Our Lady of Lourdes RC School

About Our Lady of Lourdes RC School

Our Lady of Lourdes RC School is a popular choice among local families, and the numbers back that up. For the 2025/26 intake, the school received 92 applications for just 31 places, giving an oversubscription ratio of 2.97. That means nearly three families applied for every available spot, and even among first-preference applicants, only 31 out of 34 were offered a place. While the school does not publish a parent recommendation percentage, this level of demand is a strong signal that families in Brighton and Hove rate it highly. The school is a Roman Catholic primary for mixed genders aged 4 to 11, led by headteacher Anita Philbrook. It currently has 214 pupils on roll, very close to its capacity of 218, and 12.1 per cent of pupils are eligible for free school meals. In its most recent ungraded Ofsted inspection in March 2024, the school was judged to have 'remained Good', consistent with its previous graded inspection in 2014, where it also received a Good overall effectiveness rating.

Academically, the school performs broadly in line with the local average. In the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 assessments, 59 per cent of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, exactly matching the Brighton and Hove local authority average of 59 per cent. This places the school 25th out of 40 primary schools in the LA, putting it in the bottom half locally but still on par with the typical outcome for the area. Looking at individual subjects, 78 per cent of pupils met the expected standard in reading, 72 per cent in writing, and 81 per cent in maths. At the higher standard, the picture is more mixed: 31 per cent achieved higher in reading, 22 per cent in maths, but only 3 per cent in both writing and the combined measure. Average scaled scores were 107 in reading and 106 in maths, both slightly above the national benchmark of 100. The school does not have a sixth form, as it is a primary-only setting.

The school offers a solid range of facilities including a library, sensory room, dining hall, art studios, playing fields, gymnasium and a chapel. Sports provision covers athletics, swimming, cricket, tennis, football, gymnastics and rounders, and there are a few lunchtime or after-school clubs such as science club, art club and film club. For families with children who have additional needs, the school lists SEND provisions for specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, social, emotional and mental health needs, speech, language and communication needs, multi-sensory impairment, and autistic spectrum disorder. Given its strong oversubscription, this is a school that suits families who are committed to a Catholic primary education and are prepared to apply early and list it as a first preference. It is not a boarding or nursery provider, so it is strictly for primary-age day pupils.

Key Details

Frequently Asked Questions About Our Lady of Lourdes RC School

Helpful Guides for Parents