Ardingly College vs Balcombe Cofe Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in South East, England, 3.7 km apart, using official English 2025 data. The better value in each row is highlighted.
Ardingly College
Haywards Heath · Independent all-through · Ages 2–20
1,056 students
Balcombe Cofe Primary School
Haywards Heath · Academy primary · Ages 4–11
140 students
| Measure | Ardingly College Haywards Heath, South East | Balcombe Cofe Primary School Haywards Heath, South East |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index (England) | 19 Lower 50% | 53 Top 50% |
| Region rank | #591 of 679 | #1284 of 2,471 |
| National rank | #3622 of 4,090 | #7309 of 15,697 |
| Sector | Independent | Academy |
| Type | All-through | Primary |
| Year range | Ages 2–20 | Ages 4–11 |
| Students | 1,056 | 140 |
| Pupils on roll | 1,056 | 140 |
| Free school meals | – | 7.9% |
| Capacity filled | 93.5% | 93.3% |
| KS2 expected standard (RWM) | – | 63% |
| KS2 higher standard (RWM) | – | 5% |
| KS2 reading progress | – | – |
| KS2 writing progress | – | – |
| KS2 maths progress | – | – |
| Attainment 8 | 7.0 | – |
| Progress 8 | – | – |
| Grade 5+ English & maths | 0% | – |
| Grade 4+ English & maths | 0% | – |
| EBacc average points | 0.18 | – |
| A level points per entry | 43.7 | – |
| town | Haywards Heath | Haywards Heath |
| region | South East | South East |
| Website | www.ardingly.com | www.balcombeschool.co.uk |
The verdict
- •Balcombe Cofe Primary School scores higher on the Success Index (England) (53.1 vs 18.9).
- •Ardingly College is the larger school with 1,056 students compared with 140.
- •Ardingly College is a independent school while Balcombe Cofe Primary School is a academy school, so fees and admission rules differ.
The Success Index (England) summarises published results and context from official data. It does not measure teaching quality or fit. Methodology.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Ardingly College better than Balcombe Cofe Primary School?
On the Success Index (England), Balcombe Cofe Primary School ranks higher (53.1 vs 18.9 out of 100). The index is built from published results and context data, not from teaching quality or fit, so visit both schools before deciding.
How far apart are Ardingly College and Balcombe Cofe Primary School?
About 3.7 km in a straight line, between Haywards Heath and Haywards Heath in South East.
Which has the better Pupils on roll?
Ardingly College: 1,056. Balcombe Cofe Primary School: 140. Number of pupils in the latest school census.
How do Ardingly College and Balcombe Cofe Primary School rank in South East?
Ardingly College is 591st of 679 and Balcombe Cofe Primary School is 1284th of 2,471 among all-through schools in South East on the 2025 Success Index (England).