Harbour Primary and Nursery School
Church Hill, Newhaven, BN9 9LXOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Harbour Primary and Nursery School is a primary school in Newhaven for ages 4 to 11. It is one of the 214 schools in East Sussex. It ranks 15th of 129 primary schools in East Sussex. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in May 2016.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 4 May 2016, report published 25 May 2016
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Early years provision
- Outstanding
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 11 March 2025
Pupils learn to be bold and polite at this caring and vibrant school. The school motto of 'always be curious' is evident in pupils' eagerness to know and do more. Pupils are respectful of the school rules so that everyone can feel included and learn well. Staff have high expectations of what pupils should achieve. This helps pupils take responsibility for their learning, knowing that mistakes are an important part of learning. Pupils show kindness in the way they demonstrate good manners to all members of their community. They feel safe because nurturing staff provide effective support. The school's values, such as respect, are evident in the way that pupils talk about people with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Pupils learn about the important contributions that disabled role models make to life. Pupils with SEND make a tangible contribution to school life. The school ensures that pupils with SEND have important representation on the school council. They influence important decisions such as making sure there are inclusive quiet spaces at breaktime for pupils to enjoy. Pupils get a good deal. Dedicated staff ensure that pupils' needs are well met, ensuring they are well prepared for their next steps.
What the school should improve
- There is some inconsistency in how effectively staff check that pupils have a secure understanding of the important knowledge and skills that they need. For some pupils, gaps in learning are not addressed swiftly, meaning they do not learn as well as could. The school should ensure that staff use with the school's assessment strategies efficiently to identify and address gaps in pupils learning consistently.
- In some lessons, teachers do not adapt learning to help pupils deepen and extend their knowledge and skills. As a result, some pupils do not achieve as well as they could. The school should ensure that teachers design learning with greater precision to enable pupils to achieve more highly across the curriculum.
Exam results
SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25
58 pupils took the tests
Pupil numbers and mix
473 pupils on roll, with places for 480
Schools near Harbour Primary and Nursery School
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breakwater Academy | 0.4 miles | Ofsted: Good | 81% met the expected standard |
| High Cliff Academy | 0.4 miles | Report card: Expected standard | 76% met the expected standard |
| Denton Community Primary School and Nursery | 1 mile | Ofsted: Good | 52% met the expected standard |
| Meridian Community Primary School and Nursery | 2 miles | Ofsted: Good | 31% met the expected standard |
| Peacehaven Heights Academy | 2 miles | Ofsted judgements: Good | 79% met the expected standard |
School details
- School type
- Community school
- Sector
- Local authority maintained
- Age range
- 4 to 11
- Gender
- Mixed
- Nursery classes
- No
- Headteacher
- Mr Adam Sutton
- Phone
- 01273514532
- Address
- Church Hill, Newhaven, BN9 9LX
- Local authority
- East Sussex
- URN
- 114441
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.