Balcombe Cofe Primary School vs Handcross Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in South East, England, 4.5 km apart, using official English 2025 data. The better value in each row is highlighted.
Balcombe Cofe Primary School
Haywards Heath · Academy primary · Ages 4–11
140 students
Handcross Primary School
Haywards Heath · Local authority primary · Ages 2–11
238 students
| Measure | Balcombe Cofe Primary School Haywards Heath, South East | Handcross Primary School Haywards Heath, South East |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index (England) | 53 Top 50% | 82 Top 25% |
| Region rank | #1284 of 2,471 | #370 of 2,471 |
| National rank | #7309 of 15,697 | #1863 of 15,697 |
| Sector | Academy | Local authority |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | Ages 4–11 | Ages 2–11 |
| Students | 140 | 238 |
| Pupils on roll | 140 | 238 |
| Free school meals | 7.9% | 12.1% |
| Capacity filled | 93.3% | 113.3% |
| KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 63% | 79% |
| KS2 higher standard (RWM) | 5% | 14% |
| KS2 reading progress | – | – |
| KS2 writing progress | – | – |
| KS2 maths progress | – | – |
| Attainment 8 | – | – |
| Progress 8 | – | – |
| Grade 5+ English & maths | – | – |
| Grade 4+ English & maths | – | – |
| EBacc average points | – | – |
| A level points per entry | – | – |
| town | Haywards Heath | Haywards Heath |
| region | South East | South East |
| Website | www.balcombeschool.co.uk | www.handcrossprimary.uk/ |
The verdict
- •Handcross Primary School scores higher on the Success Index (England) (82.0 vs 53.1).
- •Handcross Primary School does better on ks2: reading, writing & maths expected standard (79% vs 63%).
- •Handcross Primary School does better on ks2: higher standard (14% vs 5%).
- •Handcross Primary School is the larger school with 238 students compared with 140.
- •Balcombe Cofe Primary School is a academy school while Handcross Primary School is a local authority 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 Balcombe Cofe Primary School better than Handcross Primary School?
On the Success Index (England), Handcross Primary School ranks higher (82.0 vs 53.1 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 Balcombe Cofe Primary School and Handcross Primary School?
About 4.5 km in a straight line, between Haywards Heath and Haywards Heath in South East.
Which has the better Pupils on roll?
Balcombe Cofe Primary School: 140. Handcross Primary School: 238. Number of pupils in the latest school census.
How do Balcombe Cofe Primary School and Handcross Primary School rank in South East?
Balcombe Cofe Primary School is 1284th of 2,471 and Handcross Primary School is 370th of 2,471 among primary schools in South East on the 2025 Success Index (England).