St Mary the Virgin Church of England Primary School

About St Mary the Virgin Church of England Primary School

St Mary the Virgin Church of England Primary School in Wealden is a small state primary with 80 pupils on roll against a capacity of 105, meaning it is not yet full. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals stands at 16.3%, which is above the national average for primary schools and suggests a more diverse intake than some of its local peers. The school is clearly in demand: for the 2025/26 admissions round, it received 21 applications for just 8 places, an oversubscription ratio of 2.63. Of those, 5 were first-preference applications, and all 5 received offers. That level of competition indicates a strong local reputation, particularly for a Church of England school in a rural area where parental choice can be limited. The school's religious character is reflected in its facilities, which include a chapel, and it is led by headteacher James Procter. With a gender-mixed intake from ages 4 to 11, it serves families across the Wealden area within the East Sussex local authority.

Academically, the school performs well against local benchmarks. In the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 assessments, 67% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, comfortably above the East Sussex local authority average of 59%. Reading was a particular strength, with 100% of pupils meeting the expected standard and 42% achieving a higher score. In writing, 75% met expectations and 25% reached the higher standard, while maths saw 83% at expected and 8% at higher. The school's average reading score was 107 and maths 103. Nationally, it ranks in the top 40.6% of all primary schools for the combined expected standard, and within Wealden it sits 15th out of 48 schools, placing it in the top third of the local authority. Its most recent Ofsted inspection in April 2025 confirmed a Good rating, with leadership and management, early years provision, and overall effectiveness all judged Good. The previous inspection in 2016 had rated the school Requires Improvement, so this represents a clear upward trajectory.

The school offers a solid range of facilities including a library, ICT suite, forest school, playing fields, and an art studio. Sports provision covers tennis, swimming, cricket, and gymnastics, while clubs include art, coding, science, and drama. For families with children who have special educational needs, the school lists provisions for dyslexia, speech and language needs, autistic spectrum disorder, and social and emotional mental health support. Parent feedback is overwhelmingly positive: 94% of respondents would recommend the school, and 100% agreed or strongly agreed that their child is happy and feels safe. However, the parent view survey had only 18 responses, so results should be taken as indicative rather than definitive. This is a school that suits families seeking a small, Church of England primary with strong academic outcomes relative to the local area, a clear sense of community, and a range of enrichment activities despite its size. The oversubscription means early application is advisable.

Key Details

Frequently Asked Questions About St Mary the Virgin Church of England Primary School

Helpful Guides for Parents