Carden Nursery and Primary School
County Oak Avenue, Brighton, BN1 8LUOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Carden Nursery and Primary School is a primary school in Brighton for ages 3 to 11. It is one of the 75 schools in Brighton and Hove. It ranks 24th of 34 primary schools in Brighton. Its latest Ofsted outcome is a report card, from an inspection in March 2026.
Ofsted report card
Inspected 3 March 2026, report published 28 April 2026
Each area is graded from urgent improvement to exceptional, and safeguarding is either met or not met.
- Inclusion
- Expected standard
- Curriculum and teaching
- Expected standard
- Achievement
- Needs attention
- Attendance and behaviour
- Expected standard
- Personal development and wellbeing
- Strong standard
- Leadership and governance
- Expected standard
- Early years
- Expected standard
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 3 March 2026
Pupils are confident, friendly and welcoming in this caring and inclusive school. Leaders and staff create a positive culture where pupils consider whether their actions are ‘good for me, good for you and good for everyone’. This helps pupils to make thoughtful choices, contributing to a happy and safe community. Pupils say that ‘everybody is welcome here’, and this is reflected in the respectful way they treat one another. Pupils trust staff to help them if they have concerns. Pupils understand what bullying is and know that staff deal with any issues quickly and effectively. Behaviour is positive across the school as a result of high expectations and well-understood routines from Nursery to Year 6. Pupils engage well in lessons and show enthusiasm for their learning. Playtimes are active, fun and joyful, and pupils enjoy spending time with their friends. Pupils achieve well with reading, writing and other subjects, such as art and physical education. Leaders are rightly focused on improving pupils' success with mathematics, where progress and achievement have been weaker. Attendance is improving because of the dedication and tenacity of leaders, staff and governors. The school works closely with families to remove barriers to attendance. As a result, absence is reducing for all groups of pupils, including those who are disadvantaged and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities. The school’s approach to equality and diversity is a strength. Pupils support their peers during prayer times and embrace different beliefs and traditions. Leaders provide a strong pastoral offer that boosts pupils’ wellbeing and enjoyment of school. A range of opportunities, including gardening, outdoor learning, swimming, music and sport, enrich pupils’ experiences. Pupils learn about fundamental British values, online safety and healthy relationships. As a result, they develop the character and knowledge they need for the next stage of their education.
What the school should improve
- Leaders should ensure that the teaching of mathematics is consistently effective so that pupils achieve well.
- Leaders should ensure that staff continue to refine how they adapt teaching so that all pupils learn as well as they can across the curriculum.
Exam results
SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25
42 pupils took the tests
Pupil numbers and mix
359 pupils on roll, with places for 420
Schools near Carden Nursery and Primary School
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Patcham Junior School | 0.6 miles | Ofsted: Good | 72% met the expected standard |
| Coldean Primary School | 0.7 miles | Ofsted: Good | 46% met the expected standard |
| Patcham Infant School | 0.8 miles | Ofsted: Good | Not published |
| Hertford Primary School | 1 mile | Ofsted judgements: Good to outstanding | 44% met the expected standard |
| Balfour Primary School | 1 mile | Ofsted: Good | 71% met the expected standard |
School details
- School type
- Community school
- Sector
- Local authority maintained
- Age range
- 3 to 11
- Gender
- Mixed
- Nursery classes
- Yes
- Headteacher
- Mrs Laura Sibley
- Phone
- 01273916606
- Address
- County Oak Avenue, Brighton, BN1 8LU
- Local authority
- Brighton and Hove
- URN
- 131789
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.