Harlands Primary School

About Harlands Primary School

Harlands Primary School in Mid Sussex is a state primary for mixed-gender pupils aged 4 to 11, and it is currently running at or just above its stated capacity of 450 with 457 pupils enrolled. The school serves a relatively affluent intake: only 2.6% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the national average of around 23%. Demand is high — for the 2025/26 admissions cycle, the school received 190 applications for 60 places, an oversubscription ratio of 3.17. Of those, 61 were first-preference applications, and 55 first-preference offers were made, indicating that most families who put it top got in, but competition remains stiff. The school is non-religious and does not have nursery provision or a sixth form. Headteacher David McKeown-Webster leads a school that has held a Good Ofsted rating since its 2013 graded inspection, with the most recent ungraded inspection in 2023 confirming it remains Good.

Academically, Harlands performs well above the local authority average. At Key Stage 2 in 2023/24, 69% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared with a West Sussex average of 56%. Reading scores were particularly strong: 92% met the expected standard and 37% achieved the higher standard, with an average scaled score of 107. Maths also performed well, with 82% at expected and an average score of 106. Writing was slightly lower, with 79% at expected and just 6% at the higher standard. The school ranks 6th out of 30 primary schools in Mid Sussex on the KS2 reading, writing and maths expected measure, placing it in the top 20% locally. Nationally, it sits in the 32nd percentile, which is solid but not elite. There is no progress score data available, so it is not possible to say how much value the school adds relative to starting points.

The school offers a broad range of facilities including a Forest School, sensory room, art studios, sports hall, gymnasium and a chapel. Sports provision covers swimming, football, gymnastics, athletics, netball and cricket, and there are clubs for coding, gardening, science, film and art. SEND support is well-documented, with provisions for dyslexia, speech and language needs, hearing and visual impairments, autistic spectrum disorder and social, emotional and mental health. The nearest Outstanding-rated school is Blackthorns Community Primary Academy, 1.7 km away, which may be relevant for families weighing options. Harlands is a strong, oversubscribed community primary that suits families who value solid academic outcomes, good facilities and a well-supported inclusive environment, particularly those living within the Mid Sussex catchment.

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