SchoolScoresArk Alexandra Academy
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 16 · Mixed · Church of England
Part of ARK SCHOOLS
Park Avenue, William Parker Campus, Park Avenue, Hastings, TN34 2PG
01424 439888 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted report card from the inspection that started on 16 June 2026 , published 16 July 2026.
In short: 6 strong, and safeguarding met.
Since November 2025 Ofsted grades each area on a five-point scale instead of giving one overall grade. How report cards work.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| SafeguardingWhether pupils are kept safe. Met or not met. | Met |
| InclusionHow well the school supports disadvantaged pupils and pupils with special educational needs. | Strong standard Second of five grades. Better than the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Curriculum and teachingWhat pupils are taught and how well they are taught it. | Strong standard Second of five grades. Better than the standard Ofsted expects. |
| AchievementHow well pupils learn and the results they get. | Strong standard Second of five grades. Better than the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Attendance and behaviourWhether pupils come to school and how they behave. | Strong standard Second of five grades. Better than the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Personal development and wellbeingPupils' wider development, character and wellbeing. | Strong standard Second of five grades. Better than the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Leadership and governanceHow well leaders and governors run the school. | Strong standard Second of five grades. Better than the standard Ofsted expects. |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
141 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 10 November 2025 and 6 April 2026.
East Sussex comparisons use the 5 of its 26 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 21 have no published Parent View results (Ofsted only publishes a survey once at least 10 parents answer) or used Ofsted's newer questions, which we don't compare with the older ones.
| Statement | This school | East Sussex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school 2nd highest of 5 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in East Sussex. Higher than 60% of 442 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 82% | 73% | 83% |
| My child feels safe at this school 1st highest of 5 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in East Sussex. Higher than 78% of 442 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 92% | 78% | 85% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 1st highest of 5 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in East Sussex. Higher than 84% of 442 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 90% | 72% | 78% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 31 parents whose child had been bullied 1st highest of 5 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in East Sussex. Higher than 85% of 344 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 65% | 44% | 43% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 135 parents who had raised a concern 2nd highest of 5 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in East Sussex. Higher than 65% of 431 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 76% | 66% | 74% |
| My child with SEND gets the support they needOf 43 parents of children with SEND 1st highest of 5 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in East Sussex. Higher than 85% of 356 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 79% | 54% | 63% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 2nd highest of 5 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in East Sussex. Higher than 62% of 442 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 87%said yes | 76% | 83% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 10%). Figures are the share who agree or strongly agree. England figures are all parents answering the same questions over the same period, for state-funded schools. East Sussex figures pool parents at the East Sussex schools compared, from each school's latest survey, so survey dates differ between schools. The scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) agreement, and the dot marks this school among state schools of the same phase that used the same survey questions. The third it falls in is coloured: green for the top third, amber the middle, red the bottom. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
221 pupils in this year group.
41% — 1 points below the East Sussex average, and 5 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | East Sussex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 41% | 42% | 45% |
| Attainment 8 scoreAverage of each pupil's grades across 8 GCSE-level subjects, with English and maths counted twice. Around 50 means grade 5s on average. | 42.6 | 43.1 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 3.7 | 3.8 | 4.1 |
Progress 8 isn't shown. DfE didn't publish it for 2024/25 because this year group's key stage 2 tests in 2020 were cancelled, and older progress scores aren't comparable.
Source: DfE key stage 4 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
After Year 11
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
263 pupils in this year group.
89% — about the same as the East Sussex average, and 3 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | East Sussex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 89% | 90% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 9% | 14% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 21% | 24% | 13% |
| Further education college | 55% | 44% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 2% | 2% | 3% |
| Work | 1% | 3% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 85% | 89% |
Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
A levels (16 to 18), 2023/24
34 A level students in this year group.
| Measure | This school | East Sussex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average A level grade | B- | C+ | C+ |
| A level exams graded A* or A | 23% | 28% | 25% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 61% | 55% | 51% |
| Average points per A level entryAn A* is 60 points, an A is 50, a B is 40, and so on down to 10 for an E. | 35.1 | 32.9 | 34.4 |
Source: DfE 16 to 18 performance tables, 2023/24. England figures are for state-funded schools.
