Varndean School
🇬🇧 Official data · 2025Brighton, South East BN1 6NP · Brighton and Hove
#227 of 679 secondary schools in South East
#1106 of 4,090 nationally
About Varndean School
Varndean School is a local authority secondary located in Brighton, in the Brighton and Hove local authority of South East, England. It caters for Ages 11–16. In 2025 it enrolled 1,487 students. Community, voluntary-aided, voluntary-controlled and foundation schools maintained by the local authority; free to attend.
Its Success Index (England) is 68.1 out of 100, placing it in the top 50% of secondary schools in England and 227th of 679 ranked secondary schools in South East. Its strongest component is grade 5+ in english & maths (76th percentile), and its weakest is community advantage (fewer pupils on free school meals) (62th percentile).
Other published figures: pupils on roll 1,487; capacity filled 99.1%; grade 4+ english & maths 72.9%; ebacc average points 4.54.
There are 52 schools in Brighton; Varndean School ranks 8th of 48 scored schools there.
Success Index (England) breakdown
Each component is a percentile against secondary schools across England.
- KS2: reading, writing & maths expected standard (35%)–
- KS2: higher standard (20%)–
- KS2: reading progress (10%)–
- KS2: maths progress (10%)–
- Progress 8 (20%)–
- Attainment 8 (30%)48.8
- Grade 5+ in English & maths (15%)55.9%
- A level points per entry (10%)–
- Community advantage (fewer pupils on free school meals) (15%)23%
The Success Index (England) summarises published data about a school community. It is not a measure of teaching quality. Read the methodology.
Published measures
All figures published for Varndean School by the official sources.
- Pupils on roll
- 1,487
- Number of pupils in the latest school census.
- Free school meals
- 23%
- Percentage of pupils eligible for free school meals.
- Capacity filled
- 99.1%
- Pupils on roll as a share of the school's reported capacity.
- Attainment 8
- 48.8
- Average GCSE points across eight subjects.
- Grade 5+ English & maths
- 55.9%
- Share of pupils with a strong pass in both English and maths GCSE.
- Grade 4+ English & maths
- 72.9%
- Share of pupils with a standard pass in both English and maths GCSE.
- EBacc average points
- 4.54
- Average point score across the English Baccalaureate subjects.
Free academic assessment
Is your child on track for their SATs and GCSEs?
Success Tutoring offers personalised English and maths tutoring mapped to the National Curriculum. Start with a free online assessment and a clear plan for the year ahead.
- Personalised learning plan mapped to the Australian Curriculum
- English & Maths from Kindergarten to Year 12
- Flexible memberships, no lock-in contracts
- Centres across NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA and ACT
Schools near Varndean School
Closest schools by straight-line distance, with their Success Index (England).
Balfour Primary School
Brighton · Local authority primary · Ages 4–11
695 students · 294 m away
Dorothy Stringer School
Brighton · Local authority secondary · Ages 11–16
1,626 students · 465 m away
St Bernadette's Catholic Primary School
Brighton · Local authority primary · Ages 4–11
220 students · 1.0 km away
Hertford Primary School
Brighton · Local authority primary · Ages 4–11
205 students · 1.0 km away
Downs Junior School
Brighton · Local authority primary · Ages 7–11
495 students · 1.2 km away
Downs Infant School
Brighton · Local authority primary · Ages 5–7
289 students · 1.4 km away
Patcham High School
Brighton · Local authority secondary · Ages 11–16
1,074 students · 1.4 km away
Patcham Infant School
Brighton · Local authority primary · Ages 3–7
272 students · 1.4 km away
Patcham Junior School
Brighton · Local authority primary · Ages 7–11
353 students · 1.6 km away
Carden Nursery and Primary School
Brighton · Local authority primary · Ages 3–11
359 students · 1.6 km away
Similar schools
Local authority secondary schools in South East with a comparable Pupils on roll.
Crestwood Community School
Eastleigh · Local authority secondary · Ages 11–16
1,478 students
Alderwood School
Aldershot · Local authority all-through · Ages 4–16
1,471 students
Tanbridge House School
Horsham · Local authority secondary · Ages 11–16
1,510 students
Felpham Community College
Bognor Regis · Local authority secondary · Ages 11–18
1,520 students
Garth Hill College
Bracknell · Local authority secondary · Ages 11–18
1,452 students
Sackville School
East Grinstead · Local authority secondary · Ages 11–18
1,525 students
Frequently asked questions
Is Varndean School a good school?
Varndean School has a Success Index (England) of 68.1 out of 100 (Top 50% of secondary schools in England) and ranks #227 of 679 in South East. The index summarises published data about the school community and, where available, attainment; it does not measure teaching quality, so visit the school and ask about support at your child's level.
Where does Varndean School rank in South East?
Varndean School ranks #227 of 679 secondary schools in South East and #1106 of 4,090 nationally on the Success Index (England) (2025 data).
How many students attend Varndean School?
Varndean School had 1,487 students in 2025.
Is Varndean School a primary school or a secondary school?
Varndean School is classified as a secondary covering Ages 11–16. It is a local authority school.
What other schools are near Varndean School?
There are 10 schools within 15 km of Varndean School; they are listed on this page with their Success Index (England) and distance, and can be compared side by side.