Ashurst CofE Primary School
School Lane, Ashurst, Steyning, BN44 3AYOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Ashurst CofE Primary School is a primary school in Steyning for ages 4 to 11. It is one of the 332 schools in West Sussex. It ranks 47th of 189 primary schools in West Sussex. Its latest Ofsted inspection, in September 2024, graded each key judgement and gave no overall Ofsted rating.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 24 September 2024, report published 25 November 2024
This inspection graded each key judgement and gave no overall effectiveness grade.
- Quality of education
- Good
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Good
- Personal development
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Early years provision
- Good
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 24 September 2024
Pupils enjoy coming to this village school. They are happy and build strong relationships with each other. Pupils know that staff are there to help and support them, and they know who to turn to if they have any worries. Consequently, as parents rightly summed up, it has a 'strong sense of community' and 'encourages every child to be the best they can be'. Pupils respond eagerly to the school's high expectations and aspirations for their achievement. Pupils behave very well. They rarely need reminding to do their best and they achieve well across a broad range of subjects. When needed, the school provides additional support for pupils to enable them to take part in all aspects of school life. This includes pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Personal development is a strength of the school. The school provides many opportunities to enhance the curriculum. This includes a residential trip, visits to museums and a tour of a local castle. Pupils also enjoy visits from the police, the fire service and local charities. They relish opportunities to contribute to the school community through pupil responsibilities, such as being young governors or house captains.
What the school should improve
- The early years curriculum is not as well thought through as it could be. This means that teaching can sometimes be about the activity rather than the learning, and staff do not always have clarity about the precise knowledge that needs to be taught. The school should ensure knowledge is clearly and consistently identified and sequenced, to support staff to know what to teach and when, and to help them plan appropriate activities.
Exam results
SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25
10 pupils took the tests
Pupil numbers and mix
48 pupils on roll, with places for 56
Schools near Ashurst CofE Primary School
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| St Peter's CofE Primary School | 2 miles | Ofsted: Good | 52% met the expected standard |
| Jolesfield CofE Primary School | 2 miles | Ofsted: Good | 71% met the expected standard |
| Steyning CofE Primary School | 3 miles | Ofsted: Good | 58% met the expected standard |
| Ashington CofE Primary School | 3 miles | Ofsted: Good | 60% met the expected standard |
| Upper Beeding Primary School | 3 miles | Ofsted judgements: Good to outstanding | 61% met the expected standard |
School details
- School type
- Voluntary aided school
- Sector
- Local authority maintained
- Age range
- 4 to 11
- Gender
- Mixed
- Religious character
- Church of England
- Nursery classes
- No
- Headteacher
- Headteacher Sarah Smith
- Phone
- 01403710426
- Address
- School Lane, Ashurst, Steyning, BN44 3AY
- Local authority
- West Sussex
- URN
- 126020
School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Exam results for 2024/25 from the Department for Education. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.