Three Bridges Primary School

About Three Bridges Primary School

Three Bridges Primary School sits below the local authority average on the key headline metric for primary schools. In the 2023/24 academic year, 41% of its pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared with a West Sussex average of 56%. That 15-point gap places the school 146th out of 226 primary schools in the county, and in the bottom half nationally. Within Crawley specifically, it ranks 15th out of 21 schools on the same measure. The school is also oversubscribed — 146 families applied for 57 places in the 2025/26 intake, with 50 first-preference offers made — suggesting it remains a popular choice locally despite the academic picture. The headteacher, Trudy Emberson, leads a large three-form entry school with 654 pupils on roll, close to its capacity of 687.

The most recent Ofsted inspection, in May 2024, rated the school Requires Improvement overall, a downgrade from its previous Good rating in 2014. The quality of education and early years provision were both judged to require improvement, while personal development, behaviour and attitudes, and leadership and management were all rated Good. At Key Stage 2, the school’s reading scores are the strongest area: 65% of pupils met the expected standard and 14% reached a higher standard, with an average scaled score of 103. Maths is weaker, with 49% at expected and just 8% at the higher level, and an average score of 100. Writing sits in between, with 53% meeting the expected standard. No pupils achieved the higher standard in writing or in the combined reading, writing and maths measure. Progress scores are not available for the most recent cohort, so it is not possible to say how much value the school adds relative to pupils’ starting points.

The school offers a broad range of facilities, including a sports hall, gymnasium, music rooms, ICT suite, sensory room and even a chapel. Sports provision covers football, cricket, rounders and cross country, while clubs include drama, choir, gardening, book club, eco club and film club. The nursery provision means children can join from age three. SEND support is extensive, with provisions for specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, moderate and severe learning difficulties, social, emotional and mental health needs, speech and language communication needs, visual impairment, physical disability, and a resourced provision. For families prioritising a school that is strong on personal development and behaviour, with a wide range of enrichment activities and SEND support, Three Bridges may still be a good fit. Those focused on academic outcomes might look at the nearest Outstanding-rated alternative, Forge Wood Primary School, 2.4 kilometres away.

Key Details

Frequently Asked Questions About Three Bridges Primary School

Helpful Guides for Parents