Desmond Anderson Primary Academy
Anderson Road, Tilgate, Crawley, RH10 5EAOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Desmond Anderson Primary Academy is a primary school in Crawley for ages 2 to 11. It is one of the 332 schools in West Sussex. It ranks 17th of 22 primary schools in Crawley. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in October 2019.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 15 October 2019, report published 17 November 2019
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Quality of education
- Good
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Good
- Personal development
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Early years provision
- Requires improvement
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 24 June 2025
Everyone is welcome at Desmond Anderson. Pupils are very happy to be in school and cannot wait to get into the playground at the start of the day. The school's inclusive atmosphere means that everyone happily joins in with all that school has to offer. Pupils enthuse about clubs, trips and activities and those in Year 6 talk excitedly about the recent residential trip. The school regularly hums with the joyful sound of pupils singing during music lessons, including pupils in the school's specialist support centre (SSC), who performed songs beautifully during the inspection. Children in the early years thoroughly enjoy the wide range of interesting activities provided. Strong relationships and clear routines have helped them to settle into school life very well. Pupils say that everyone is kind in school. They are confident about talking to an adult if they have any worries and know that they will help to sort out any problems. Staff take good care of pupils, who feel safe and comfortable as a result. Pupils understand the school's high expectations. They work hard, behave well and are very polite. Pupils speak with understandable pride about their learning.
What the school should improve
- Sometimes, teachers do not check what pupils know and understand carefully enough before moving them on to new learning. When this is the case, key gaps and misconceptions are not addressed effectively. As a result, some pupils do not learn as well as they could. The school should ensure that all staff know how to use assessment efficiently to help all pupils progress effectively through the curriculum.
- Aspects of the writing curriculum, including the use of grammar, punctuation, letter formation and spelling, are not taught effectively enough. Where this is the case, the quality and accuracy of pupils' written work is variable. The school should ensure that staff have the knowledge they need to teach these key skills consistently well across the school.
Exam results
SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25
65 pupils took the tests
Pupil numbers and mix
434 pupils on roll, with places for 440
Schools near Desmond Anderson Primary Academy
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broadfield Primary Academy | 0.5 miles | Ofsted: Good | 77% met the expected standard |
| Southgate Primary | 0.5 miles | Ofsted: Good | 45% met the expected standard |
| The Oaks Primary School & Nursery | 0.6 miles | Ofsted judgements: Good | 72% met the expected standard |
| Hilltop Primary School | 0.6 miles | Ofsted: Good | 79% met the expected standard |
| St Francis of Assisi Catholic Primary School, Crawley | 0.7 miles | Ofsted: Good | 67% met the expected standard |
School details
- School type
- Academy converter
- Sector
- Academy
- Trust
- REACH2 ACADEMY TRUST
- Age range
- 2 to 11
- Gender
- Mixed
- Nursery classes
- Yes
- Headteacher
- Mrs Managey Powys
- Phone
- 01293525596
- Address
- Anderson Road, Tilgate, Crawley, RH10 5EA
- Local authority
- West Sussex
- URN
- 143973
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.