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Choosing the right primary school for your child can be a daunting task, especially when there are so many great options available. To simplify this process, we have compiled a list of the top 23 state primary schools in East and West Sussex, including Brighton and Hove.

These schools have been ranked based on the percentage of pupils who completed key stage 2 in the last school year and met the government's expected standards in reading, writing, and maths. The schools selected have surpassed both the national and local authority area's averages, thus earning their place in our list of the very best.

Notably, all the schools on our list had an overall Ofsted rating of 'good' or 'outstanding' before this measure was discontinued, indicating that they meet or exceed government standards across various aspects, including education quality, student behaviour and attitudes, school leadership and management, and student safeguarding.

From smaller village and community schools to larger institutions in bustling centres like Crawley and Brighton, these schools have demonstrated excellence in education. Here are the top 23 schools that have made it to our list:

1. St Augustine's Church of England Primary School, Scaynes Hill - It was formerly rated ‘good’ by Ofsted, and has a little under 100 pupils on its roll. In 2023, 100% of its pupils met the expected standards in reading, writing and maths, compared to 56% locally and 60% nationally.
2. Heron Way Primary School, Horsham - It had 412 young students in the last school year, and was formerly rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted. In 2023, 96% of its pupils met the expected standards in reading, writing and maths, compared to 56% locally and 60% nationally.
3. St Peter and St Paul Church of England Primary School, Bexhill-on-Sea - With about 416 students, it was formerly rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted. In 2023, 90% of its pupils met the expected standards in reading, writing and maths, compared to 56% locally and 60% nationally.
4. Hurst Green Church of England Primary School and Nursery, Hurst Green - It was formerly rated ‘good’ by Ofsted. In 2023, 86% of its pupils met the expected standards in reading, writing and maths, compared to 56% locally and 60% nationally.
5. Park Mead Primary School, Upper Dicker - It was formerly rated ‘good’ by Ofsted. In 2023, it too had 86% of its pupils meet the expected standards in reading, writing and maths, compared to 56% locally and 60% nationally.
6. Ark Blacklands Primary Academy, Hastings - In 2023, 85% of its pupils met the expected standards in reading, writing and maths, compared to 56% locally and 60% nationally.
7. Harlands Primary School, Uckfield - It was formerly rated ‘good’ by Ofsted. In 2023, 83% of its pupils met the expected standards in reading, writing and maths, compared to 56% locally and 60% nationally.
8. Laughton Community Primary School, Laughton - Formerly rated ‘good’ by Ofsted. In 2023, 83% of its pupils also met the expected standards in reading, writing and maths, compared to 56% locally and 60% nationally.
9. Our Lady of Lourdes RC School, Rottingdean - It was formerly rated ‘good’ by Ofsted. In 2023, 83% of its pupils met the expected standards in reading, writing and maths, compared to an average of 60% both locally and nationally.
10. Western Road Community Primary School, Lewes - It was formerly rated ‘good’ by Ofsted. In 2023, 83% of its pupils also met the expected standards in reading, writing and maths, compared to 56% locally and 60% nationally.
11. Staplecross Methodist Primary School, Robertsbridge - It was formerly rated ‘good’ by Ofsted. In 2023, 82% of its pupils also met the expected standards in reading, writing and maths, compared to 56% locally and 60% nationally.
12. Little Common School, Bexhill-on-Sea - It was formerly rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted. In 2023, 81% of its pupils also met the expected standards in reading, writing and maths, compared to 56% locally and 60% nationally.
13. Peter Gladwin Primary School, Portslade - It was formerly rated ‘good’ by Ofsted. In 2023, 81% of its pupils met the expected standards in reading, writing and maths, compared to an average of 60% both locally and nationally.
14. Turners Hill Church of England Primary School, Turners Hill - It was formerly rated ‘good’ by Ofsted. In 2023, it too had 81% of its pupils meet the expected standards in reading, writing and maths, compared to 56% locally and 60% nationally.
15. Beckley Church of England Primary School, Beckley - It was formerly rated ‘good’ by Ofsted. In 2023, 80% of its pupils also met the expected standards in reading, writing and maths, compared to 56% locally and 60% nationally.
16. Blackthorns Community Primary Academy, Haywards Heath - It was formerly rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted. In 2023, 79% of its pupils also met the expected standards in reading, writing and maths, compared to averages of 56% locally and 60% nationally.
17. Pound Hill Junior School, Crawley - It was formerly rated ‘good’ by Ofsted. In 2023, 79% of its pupils also met the expected standards in reading, writing and maths, compared to averages of 56% locally and 60% nationally.
18. St Margaret's Church of England Primary School, Crawley - It was formerly rated ‘good’ by Ofsted. In 2023, 79% of its pupils also met the expected standards in reading, writing and maths, compared to averages of 56% locally and 60% nationally.
19. St Mary the Virgin Church of England Primary School, Hartfield - It was formerly rated ‘good’ by Ofsted. In 2023, 79% of its pupils also met the expected standards in reading, writing and maths, compared to 56% locally and 60% nationally.
20. Blackboys Church of England Primary School, Uckfield - It was formerly rated ‘good’ by Ofsted. In 2023, 78% of its pupils also met the expected standards in reading, writing and maths, compared to 56% locally and 60% nationally.
21. Carlton Hill Primary School, Brighton - It was formerly rated ‘good’ by Ofsted. In 2023, 78% of its pupils met the expected standards in reading, writing and maths, compared to an average of 60% both locally and nationally.
22. Icklesham Church of England Primary School, Icklesham - It was formerly rated ‘good’ by Ofsted. In 2023, 78% of its pupils also met the expected standards in reading, writing and maths, compared to 56% locally and 60% nationally.
23. Tangmere Primary Academy, Chichester - It was formerly rated ‘good’ by Ofsted. In 2023, 78% of its pupils also met the expected standards in reading, writing and maths, compared to 56% locally and 60% nationally.

Sussex's top-performing state primary schools are a testament to the region's commitment to providing high-quality education. Whether your child is just starting their educational journey or looking to transfer, these schools offer an excellent foundation for their future academic success.