Hawthorns Primary School

About Hawthorns Primary School

Hawthorns Primary School in Worthing is a state primary that, on the surface, looks quite different from the West Sussex average. The local authority’s average Key Stage 2 score sits at 56, a benchmark the school’s most recent data doesn’t publicly match, and its Ofsted rating of Requires Improvement places it well outside the 7 outstanding primaries among the 226 in the county. The school is also significantly oversubscribed — 56 applications for 19 places in the 2025/26 admissions round, with all 19 first-preference offers taken up — which suggests strong local demand despite the headline metrics. With 33.3% of pupils eligible for free school meals, well above the national average, Hawthorns serves a community with higher-than-typical disadvantage, and its small roll of 183 pupils against a capacity of 210 means there is some room to grow. The contrast between its inspection rating and its popularity is worth exploring further.

Academically, the picture is mixed. In its most recent Ofsted inspection from October 2021, the school received a grade 3 (Requires Improvement) for overall effectiveness, quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, and leadership and management. However, early years provision and personal development were both rated grade 2 (Good), indicating strengths in the youngest children’s experiences and in how the school supports character and wellbeing. The previous inspection in March 2018 also rated overall effectiveness as Requires Improvement, with leadership and management at the same level, so there has been no upward movement across the two graded inspections. The school does not publish its own Key Stage 2 results in the data provided, so direct comparison with the West Sussex average of 56 is not possible here, but the Ofsted breakdown suggests that while some areas are improving, core academic delivery remains a concern. Parents considering Hawthorns should look closely at the most recent SATs outcomes and ask the school directly about progress measures.

On the practical side, Hawthorns offers a decent range of facilities for a primary of its size, including music rooms, a gymnasium, an ICT suite, a dining hall, an outdoor playground, and even a chapel — unusual for a school with no religious character. Sports provision covers netball, swimming, cross country, and tennis, while clubs include drama, film club, book club, and choir. The school’s SEND provisions are notably broad, covering specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, moderate learning difficulty, social emotional and mental health needs, speech language and communication issues, hearing impairment, physical disability, and autistic spectrum disorder — making it a potentially strong choice for families whose children require additional support. There is also nursery provision for younger children. The school is oversubscribed by nearly three applications per place, so early application is essential. Hawthorns will suit families who value a small, inclusive primary with strong early years and personal development, but who are prepared to engage actively with the school on academic improvement.

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