St Peter's Catholic Primary School

About St Peter's Catholic Primary School

St Peter's Catholic Primary School in Adur is a state primary for children aged 4 to 11, and it currently operates below its full capacity of 210 pupils, with 193 on roll. That leaves some headroom, but the school is clearly in demand: for the 2025/26 intake, it received 76 applications for just 30 places, with 31 of those coming as first preferences. The oversubscription ratio sits at 2.53, meaning nearly three families compete for every spot. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 10.9%, which is notably lower than the national average for primary schools, suggesting a relatively affluent local intake. As a Roman Catholic school, its religious character likely shapes its admissions criteria, and the strong first-preference numbers indicate it holds a solid reputation among local families. The school is led by headteacher Kate Crees and sits within the West Sussex local authority.

Academically, St Peter's performs well above the local average. In the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 assessments, 78% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared to a West Sussex average of just 56%. The school ranks first among 11 primaries in Adur and sits in the top 25% nationally for this combined measure. Reading and writing scores are particularly strong: 93% of pupils reached the expected standard in both subjects, and average scaled scores of 107 in reading and maths are comfortably above the national benchmark of 100. At the higher standard, 30% achieved in reading and maths, and 11% across all three subjects. The school's most recent Ofsted inspection, in 2018, rated it Good overall, with Good for leadership and management. This represents a clear improvement from its 2012 inspection, when it was judged to require improvement.

The school offers a solid range of facilities including a library, ICT suite, music rooms, a chapel, and both a gymnasium and sports hall. Outdoor provision includes a playground and playing fields, and pupils can take part in football, netball, cricket, rounders and dance. Clubs such as film, coding and eco club add variety. For families with children who have additional needs, St Peter's lists support for a wide range of SEND categories, including autistic spectrum disorder, speech and language needs, and social, emotional and mental health difficulties. The school does not have a nursery or sixth form. Given its oversubscription, it is best suited to families who can prioritise it as a first choice, particularly those aligned with its Catholic ethos. Its strong academic results and Good Ofsted rating make it a compelling option within Adur.

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