SchoolScoresSt Michael's CofE Primary School
Voluntary controlled school · Primary, ages 5 to 11 · Mixed · Church of England
Houghton Green Lane, Playden, Playden Rye, TN31 7PJ
01797 280277 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
At the inspection that started on 23 April 2025, Ofsted graded each area separately. It stopped giving an overall grade in September 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
24 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025.
East Sussex comparisons use the 88 of its 144 state primary schools with comparable results. The other 56 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 | East Sussex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school Joint 69th highest of 88 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in East Sussex. Higher than 18% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 88% | 94% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school Joint 37th highest of 88 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in East Sussex. Higher than 52% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 96% | 94% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved Joint 63rd highest of 88 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in East Sussex. Higher than 24% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 83% | 89% | 84% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 22 parents who had raised a concern Joint 59th highest of 87 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in East Sussex. Higher than 32% of 8,398 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 77% | 84% | 76% |
| My child with SEND gets the support they needOf 11 parents of children with SEND 24th highest of 32 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in East Sussex. Higher than 30% of 2,087 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 64% | 74% | 68% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent Joint 57th highest of 88 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in East Sussex. Higher than 38% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 88%said yes | 91% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 30%). 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. East Sussex figures pool parents at the East 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.
Results
Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25
9 pupils in this year group.
Only 9 pupils took these tests, so results can change a lot from year to year. Compare with care.
0% — 61 points below the East Sussex average, and 62 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | East Sussex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 0% | 61% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 0% | 6% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 33% | 74% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 0% | 72% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 33% | 71% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 97 | 105 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 96 | 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 about one first-choice application for every place.
| Places offered | 5 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 5 |
| Of those, offered a place | 5 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 15 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.0 · 2025: 1.0 · 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.
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 | East Sussex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 37th highest of 144 state primary schools in East Sussex. Higher than 66% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 29.6% | 25.4%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan Joint 41st highest of 144 state primary schools in East Sussex. Higher than 38% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 2.5% | 2.1%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 39th highest of 144 state primary schools in East Sussex. Higher than 75% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 18.5% | 16.2%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language 104th highest of 144 state primary schools in East Sussex. Higher than 19% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 2.5% | 9.3%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 114th lowest of 144 state primary schools in East Sussex. Lower than 15% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 6.6% | 5.7%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) Joint 123rd lowest of 144 state primary schools in East Sussex. Lower than 14% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 20.0% | 14.4%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 120th lowest of 144 state primary schools in East Sussex. Lower than 16% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 4.9 | 2.9 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 127th lowest of 144 state primary schools in East Sussex. Lower than 14% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 2.5% | 1.2% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.08% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher 133rd highest of 144 state primary schools in East Sussex. Higher than 6% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 14.4 | 20.5 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) Joint 131st highest of 144 state primary schools in East Sussex. Higher than 13% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 8.3 | 10.9 | 10.6 |
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.
Nearby primary schools
- Rye Community Primary School 1.2 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 32% met expected standard (KS2)
- Peasmarsh CofE Primary School 2.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is St Michael's CofE Primary School's Ofsted rating?
At its inspection in 23 April 2025, Ofsted graded each area separately; it stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.
How did St Michael's CofE Primary School do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 0% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 62 points below the England average of 62%.
Would parents recommend St Michael's CofE Primary School?
88% of the 24 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025 said they would recommend St Michael's CofE Primary School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is St Michael's CofE Primary School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 5 families put St Michael's CofE Primary School as their first choice for 5 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 5 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 114520.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 3 September 2024 to 1 September 2025.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, Key stage 2 2024/25.
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Page updated 26 September 2026.