.1%
Receiving special educational needs support
40th highest of 40 state secondary schools in West Sussex.
Higher than 26% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
10.5% 16.9%* 13.4%
English as an additional language
28th highest of 40 state secondary schools in West Sussex.
Higher than 33% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
7.0% 11.6%* 19.2%
Overall absence (sessions missed)
18th lowest of 40 state secondary schools in West Sussex.
Lower than 54% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
8.1% 8.6%* 8.4%
Persistently absent (missed 10% or more)
11th lowest of 40 state secondary schools in West Sussex.
Lower than 70% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
19.4% 23.5%* 23.4%
Suspensions per 100 pupils
27th lowest of 40 state secondary schools in West Sussex.
Lower than 48% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
15.6 16.2 21.2
Pupils suspended at least once
24th lowest of 40 state secondary schools in West Sussex.
Lower than 56% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
6.0% 5.9% 7.3%
Pupils permanently excluded3 pupils 0.26% 0.17% 0.23%
Pupils per teacher
10th highest of 40 state secondary schools in West Sussex.
Higher than 71% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England.
17.8 17.0 16.7
Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff)
3rd highest of 40 state secondary schools in West Sussex.
Higher than 76% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
13.0 11.5 11.8
Teachers who left during the year
4th highest of 40 state secondary schools in West Sussex.
Higher than 74% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England.
18.1% 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.

Questions parents ask

What is Midhurst Rother College's Ofsted rating?

Midhurst Rother College was rated Outstanding by Ofsted at its inspection in 8 May 2024.

How did Midhurst Rother College do in its GCSEs?

In 2024/25, 56% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 11 points above the England average of 45%.

Would parents recommend Midhurst Rother College?

66% of the 250 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 2 April 2024 and 7 April 2025 said they would recommend Midhurst Rother College to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.

Is Midhurst Rother College oversubscribed?

For the September 2026 intake, 221 families put Midhurst Rother College as their first choice for 233 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 221 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.

Sources

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Page updated 26 September 2026.