SchoolScoresHailsham Academy
Academy · All-through, ages 2 to 16 · Mixed · Nursery class
Part of MARK EDUCATION TRUST
Battle Road, Hailsham, BN27 1DT
01323 841468 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Inadequate at the inspection that started on 13 March 2023. This inspection was of the school before it changed to its current form (for example, before becoming an academy).
This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.
Category of concern: Serious weaknesses.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Requires improvement |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Inadequate |
| Personal development | Requires improvement |
| Leadership and management | Requires improvement |
| Early years | Good |
| Sixth form | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
24 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 1 January 2024 and 6 January 2025.
East Sussex comparisons use the 16 of its 26 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 10 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 16th highest of 16 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in East Sussex. Higher than 1% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 21% | 82% | 88% |
| My child feels safe at this school 16th highest of 16 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in East Sussex. Higher than 2% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 33% | 84% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 16th highest of 16 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in East Sussex. Higher than 0% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 8% | 75% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 14 parents whose child had been bullied 16th highest of 16 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in East Sussex. Higher than 1% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 14% | 51% | 50% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 23 parents who had raised a concern 16th highest of 16 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in East Sussex. Higher than 2% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 26% | 70% | 76% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 16th highest of 16 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in East Sussex. Higher than 1% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 13%said yes | 80% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families. 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. This survey used Ofsted's previous Parent View questions, which changed in November 2025. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
| Measure | This school | East Sussex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | Not published | 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. | Not published | 43.1 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | Not published | 3.8 | 4.1 |
"Not published": No figure published.
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.
214 pupils in this year group.
These results were published under the school's previous registration (URN 138472), before it changed to its current form.
91% — about the same as the East Sussex average, and about the same as 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. | 91% | 90% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 30% | 14% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 6% | 24% | 13% |
| Further education college | 50% | 44% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 2% | 2% | 3% |
| Work | 2% | 3% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 94% | 91% |
Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
A levels (16 to 18), 2024/25
42 A level students in this year group.
These results were published under the school's previous registration (URN 138472), before it changed to its current form.
| Measure | This school | East Sussex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average A level grade | C- | C+ | B- |
| A level exams graded A* or A | 11% | 26% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 32% | 55% | 53% |
| 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. | 27.3 | 32.7 | 35 |
A level subjects, 2024/25
15 subjects, 84 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
| Subject | Exams | A* | A* or A | England A* or A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Psychology | 13 | 0% | 8% | 19% |
| Biology | 9 | 0% | 0% | 27% |
| Mathematics | 9 | 0% | 11% | 40% |
| Law | 8 | 0% | 13% | 17% |
| Sociology | 7 | 14% | 29% | 20% |
| English Language | 6 | 0% | 17% | 13% |
| Government and Politics | 6 | 0% | 0% | 26% |
| History | 6 | 0% | 0% | 23% |
Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: English Literature, Physics, Drama and Theatre Studies, Economics, Mathematics (Further), Art and Design, Art and Design (Photography).
Source: DfE 16 to 18 qualification and subject data, 2024/25.
Source: DfE 16 to 18 performance tables, 2024/25. 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.
81 students in this year group.
These results were published under the school's previous registration (URN 138472), before it changed to its current form.
88% — 14 points above the East Sussex average, and 9 points above 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. | 88% | 74% | 79% |
| Apprenticeship | 7% | 6% | 7% |
| Work | 46% | 37% | 28% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 86% | 88% |
Source: DfE 16 to 18 destination measures, 2024/25 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.
87 students in this year group.
These results were published under the school's previous registration (URN 138472), before it changed to its current form.
30% — 14 points below the East Sussex average, and 30 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | East Sussex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 30% | 44% | 60% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 6% | 9% | 19% |
Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 52% | 30% |
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 (Year 7)?
For the September 2026 intake there were fewer first-choice applications than places.
| Places offered | 198 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 128 |
| Of those, offered a place | 128 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 185 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.6 · 2025: 0.8 · 2026: 0.6
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 about 1 first-choice applications for every place.
| Places offered | 60 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 67 |
| Of those, offered a place | 56 (84%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 148 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.2 · 2025: 1.5 · 2026: 1.1
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
Specialist SEND provision: this school has resourced provision with 12 places for severe learning difficulties. These places are usually allocated through the council's SEND team.
| Pupils | This school | East Sussex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 9th highest of 26 state secondary schools in East Sussex. Higher than 50% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 27.3% | 24.4%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 9th highest of 26 state secondary schools in East Sussex. Higher than 36% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 2.4% | 2.2%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 23rd highest of 26 state secondary schools in East Sussex. Higher than 13% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 8.1% | 14.6%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language Joint 15th highest of 26 state secondary schools in East Sussex. Higher than 18% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 4.2% | 6.6%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 22nd lowest of 26 state secondary schools in East Sussex. Lower than 9% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 11.9% | 9.5%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 22nd lowest of 26 state secondary schools in East Sussex. Lower than 12% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 33.0% | 25.4%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 12th lowest of 26 state secondary schools in East Sussex. Lower than 39% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 19.4 | 29.7 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 14th lowest of 26 state secondary schools in East Sussex. Lower than 36% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 8.5% | 9.5% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded1 pupil | 0.06% | 0.13% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher Joint 18th highest of 26 state secondary schools in East Sussex. Higher than 26% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 15.6 | 16.4 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) Joint 22nd highest of 26 state secondary schools in East Sussex. Higher than 10% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 9.7 | 11.2 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 11th highest of 26 state secondary schools in East Sussex. Higher than 62% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 15.6% | 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.
SEND provision: Get Information about Schools (DfE).
Nearby secondary schools
- Bede's Senior School 2.3 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 47% A*/A at A level
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Hailsham Academy's Ofsted rating?
Hailsham Academy was rated Inadequate by Ofsted at its inspection in 13 March 2023.
How did Hailsham Academy do in its GCSEs?
DfE didn't publish this figure for 2024/25. No figure published.
Would parents recommend Hailsham Academy?
13% of the 24 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 1 January 2024 and 6 January 2025 said they would recommend Hailsham Academy to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Hailsham Academy oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 128 families put Hailsham Academy as their first choice for 198 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 128 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 152097.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 1 January 2024 to 6 January 2025.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25, A levels 2024/25, After sixth form 2024/25, Going on to university 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.