After sixth form
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
54 students in this year group.
72% — 3 points below the East Sussex average, and 8 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | East Sussex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. | 72% | 75% | 80% |
| Apprenticeship | 4% | 5% | 7% |
| Work | 26% | 36% | 28% |
Source: DfE 16 to 18 destination measures, 2023/24 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Going on to university
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
49 students in this year group.
57% — 13 points above the East Sussex average, and 3 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | East Sussex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 57% | 44% | 60% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 18% | 9% | 19% |
Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 67% | 57% |
Source: DfE 16 to 18 progression to higher education or training, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Admissions
Apply through the council where you live, even if the school is in a different council area. This school is in East Sussex. The national closing date for secondary applications is 31 October, and offers are sent on 1 March.
How hard is it to get in?
For the September 2026 intake there were fewer first-choice applications than places.
| Places offered | 223 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 177 |
| Of those, offered a place | 177 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 358 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.2 · 2025: 0.8 · 2026: 0.8
This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2026 intake.
This is a Church of England school. When it has more applicants than places it can give priority to families of the faith, for example those who can show regular worship. Check the school's admissions policy to see how places are allocated.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | East Sussex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 7th highest of 26 state secondary schools in East Sussex. Higher than 66% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 33.8% | 24.4%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 26th highest of 26 state secondary schools in East Sussex. Higher than 4% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 0.5% | 2.2%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 14th highest of 26 state secondary schools in East Sussex. Higher than 54% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 14.2% | 14.6%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language Joint 3rd highest of 26 state secondary schools in East Sussex. Higher than 53% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 13.1% | 6.6%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 10th lowest of 26 state secondary schools in East Sussex. Lower than 39% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 8.9% | 9.5%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 16th lowest of 26 state secondary schools in East Sussex. Lower than 28% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 27.9% | 25.4%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 25th lowest of 26 state secondary schools in East Sussex. Lower than 5% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 74.7 | 29.7 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 25th lowest of 26 state secondary schools in East Sussex. Lower than 4% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 19.8% | 9.5% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded2 pupils | 0.14% | 0.13% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 24th highest of 26 state secondary schools in East Sussex. Higher than 12% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 14.6 | 16.4 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) Joint 15th highest of 26 state secondary schools in East Sussex. Higher than 27% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 10.8 | 11.2 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year Joint 4th highest of 26 state secondary schools in East Sussex. Higher than 86% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 22.0% | 13.3%* | 14.2%* |
Comparisons are with secondary schools. Scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) figures. For absence and suspensions lower is better, so their scales run green to red; blue scales describe the school's pupils and staff and aren't good or bad. * Calculated by SchoolScores from the council's or England's schools, weighted by pupils (or teachers, for turnover); other figures are published by DfE. Sources: DfE school census 2024/25; DfE pupil absence 2024/25; DfE suspensions and permanent exclusions 2024/25; DfE school workforce census 2025/26; DfE teacher turnover 2024/25.
Nearby secondary schools
- Claremont School 1.6 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 31% A*/A at A level
- Mulberry Academy Hastings 2.0 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 5 expected, 1 needs attention · 27% grade 5+ English and maths
- Mulberry Academy St Leonards 2.0 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025, before conversion) · 25% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Ark Alexandra Academy's Ofsted rating?
Ark Alexandra Academy was inspected under Ofsted's report card format in 16 June 2026. Report cards grade each area on a five-point scale instead of giving one overall grade. Its grades were 6 strong, and safeguarding was met.
How did Ark Alexandra Academy do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 41% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 5 points below the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend Ark Alexandra Academy?
87% of the 141 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 10 November 2025 and 6 April 2026 said they would recommend Ark Alexandra Academy to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Ark Alexandra Academy oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 177 families put Ark Alexandra Academy as their first choice for 223 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 177 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 139821.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 10 November 2025 to 6 April 2026.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25, A levels 2023/24, After sixth form 2023/24, Going on to university 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.