Varndean School

  • Secondary
  • Local authority maintained
  • Ages 11 to 16
Ofsted: Good

Balfour Road, Brighton, BN1 6NPOpen in maps

Varndean School is a secondary school in Brighton for ages 11 to 16. It is one of the 75 schools in Brighton and Hove. It ranks 2nd of 6 secondary schools in Brighton. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in October 2022.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 5 October 2022, report published 15 November 2022

Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Outstanding
Personal development
Outstanding
Leadership and management
Outstanding
Safeguarding
Met

Read the full Ofsted report

Exam results

GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25

299 pupils in the year group

Attainment 8 score48.8

48.8, 2.7 above the England average of 46.1.

Grade 5 or above in English and maths55.9%

55.9%, 10.5 percentage points above the England average of 45.4%.

Grade 4 or above in English and maths72.9%

72.9%, 8.1 percentage points above the England average of 64.8%.

Pupils entering the EBacc67.6%

67.6%, 27.1 percentage points above the England average of 40.5%.

EBacc average point score4.54

4.54, 0.45 above the England average of 4.09.

Pupil numbers and mix

1,487 pupils on roll, with places for 1,500

Eligible for free school meals23%

23%, 3.5 percentage points below the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language8.9%

8.9%, 12.7 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support29.5%

29.5%, 14.7 percentage points above the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan6.7%

6.7%, 0.7 percentage points above the England average of 6%.

Schools near Varndean School

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
Dorothy Stringer School0.3 milesOfsted: GoodAttainment 8: 53.3
Patcham High School0.9 milesOfsted: GoodAttainment 8: 45.5
Cardinal Newman Catholic School1 mileOfsted judgements: OutstandingAttainment 8: 50.4
Kings Brighton1 mileNo Ofsted inspectionAttainment 8: 2.5
The Montessori Place2 milesOfsted: OutstandingNot published

School details

School type
Community school
Sector
Local authority maintained
Age range
11 to 16
Gender
Mixed
Sixth form
No
Headteacher
Mrs Shelley Baker
Phone
01273561281
Website
varndean.co.uk
Address
Balfour Road, Brighton, BN1 6NP
Local authority
Brighton and Hove
URN
114579

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.