Barcombe Church of England Primary School
Barcombe Cross, Lewes, BN8 5DNOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Barcombe Church of England Primary School is a primary school in Lewes for ages 4 to 11. It is one of the 214 schools in East Sussex. It ranks 7th of 14 primary schools in Lewes. Its latest Ofsted inspection, in February 2025, graded each key judgement and gave no overall Ofsted rating.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 11 February 2025, report published 19 March 2025
This inspection graded each key judgement and gave no overall effectiveness grade.
- Quality of education
- Good
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Outstanding
- Personal development
- Outstanding
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Early years provision
- Good
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 11 February 2025
This is 'a small and mighty school where everyone flourishes in the heart of the community'. Being kind is important. Pupils nominate each other for acts of kindness, which are proudly displayed on the school's 'kindness rainbow'. Pupils understand the significance of the school's values, such as perseverance, compassion and courage. These virtues reflect the school's high expectations and ensure that all pupils feel safe and cared for. Pupils work hard. They focus and show interest and resilience in their learning. They value their education and attend school regularly. Pupils' behaviour is exemplary in class and during breaktimes. They are polite and highly respectful to each other and staff. During social times, older pupils play alongside younger pupils, modelling turn-taking and teamwork. The school helps pupils to be confident and accomplished leaders. Roles such as librarians, 'digital leaders' and 'worship wardens' help pupils learn about responsibility. Pupils are proud to represent their school. They are encouraged to have a voice. The school listens and is proactive in implementing pupils' ideas. For example, the school council is currently working on a federation project to write a 'Barcombe recipe book'.
What the school should improve
- Some pupils are not given sufficient opportunity to develop and secure the core foundations of writing. Handwriting, spelling and punctuation errors are not routinely identified and addressed. As a result, some pupils find it difficult to write accurately, which slows their progress. The school should ensure that the staff have the knowledge to develop pupils' foundational knowledge in writing fully effectively.
- The school has not addressed gaps and misconceptions in some pupils' foundational mathematical knowledge. This means that some pupils struggle to apply their understanding of multiplication to different situations. The school should ensure that these historical gaps in some pupils' knowledge are addressed effectively.
Exam results
SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25
16 pupils took the tests
Pupil numbers and mix
132 pupils on roll, with places for 140
Schools near Barcombe Church of England Primary School
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hamsey Community Primary School | 2 miles | Ofsted: Good | 70% met the expected standard |
| Chailey St Peter's Church of England Primary School | 3 miles | Ofsted judgements: Good to outstanding | 27% met the expected standard |
| Newick Church of England Primary School | 3 miles | Ofsted judgements: Good to outstanding | 67% met the expected standard |
| Ringmer Primary and Nursery School | 3 miles | Ofsted: Good | Not published |
| South Malling CofE Primary and Nursery School | 3 miles | Ofsted judgements: Good | 67% met the expected standard |
School details
- School type
- Voluntary controlled school
- Sector
- Local authority maintained
- Age range
- 4 to 11
- Gender
- Mixed
- Religious character
- Church of England
- Nursery classes
- No
- Headteacher
- Mr Matthew Dean
- Phone
- 01273400287
- Address
- Barcombe Cross, Lewes, BN8 5DN
- Local authority
- East Sussex
- URN
- 114488
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.