Sidlesham Primary School

About Sidlesham Primary School

Sidlesham Primary School is a small state primary in Chichester, West Sussex, with 136 pupils against a capacity of 140 — so it is running very close to full. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals stands at 20.6%, which is above the national average for primary schools and suggests a higher-than-typical level of disadvantage in the intake. Despite this, demand for places is strong: for the 2025/26 intake, the school received 55 applications for just 20 places, an oversubscription ratio of 2.75, with 18 first-preference offers made. That level of competition is notable for a school currently rated Requires Improvement by Ofsted, and it may reflect the limited number of primary options in the immediate area. The school is mixed, non-denominational, and serves ages 4 to 11, with no nursery or sixth form provision. Headteacher Sophia Koiston leads a team that has seen the school drop from a previous Good rating to its current Requires Improvement, following a graded inspection in June 2024.

Academically, the school’s most recent Key Stage 2 results from 2023/24 show a mixed picture. Just 32% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined — well below the local authority average of 56% for similar schools. In reading, 58% met the expected standard and 16% reached a higher standard, while in maths 63% met expectations and only 5% achieved the higher threshold. Writing was weaker, with just 32% at the expected level and none at the higher standard. The school’s ranking reflects these outcomes: it sits 34th out of 38 primary schools in the Chichester local authority area, placing it in the bottom 50 nationally. The Ofsted inspection from June 2024 rated overall effectiveness as Requires Improvement, with leadership and management and quality of education also judged Requires Improvement. However, behaviour and attitudes, and personal development, were both rated Good, which suggests the school maintains a positive environment even where academic outcomes need work.

The school offers a decent range of facilities for its size, including an art studio, ICT suite, library, playing fields, and a forest school area — the latter being a strong draw for families who value outdoor learning. Sports provision covers swimming, football, rounders and netball, and there is a good selection of clubs including drama, choir, book club, chess, film club and gardening. For children with additional needs, the school has identified provisions for social, emotional and mental health, speech, language and communication, autistic spectrum disorder, and other difficulties or disabilities. Given its oversubscription, families applying here need to be realistic about the chances of a place, especially if not living in the immediate catchment. This school will suit parents who prioritise a community feel and a broad club offer over headline exam results, and who are comfortable with a school that is actively working through an improvement plan following its recent Ofsted downgrade.

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