Park Mead Primary School

About Park Mead Primary School

Park Mead Primary School is a small state primary in Wealden, East Sussex, with just 88 pupils on roll against a capacity of 105, meaning it has room to grow. Its intake reflects a higher-than-average level of disadvantage for a primary: 18.2% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, compared with a national average of around 23% but notably above the typical figure for a village school in the South East. The school is clearly in demand. For the 2025/26 reception intake, it received 50 applications for just 15 places, an oversubscription ratio of 3.33 to one. Of those, 17 families put it as their first preference, and 13 were offered a place. That level of competition suggests a strong local reputation, particularly given the school’s modest size and rural setting. The headteacher is James Procter, and the school has no religious character.

Academically, Park Mead performs solidly against local benchmarks. In the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 tests, 64% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, which is above the East Sussex local authority average of 59%. The school’s ranking score of 64 places it 18th out of 48 primary schools in Wealden, putting it in the top 40% locally. Nationally, it sits in the 47th percentile. Average scores in reading (104) and maths (102) are both above the national baseline of 100. The proportion of pupils reaching the higher standard is modest — 7% in reading, writing and maths combined — but the school’s most recent Ofsted inspection in 2024 rated overall effectiveness as Good, with leadership and management judged Outstanding. The previous graded inspection in 2015 had rated the school as Requires Improvement, so this marks a clear upward trajectory.

The school offers a strong set of facilities for its size, including a Forest School, sports hall, playing fields, library, ICT suite, sensory room and even a chapel. SEND provision covers five areas: specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, speech and language needs, hearing impairment, autistic spectrum disorder, and social, emotional and mental health support. Parent View responses from 28 families in the 2024–25 period show 79% would recommend the school, though the data also reveals some division: 11% strongly disagreed that their child is happy, and 14% disagreed that concerns are dealt with properly. Clubs include drama, art, film, science, chess and eco club, and sports on offer are gymnastics, athletics, football, tennis, rounders and swimming. This is a school that suits families who value a small, community-focused setting with strong leadership and improving outcomes, but who are prepared for a competitive admissions process.

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