SchoolScoresGildredge House
Free school · All-through, ages 4 to 16 · Mixed
Part of GILDREDGE HOUSE FREE SCHOOL
Compton Place Road, Eastbourne, BN20 8AB
01323 400650 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
At the inspection that started on 1 October 2024, Ofsted graded each area separately. It stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.
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 | Good |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Personal development | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Early years | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
216 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025.
Eastbourne comparisons use the 4 of its 7 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 3 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 | Eastbourne | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school 1st highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Eastbourne. Higher than 79% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 91% | 82% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school 1st highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Eastbourne. Higher than 90% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 96% | 85% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 2nd highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Eastbourne. Higher than 75% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 88% | 81% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 69 parents whose child had been bullied 3rd highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Eastbourne. Higher than 48% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 49% | 51% | 51% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 164 parents who had raised a concern 2nd highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Eastbourne. Higher than 67% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 77% | 69% | 76% |
| My child with SEND gets the support they needOf 60 parents of children with SEND 2nd highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Eastbourne. Higher than 73% of 789 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 72% | 58% | 68% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 2nd highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Eastbourne. Higher than 70% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 87%said yes | 78% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 18%). 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. Eastbourne figures pool parents at the Eastbourne 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. This survey used Ofsted's previous Parent View questions, which changed in November 2025. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.
Results
Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25
60 pupils in this year group.
60% — about the same as the East Sussex average, and 2 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | East Sussex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 60% | 61% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 2% | 6% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 87% | 74% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 72% | 72% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 73% | 71% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 105 | 105 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 103 | 104 | 105 |
Source: DfE key stage 2 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
148 pupils in this year group.
45% — 4 points above the East Sussex average, and about the same as the England average.
| Measure | This school | East Sussex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 45% | 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. | 46.7 | 43.1 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 4.1 | 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.
144 pupils in this year group.
94% — 4 points above the East Sussex average, and 2 points above 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. | 94% | 90% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 5% | 14% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 28% | 24% | 13% |
| Further education college | 53% | 44% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 2% | 2% | 3% |
| Work | 2% | 3% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 97% | 94% |
Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
A levels (16 to 18), 2022/23
37 A level students in this year group.
| Measure | This school | East Sussex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average A level grade | C- | C+ | C+ |
| A level exams graded A* or A | 11% | 24% | 24% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 33% | 49% | 50% |
| 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. | 26.8 | 32.5 | 34.2 |
Source: DfE 16 to 18 performance tables, 2022/23. 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 (Year 7)?
For the September 2026 intake there were about one first-choice application for every place.
| Places offered | 90 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 93 |
| Of those, offered a place | 69 (74%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 356 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.0 · 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.
How hard is it to get in (Reception)?
For the September 2026 intake there were fewer first-choice applications than places.
| Places offered | 58 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 51 |
| Of those, offered a place | 50 (98%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 139 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.3 · 2025: 1.5 · 2026: 0.9
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 7th highest of 7 state secondary schools in Eastbourne. Higher than 26% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 18.8% | 24.4%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 5th highest of 7 state secondary schools in Eastbourne. Higher than 17% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 1.5% | 2.2%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 4th highest of 7 state secondary schools in Eastbourne. Higher than 69% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 16.4% | 14.6%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 1st highest of 7 state secondary schools in Eastbourne. Higher than 62% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 17.0% | 6.6%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 1st lowest of 7 state secondary schools in Eastbourne. Lower than 82% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 6.3% | 9.5%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 2nd lowest of 7 state secondary schools in Eastbourne. Lower than 86% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 15.0% | 25.4%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 1st lowest of 7 state secondary schools in Eastbourne. Lower than 76% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 6.8 | 29.7 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 2nd lowest of 7 state secondary schools in Eastbourne. Lower than 67% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 4.7% | 9.5% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.13% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 1st highest of 7 state secondary schools in Eastbourne. Higher than 95% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 20.2 | 16.4 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 2nd highest of 7 state secondary schools in Eastbourne. Higher than 58% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 12.2 | 11.2 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 3rd highest of 7 state secondary schools in Eastbourne. Higher than 66% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 16.4% | 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
- Eastbourne College 0.7 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 42% A*/A at A level
- The Cavendish School 0.8 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 53% grade 5+ English and maths
- St Andrew's Prep 1.1 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
- Bede's Prep School 1.2 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
- Ratton School 1.5 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 6 expected · 43% grade 5+ English and maths
- The Eastbourne Academy 2.2 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 25% grade 5+ English and maths
- The Turing School 2.8 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 1 expected, 5 needs attention · 27% grade 5+ English and maths
- St Catherine's College 2.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2019), confirmed 2025 · 46% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Gildredge House's Ofsted rating?
At its inspection in 1 October 2024, Ofsted graded each area separately; it stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.
How did Gildredge House do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 45% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, about the same as the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend Gildredge House?
87% of the 216 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025 said they would recommend Gildredge House to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Gildredge House oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 93 families put Gildredge House as their first choice for 90 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 69 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 139796.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 3 September 2024 to 1 September 2025.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, Key stage 2 2024/25, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25, A levels 2022/23.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.