Schools by area › West Sussex › Blackthorns Community Primary School
Blackthorns Community Primary School
Primary · Mixed · Ages 4–11 · Academy
3 Blackthorns Close, Lindfield, Haywards Heath RH16 2UA · blackthornsprimaryacademy.org.uk · 01444 454866
On the mapSearch near RH16 2UA
Overview
- Ofsted
- Report card
- Jun 2026 · graded by area, with no overall grade
- Key stage 2, 2024/25
- 77%
- reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths. West Sussex 60%, England 62%
- Last distance offered
- 1.97 mi
- 3.18 km · Reception, September 2026 entry · Criteria 7 · West Sussex Council
- Demand for places
- 0.7
- first choices for each place · Reception, September 2026
- Pupils
- 203
- 97% of 210 places
- Local authority
- West Sussex
- Nursery class
- No
- Free school meals
- 3%
- First language not English
- 4.9%
- School census 2025/26
The official school record (Department for Education)
Admissions
For Reception in September 2026, the last place offered under “Criteria 7” went to a home 1.97 mi (3.18 km) from the school. Source: West Sussex Council’s document.
For Reception in September 2026, 21 families put the school first and 30 places were offered; 100% of those families were offered a place there. Admission depends on the school’s own rules.
Demand for places
First choices against places
| Reception | Places | First choices | Per place | % offered |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 2026Sept 2026 | 30 | 21 | 0.7 | 100% |
| September 2025Sept 2025 | 30 | 34 | 1.1▲ | 68% |
| September 2024Sept 2024 | 30 | 39 | 1.3▲ | 59% |
| September 2023Sept 2023 | 30 | 33 | 1.1▲ | 76% |
| September 2022Sept 2022 | 30 | 49 | 1.6▲ | 55% |
Last distance offered
| Reception – Criteria 7 | Distance | |
|---|---|---|
| September 2026 | 1.97 mi3.18 km | |
Results
In 2024/25, 77% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths at the end of key stage 2, and 13% the higher standard. Across West Sussex it was 60%, and across England 62%.
Expected standard reading, writing and maths
| 2024/25 | Trend | School | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading, writing and maths | |||
| ▲77% | 62% | ||
| ▲13% | 8% | ||
| Average scaled score | |||
| ▲111 | 106 | ||
| ▲109 | 105 | ||
| ▲109 | 105 | ||
Ofsted
Ofsted inspected Blackthorns Community Primary School on 23 June 2026 and published a report card: each area has its own grade, and there is no overall grade.
- Inclusion: Expected standard
- Curriculum and teaching: Expected standard
- Achievement: Strong standard
- Attendance and behaviour: Expected standard
- Personal development and well-being: Expected standard
- Early years: Expected standard
- Leadership and governance: Expected standard
- Inspected
- 23 Jun 2026
- Report card
- Safeguarding
- Met
Graded areas
| Inclusion | Expected standard |
|---|---|
| Curriculum and teaching | Expected standard |
| Achievement | Strong standard |
| Attendance and behaviour | Expected standard |
| Personal development and well-being | Expected standard |
| Early years | Expected standard |
| Leadership and governance | Expected standard |
Previously: Some aspects not as strong, ungraded inspection, Apr 2025
Earlier inspections
September 2019 to November 2025
Apr 2025Ungraded inspectionSome aspects not as strong
Safeguarding Effective
Before September 2019
Sept 2018Outstanding
Outcomes for pupils Outstanding Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Outstanding Personal development, behaviour and welfare Outstanding Leadership and management Outstanding Early years Outstanding Safeguarding Effective Mar 2018Monitoring visit
Safeguarding Effective Mar 2012Good
Outcomes for pupils Good Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good Leadership and management Good May 2009Good
Outcomes for pupils Good Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good Leadership and management Good Early years Outstanding
What parents said
83% of the parents who answered Ofsted’s Parent View survey would recommend the school (72 replies, to 1 September 2025).
- Recommend
- 83%
- Replies
- 72
- 34% · 1 Sept 2025
based on the 69% who raised concerns
based on the 32% who had a child bullied
based on 20 parents (28%) with SEND