SchoolScoresArk Blacklands Primary Academy
Academy · Primary, ages 4 to 11 · Mixed
Part of ARK SCHOOLS
Osborne Close, Freshwater Avenue, Hastings, TN34 2HU
01424 429279 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Outstanding at the inspection that started on 1 November 2016.
This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Outstanding |
| Outcomes for pupils | Outstanding |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Outstanding |
| Leadership and management | Outstanding |
| Early years | Outstanding |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 8 March 2023: Ofsted found the school was still Outstanding.
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25
87 pupils in this year group.
92% — 31 points above the East Sussex average, and 30 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | East Sussex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 92% | 61% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 14% | 6% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 97% | 74% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 95% | 72% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 93% | 71% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 110 | 105 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 108 | 104 | 105 |
Source: DfE key stage 2 performance tables, 2024/25. 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 primary applications is 15 January, and offers are sent on 16 April.
How hard is it to get in?
For the September 2026 intake there were about one first-choice application for every place.
| Places offered | 90 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 88 |
| Of those, offered a place | 83 (94%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 184 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.9 · 2025: 0.9 · 2026: 1.0
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.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | East Sussex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 10th highest of 11 state primary schools in Hastings. Higher than 51% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 21.9% | 25.4%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan Joint 8th highest of 11 state primary schools in Hastings. Higher than 17% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 1.4% | 2.1%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 5th highest of 11 state primary schools in Hastings. Higher than 71% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 17.7% | 16.2%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language 4th highest of 11 state primary schools in Hastings. Higher than 57% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 13.1% | 9.3%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 3rd lowest of 11 state primary schools in Hastings. Lower than 47% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 5.1% | 5.7%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 3rd lowest of 11 state primary schools in Hastings. Lower than 52% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 11.4% | 14.4%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 6th lowest of 11 state primary schools in Hastings. Lower than 41% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 1.6 | 2.9 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 6th lowest of 11 state primary schools in Hastings. Lower than 51% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.6% | 1.2% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded1 pupil | 0.16% | 0.08% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher 3rd highest of 11 state primary schools in Hastings. Higher than 80% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 23.3 | 20.5 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 3rd highest of 11 state primary schools in Hastings. Higher than 67% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 11.7 | 10.9 | 10.6 |
| Teachers who left during the year 7th highest of 11 state primary schools in Hastings. Higher than 36% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 9.0% | 15.0%* | 14.4%* |
Comparisons are with primary 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 primary schools
- Mulberry Baird Primary 0.5 miles · Ofsted: Requires improvement (2024) · 56% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Paul's CofE Academy 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2019), confirmed, may be improving 2024 · 72% met expected standard (KS2)
- Ark Castledown Primary Academy 0.8 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2025: 1 exceptional, 6 strong · 78% met expected standard (KS2)
- Mulberry Silverdale Primary 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2018), confirmed 2023 · 60% met expected standard (KS2)
- Christ Church CofE Primary and Nursery Academy 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2015, before conversion), confirmed 2025 · 50% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Primary School 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2019, before conversion), confirmed 2024 · 68% met expected standard (KS2)
- Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School 1.1 miles · Ofsted: Good (2017, before conversion), confirmed 2023 · 44% met expected standard (KS2)
- Dudley Infant Academy 1.2 miles · Ofsted: Good (2019), confirmed 2025
- Hollington Primary School 1.3 miles · Ofsted: Inadequate (2022, before conversion) · 35% met expected standard (KS2)
- All Saints CofE Junior Academy 1.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2018), confirmed 2023 · 63% met expected standard (KS2)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Ark Blacklands Primary Academy's Ofsted rating?
Ark Blacklands Primary Academy was rated Outstanding by Ofsted at its inspection in 1 November 2016. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 8 March 2023, Ofsted found the school was still Outstanding.
How did Ark Blacklands Primary Academy do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 92% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 30 points above the England average of 62%.
Is Ark Blacklands Primary Academy oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 88 families put Ark Blacklands Primary Academy as their first choice for 90 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 83 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 141021.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, Key stage 2 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.