Broadwater CofE Primary School

About Broadwater CofE Primary School

Broadwater CofE Primary School in Worthing is a state primary that runs close to full, with 427 pupils on roll against a capacity of 436. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals sits at 8.2%, notably lower than the national average, suggesting a relatively affluent local intake. Demand for places is strong: for the 2025/26 reception intake, the school received 153 applications for 56 places, giving an oversubscription ratio of 2.73. Of those, 51 first-preference families were offered a spot, meaning that securing a place here is competitive. The school is Church of England, which may be a factor for some families when considering admissions criteria. Its most recent Ofsted inspection, in November 2023, rated the school Good overall, with Outstanding marks for personal development and for behaviour and attitudes — a strong signal that children are well-supported and engaged.

Academically, Broadwater performs solidly above the local average. In the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 tests, 67% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared to a West Sussex average of 56%. The school ranks 5th out of 16 primary schools in Worthing on this measure, placing it in the top third locally. Individual subject scores are encouraging: average scaled scores of 107 in reading and 106 in maths both sit above the national benchmark of 100. At the higher standard, 36% of pupils achieved in reading, 28% in maths and 13% in writing. Progress scores are not published for this school, so it is hard to say how much value the school adds relative to starting points, but the raw outcomes are comfortably above the local norm.

The school offers a decent range of facilities including a library, playing fields, a gymnasium, art studios, music rooms and a chapel. Sports provision covers tennis, cricket, football, dance, cross country and gymnastics, and there are clubs such as book club, gardening, science club and eco club. SEND support is broad, covering specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, moderate learning difficulty, speech and language needs, hearing impairment, autistic spectrum disorder and social, emotional and mental health needs. With no nursery or sixth form, this is a straight-through primary for ages 4 to 11. Given its strong local reputation, oversubscribed intake and above-average outcomes, Broadwater is a good fit for families who prioritise academic standards and a well-structured, supportive environment, particularly those within the Church of England catchment.

Key Details

Frequently Asked Questions About Broadwater CofE Primary School

Helpful Guides for Parents