Arunside School, Horsham

About Arunside School, Horsham

Arunside School in Horsham is a state primary for mixed-gender pupils aged 5 to 11, and it is effectively full, with 416 pupils against a capacity of 420. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals stands at 11.8%, which is notably below the national average for primary schools, suggesting a relatively affluent local intake. Demand for places is extremely high: for the 2025/26 intake, the school received 196 applications for just 59 places, an oversubscription ratio of 3.32. Of those, 76 were first-preference applications, and only 55 first-preference offers were made. This level of competition signals that the school is a popular choice among Horsham families, and securing a place often depends on proximity or other admission criteria. The school does not have a religious character, so its oversubscription is driven purely by its reputation and local desirability rather than faith-based admissions.

Academically, Arunside holds a Good rating from Ofsted, confirmed in an ungraded inspection in September 2023 that found the school remains Good. Its previous graded inspection in 2013 also rated it Good overall, with leadership and management also judged Good. At Key Stage 2 in the 2023/24 academic year, 60% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, which is above the West Sussex local authority average of 56%. In reading, 78% met the expected standard and 37% achieved a higher score; in maths, 72% met the expected standard and 32% reached the higher threshold. Writing saw 70% at expected and just 3% at the higher level. Average scores were 107 in reading and 106 in maths. Nationally, the school ranks in the bottom half of primaries on the combined expected standard metric, sitting at the 58th percentile, and 18th out of 35 schools in the Horsham local authority area.

The school offers a solid range of facilities including a dining hall, sports hall, art studios, a sensory room, an outdoor playground and a chapel. Sports provision covers athletics, swimming, cricket, rounders and netball, while clubs include choir, chess, book club and art club. SEND support is broad, covering specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, speech and language needs, hearing and visual impairments, physical disabilities, autistic spectrum disorder and social, emotional and mental health needs. With the school heavily oversubscribed and no nursery provision, it is best suited to families living very close to the catchment area who are prepared to apply early and make it their first preference. The nearest outstanding-rated primary is Heron Way Primary School, three kilometres away, which may be a viable alternative for those who miss out on a place at Arunside.

Key Details

Frequently Asked Questions About Arunside School, Horsham

Helpful Guides for Parents