SchoolScoresSt John's Meads CofE Primary School
Academy · Primary, ages 4 to 11 · Mixed · Church of England
Part of DIOCESE OF CHICHESTER ACADEMY TRUST
Rowsley Road, Eastbourne, BN20 7XS
01323 730255 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Requires improvement at the inspection that started on 12 March 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 | Requires improvement |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Personal development | Good |
| Leadership and management | Requires improvement |
| Early years | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
51 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 1 January 2024 and 6 January 2025.
Eastbourne comparisons use the 9 of its 19 state primary schools with comparable results. The other 10 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 | Eastbourne | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school 7th highest of 9 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Eastbourne. Higher than 18% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 88% | 92% | 88% |
| My child feels safe at this school 5th highest of 9 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Eastbourne. Higher than 29% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 92% | 94% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 8th highest of 9 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Eastbourne. Higher than 13% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 76% | 87% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 19 parents whose child had been bullied 6th highest of 8 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Eastbourne. Higher than 44% of 6,022 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 53% | 56% | 50% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 38 parents who had raised a concern Joint 8th highest of 9 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Eastbourne. Higher than 16% of 8,398 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 68% | 81% | 76% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 9th highest of 9 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Eastbourne. Higher than 9% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 71%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. Eastbourne figures pool parents at the Eastbourne 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
31 pupils in this year group.
71% — 10 points above the East Sussex average, and 9 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | East Sussex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 71% | 61% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 3% | 6% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 81% | 74% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 81% | 72% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 84% | 71% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 108 | 105 | 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.
Admissions
Apply through the council where you live, even if the school is in a different council area. This school is in East Sussex. The national closing date for primary applications is 15 January, and offers are sent on 16 April.
How hard is it to get in?
For the September 2026 intake there were fewer first-choice applications than places.
| Places offered | 9 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 8 |
| Of those, offered a place | 8 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 20 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.7 · 2025: 0.8 · 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.
This is a Church of England school. When it has more applicants than places it can give priority to families of the faith, for example those who can show regular worship. Check the school's admissions policy to see how places are allocated.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | East Sussex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 19th highest of 19 state primary schools in Eastbourne. Higher than 15% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 9.3% | 25.4%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 10th highest of 19 state primary schools in Eastbourne. Higher than 21% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 1.6% | 2.1%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 18th highest of 19 state primary schools in Eastbourne. Higher than 34% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 12.1% | 16.2%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language 9th highest of 19 state primary schools in Eastbourne. Higher than 58% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 13.2% | 9.3%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 2nd lowest of 19 state primary schools in Eastbourne. Lower than 56% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 4.8% | 5.7%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 7th lowest of 19 state primary schools in Eastbourne. Lower than 38% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 13.7% | 14.4%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils Joint 1st lowest of 19 state primary schools in Eastbourne. Lower than 69% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.0 | 2.9 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once Joint 1st lowest of 19 state primary schools in Eastbourne. Lower than 69% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.0% | 1.2% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.08% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher 18th highest of 19 state primary schools in Eastbourne. Higher than 22% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 17.9 | 20.5 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) Joint 12th highest of 19 state primary schools in Eastbourne. Higher than 44% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 10.4 | 10.9 | 10.6 |
| Teachers who left during the year 1st highest of 19 state primary schools in Eastbourne. Higher than 98% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 44.9% | 15.0%* | 14.4%* |
Comparisons are with primary 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 primary schools
- Motcombe Infants' School 1.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2012), confirmed 2023
- Pashley Down Infant School 1.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2014), confirmed 2024
- Bourne Primary School 1.9 miles · Ofsted: Requires improvement (2024) · 33% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Thomas A Becket Catholic Primary School 1.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022, before conversion) · 62% met expected standard (KS2)
- Ocklynge Junior School 2.3 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 52% met expected standard (KS2)
- Stafford Junior School 2.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 66% met expected standard (KS2)
- Roselands Infants' School 2.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023)
- St Andrew's CofE Infants School 2.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2015, before conversion)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is St John's Meads CofE Primary School's Ofsted rating?
St John's Meads CofE Primary School was rated Requires improvement by Ofsted at its inspection in 12 March 2024.
How did St John's Meads CofE Primary School do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 71% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 9 points above the England average of 62%.
Would parents recommend St John's Meads CofE Primary School?
71% of the 51 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 1 January 2024 and 6 January 2025 said they would recommend St John's Meads CofE Primary School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is St John's Meads CofE Primary School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 8 families put St John's Meads CofE Primary School as their first choice for 9 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 8 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 147712.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 1 January 2024 to 6 January 2025.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, Key stage 2 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.