Blackthorns Community Primary School
3 Blackthorns Close, Lindfield, Haywards Heath, RH16 2UAOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Blackthorns Community Primary School is a primary school in Haywards Heath for ages 4 to 11. It is one of the 332 schools in West Sussex. It ranks 1st of 17 primary schools in Haywards Heath. Its latest Ofsted rating is Outstanding, from an inspection in September 2018.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 18 September 2018, report published 31 October 2018
- Overall effectiveness
- Outstanding
- Leadership and management
- Outstanding
- Early years provision
- Outstanding
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 23 June 2026
This is a safe and welcoming school. Each morning, pupils are greeted by kind and friendly staff. Pupils, including children in the early years, settle quickly due to the well understood routines. Adults know pupils well and value everyone as an individual. Pupils form positive relationships with staff and with each another. They show care for their friends and look out for younger pupils. Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) take part in all aspects of school life. Many join clubs, including sports and choir. Pupils also have the chance to take on leadership roles, such as play leaders or house captains. They are proud to undertake these responsibilities. These opportunities help them build self-esteem and strengthen their connection to the school. Children in the early years get off to a great start, which helps prepare them well for future learning. Pupils enjoy lessons and talk excitedly about what they have learned. They achieve very well. Staff explain ideas clearly and give the right support, when pupils need it. This precise help ensures that barriers to learning are addressed for pupils with SEND. As a result, pupils make good progress from their starting points. Work produced by pupils is of a high quality and reflects the pride they take in their learning. As pupils move through the school, they grow in confidence, resilience and independence. Attendance is high because pupils enjoy school and feel valued. Pupils show positive attitudes to their learning because staff model calm, respectful behaviour. Routines are clearly understood by pupils so disruption to learning is rare. Bullying is uncommon and staff act quickly when concerns arise. By the time they leave Blackthorns, pupils are ready for the next stage of their education.
What the school should improve
- Leaders should ensure that highly effective teaching is embedded across subjects and year groups.
- Leaders should continue to embed the personal development programme to ensure pupils are very well prepared for life beyond school.
Exam results
SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25
30 pupils took the tests
Pupil numbers and mix
203 pupils on roll, with places for 210
Schools near Blackthorns Community Primary School
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lindfield Primary Academy | 0.2 miles | Ofsted: Outstanding | 70% met the expected standard |
| Warden Park Primary Academy | 0.7 miles | Ofsted: Good | 60% met the expected standard |
| St Joseph's Catholic Primary School | 0.9 miles | Ofsted: Good | 67% met the expected standard |
| St Wilfrid's CofE Primary School | 0.9 miles | Ofsted: Good | 63% met the expected standard |
| Northlands Wood Primary Academy | 1 mile | Ofsted: Good | 67% met the expected standard |
School details
- School type
- Academy converter
- Sector
- Academy
- Trust
- HURST EDUCATION TRUST LIMITED
- Age range
- 4 to 11
- Gender
- Mixed
- Nursery classes
- No
- Headteacher
- Mrs Emma Saunders
- Phone
- 01444454866
- Address
- 3 Blackthorns Close, Lindfield, Haywards Heath, RH16 2UA
- Local authority
- West Sussex
- URN
- 141892
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.