SchoolScoresSt Nicolas and St Mary CofE Primary School
Academy · Primary, ages 2 to 11 · Mixed · Church of England · Nursery class
Part of DIOCESE OF CHICHESTER ACADEMY TRUST
Eastern Avenue, Shoreham-by-Sea, BN43 6PE
01273 454470 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 20 June 2013. This inspection was of the school before it changed to its current form (for example, before becoming an academy).
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 |
| Outcomes for pupils | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 5 December 2024: Ofsted found the school had maintained its standards.
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
94 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025.
Shoreham-by-Sea comparisons use the 3 of its 6 state primary schools with comparable results. The other 3 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 | Shoreham-by-Sea | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school 1st highest of 3 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Shoreham-by-Sea. Higher than 54% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 96% | 93% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school 1st highest of 3 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Shoreham-by-Sea. 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 3rd highest of 3 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Shoreham-by-Sea. Higher than 31% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 86% | 90% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 23 parents whose child had been bullied 3rd highest of 3 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Shoreham-by-Sea. Higher than 16% of 6,022 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 39% | 47% | 51% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 73 parents who had raised a concern 2nd highest of 3 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Shoreham-by-Sea. Higher than 36% of 8,398 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 79% | 80% | 76% |
| My child with SEND gets the support they needOf 13 parents of children with SEND Joint 23rd highest of 39 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in West Sussex. Higher than 40% of 2,087 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 69% | – | 68% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 3rd highest of 3 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Shoreham-by-Sea. Higher than 35% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 87%said yes | 89% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 24%). 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. Shoreham-by-Sea figures pool parents at the Shoreham-by-Sea 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
58 pupils in this year group.
71% — 11 points above the West Sussex average, and 9 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | West Sussex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 71% | 60% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 12% | 6% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 83% | 76% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 83% | 71% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 81% | 73% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 108 | 106 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 106 | 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 West 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 | 50 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 50 |
| Of those, offered a place | 50 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 136 |
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. 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 | West Sussex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 6th highest of 6 state primary schools in Shoreham-by-Sea. Higher than 19% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 10.5% | 15.8%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 5th highest of 6 state primary schools in Shoreham-by-Sea. Higher than 29% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 2.0% | 3.0%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 3rd highest of 6 state primary schools in Shoreham-by-Sea. Higher than 54% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 14.8% | 14.9%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language 4th highest of 6 state primary schools in Shoreham-by-Sea. Higher than 24% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 3.3% | 14.7%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 2nd lowest of 6 state primary schools in Shoreham-by-Sea. Lower than 62% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 4.6% | 5.2%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 2nd lowest of 6 state primary schools in Shoreham-by-Sea. Lower than 71% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 8.4% | 11.7%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 6th lowest of 6 state primary schools in Shoreham-by-Sea. Lower than 8% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 8.4 | 2.8 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 5th lowest of 6 state primary schools in Shoreham-by-Sea. Lower than 22% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 1.8% | 1.2% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.04% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher 6th highest of 6 state primary schools in Shoreham-by-Sea. Higher than 30% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 18.9 | 21.3 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 6th highest of 6 state primary schools in Shoreham-by-Sea. Higher than 40% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 10.2 | 11.4 | 10.6 |
| Teachers who left during the year 6th highest of 6 state primary schools in Shoreham-by-Sea. Higher than 18% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 2.9% | 12.8%* | 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
- St Peter's Catholic Primary School 0.1 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 4 strong, 3 expected · 79% met expected standard (KS2)
- Buckingham Park Primary School 0.2 miles · Ofsted: Good (2013), confirmed 2023 · 62% met expected standard (KS2)
- Swiss Gardens Primary School 0.6 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 43% met expected standard (KS2)
- Shoreham Beach Primary School 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2015), confirmed 2024 · 59% met expected standard (KS2)
- Holmbush Primary Academy 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2018), confirmed 2023 · 43% met expected standard (KS2)
- Glebe Primary School 1.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023, before conversion) · 40% met expected standard (KS2)
- Eastbrook Primary Academy 1.6 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 68% met expected standard (KS2)
- Mile Oak Primary School 1.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 58% met expected standard (KS2)
- Peter Gladwin Primary School 2.1 miles · Ofsted: Good (2015), confirmed 2024 · 77% met expected standard (KS2)
- Brackenbury Primary School 2.1 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 55% met expected standard (KS2)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is St Nicolas and St Mary CofE Primary School's Ofsted rating?
St Nicolas and St Mary CofE Primary School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 20 June 2013. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 5 December 2024, Ofsted found the school had maintained its standards.
How did St Nicolas and St Mary 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 Nicolas and St Mary CofE Primary School?
87% of the 94 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025 said they would recommend St Nicolas and St Mary CofE Primary School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is St Nicolas and St Mary CofE Primary School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 50 families put St Nicolas and St Mary CofE Primary School as their first choice for 50 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 50 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 149006.
- 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.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.