South Malling CofE Primary and Nursery School

  • Primary
  • Local authority maintained
  • Ages 3 to 11
Ofsted judgements: Good

Church Lane, Lewes, BN7 2HSOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

South Malling CofE Primary and Nursery School is a primary school in Lewes for ages 3 to 11. It is one of the 214 schools in East Sussex. It ranks 8th of 14 primary schools in Lewes. Its latest Ofsted inspection, in May 2025, graded each key judgement and gave no overall Ofsted rating.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 20 May 2025, report published 24 June 2025

This inspection graded each key judgement and gave no overall effectiveness grade.

Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good
Early years provision
Good
Safeguarding
Met

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 20 May 2025

This is a school where everyone is valued, cared for and respected. Relationships between staff and pupils are highly positive. Pupils are kind to each other. They enjoy spending time together, reflecting one of the school's star values of compassion and friendship. The school is ambitious for all pupils to learn well and succeed. Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) access the same opportunities as their peers. Pupils are proud of their achievements because successes are celebrated. The curriculum is supplemented with culture-rich experiences, such as visits to the theatre and the opera house. Staff have high expectations for pupils' behaviour. Pupils have positive attitudes. They are taught to understand their emotions and develop strategies to self-regulate and reflect on their behaviour. Pupils try hard to be the best they can. They support their peers to do the same. This results in a calm and purposeful environment, where pupils learn and play well together.

What the school should improve

  • In places, the writing curriculum is not implemented as well as it should be. This means that some pupils do not have a secure understanding of grammar, punctuation or spelling. The school should ensure that staff have the knowledge that they need to teach writing confidently and expertly so that more pupils achieve and exceed the expected standards in writing.
  • Some pupils who are disadvantaged and some of those with SEND do not attend school as much as they should. This means that they miss important learning and other valuable aspects of school life. The school should ensure that it strengthens its approach to improving attendance of these vulnerable pupils.

Exam results

SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25

30 pupils took the tests

Expected standard in reading, writing and maths67%

67%, 5 percentage points above the England average of 62%.

Higher standard in reading, writing and maths0%

0%, 8 percentage points below the England average of 8%.

Reading, average scaled score108

108, 2 above the England average of 106.

Maths, average scaled score105

105, the same as the England average.

Grammar, punctuation and spelling, average scaled score106

106, 1 above the England average of 105.

Pupil numbers and mix

230 pupils on roll, with places for 236

Eligible for free school meals16.1%

16.1%, 10.4 percentage points below the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language4.8%

4.8%, 16.8 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support9.6%

9.6%, 5.2 percentage points below the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan1.7%

1.7%, 4.3 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near South Malling CofE Primary and Nursery School

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
Southover CofE Primary School1 mileOfsted: Good60% met the expected standard
Western Road Community Primary School1 mileOfsted judgements: Good70% met the expected standard
Wallands Community Primary and Nursery School1 mileOfsted: Good53% met the expected standard
Hamsey Community Primary School2 milesOfsted: Good70% met the expected standard
Ringmer Primary and Nursery School2 milesOfsted: GoodNot published

School details

School type
Voluntary controlled school
Sector
Local authority maintained
Age range
3 to 11
Gender
Mixed
Religious character
Church of England
Nursery classes
Yes
Headteacher
Mrs Charlotte Roberts
Address
Church Lane, Lewes, BN7 2HS
Local authority
East Sussex
URN
114509

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.