Chidham Parochial Primary School

About Chidham Parochial Primary School

Chidham Parochial Primary School’s headline Key Stage 2 results sit well above the West Sussex local authority average, marking it out as a strong performer in the area. While the LA average for pupils reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined sits at 56%, Chidham achieves 68% — a clear 12-point advantage. This places the school 37th out of 226 primary schools in the county, comfortably in the top quarter. Its overall ranking score of 68 puts it in the top 50 nationally for this metric, and within Chichester it ranks 4th out of 38 schools. The school is also oversubscribed: for 2025/26, it received 66 applications for just 26 places, with 25 of those coming as first preferences. That level of demand suggests local families recognise the school’s solid academic record and its Church of England character, which may appeal to those seeking a faith-based primary option.

Digging into the detail of the 2023/24 SATs, Chidham’s strongest subject is reading, where 89% of pupils met the expected standard and 25% reached the higher standard. Maths follows closely, with 82% at expected and 46% at the higher level — the latter a notably strong figure. Writing and the combined reading, writing and maths higher standard are more modest, at 4% each. The average scaled scores are 108 in maths and 106 in reading, both above the national benchmark of 100. The school’s most recent Ofsted inspection, in January 2024, rated it Good across every category: quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision. This is consistent with its previous Good rating from 2013, so there’s a track record of steady, reliable performance rather than dramatic swings.

The school is a Church of England primary for children aged 4 to 11, with a current roll of 172 pupils against a capacity of 210, so there is some headroom. Facilities include a library, forest school area, art and music rooms, a gymnasium, chapel, and playing fields. Sports on offer include tennis, netball, rounders, dance, gymnastics and cricket, while clubs range from drama and gardening to coding, eco club, science club and film club. The school supports children with specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia, moderate learning difficulties, social, emotional and mental health needs, and speech, language and communication needs. With 16.9% of pupils eligible for free school meals — slightly above the national average for primary schools — it serves a reasonably mixed intake. This is a school that suits families who value solid academic outcomes, a Christian ethos, and a broad range of enrichment activities within a relatively small, community-focused setting.

Key Details

Frequently Asked Questions About Chidham Parochial Primary School

Helpful Guides for Parents