West Hove Infant School

About West Hove Infant School

West Hove Infant School is a state primary for children aged 5 to 7 in Brighton and Hove, and it is clearly a popular choice among local families. The school has a capacity of 540 pupils and currently enrols 505, meaning it is running close to full. For the 2025/26 intake, the school received 238 applications for just 105 places, making it oversubscribed with an oversubscription ratio of 2.27. Of those applicants, 98 put the school as their first preference, and all 98 were offered a place. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals stands at 19.7%, which is worth noting in the context of the local authority average for primary schools. The school is led by headteacher Maddie Southern and has no religious character. Its most recent Ofsted inspection, carried out in November 2024, awarded it an Outstanding rating across every category judged, including quality of education, early years provision, personal development, behaviour and attitudes, and leadership and management.

Academically, West Hove Infant School has a strong track record. In its most recent Ofsted inspection, the school received the highest possible grade of Outstanding for quality of education, personal development, behaviour and attitudes, and early years provision. This is a significant achievement, as only three out of 48 primary schools in the Brighton and Hove local authority hold an Outstanding rating. The school’s previous inspection, in 2013, also rated it Outstanding overall, so the school has maintained a consistently high standard over time. While the data does not include specific Key Stage 2 SATs results for this infant school, the local authority average for KS2 attainment is 59, and the school’s strong Ofsted outcomes suggest it is performing well above that benchmark. Parent feedback is overwhelmingly positive: 96% of the 157 respondents would recommend the school, and 83% strongly agreed that their child is happy there. The school also scores highly on communication, with 78% of parents strongly agreeing that the school makes them aware of what their child will learn.

The school offers a wide range of facilities and activities that support both academic and personal development. On site, there is an ICT suite, library, art studios, music rooms, a sports hall, playing fields, a sensory room, and a forest school area. Clubs include book club, science club, art club, film club, coding, and eco club, while sports provision covers football, rounders, netball, and cricket. For children with additional needs, the school lists SEND provisions for specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, speech and language communication needs, hearing impairment, multi-sensory impairment, physical disability, autistic spectrum disorder, and social, emotional and mental health needs. Parent views on SEND support are mixed: 54% strongly agreed that the school gives SEND children the support they need, but 12% disagreed and 4% strongly disagreed. The school is not a boarding school and does not have a nursery or sixth form. Given its strong Ofsted record, high demand for places, and broad range of enrichment activities, this school will particularly suit families who value a well-resourced, community-focused infant school with a proven track record of excellence.

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