Imberhorne School

Community school · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed · Sixth form

Imberhorne Lane, East Grinstead, RH19 1QY

01342 323562 · School website · Map and directions

OfstedGoodInspected 5 March 2019; confirmed 2024
Grade 5 or above in English and maths43%England 45% · 2024/25
24th highest of 40 state secondary schools in West Sussex.
Higher than 48% of 3,259 state secondary schools in England.
Pupils1,558Room for 1,688 Pupil numbers in January of each year: 1,575 in 2019, 1,553 in 2021, 1,575 in 2022, 1,624 in 2023, 1,615 in 2024, 1,573 in 2025, 1,558 in 2026. Across England, secondary state school pupil numbers were up 10% from 2019 to 2025.
First-choice applications per place1.0270 for 270 places, September 2026
16th highest of 40 state secondary schools in West Sussex.
Higher than 61% of 3,219 state secondary schools in England.

Ofsted inspection

Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 5 March 2019.

This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.

AreaGrade
Quality of educationGood
Outcomes for pupilsGood
Behaviour and attitudesGood
Leadership and managementGood
Sixth formGood
SafeguardingEffective

Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 9 October 2024: Ofsted found the school had maintained its standards.

Read the full Ofsted reports for this school

Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.

What parents say

318 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025.

West Sussex comparisons use the 21 of its 41 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 20 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.

StatementThis schoolWest SussexEngland
My child is happy at this school
Joint 15th highest of 21 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in West Sussex.
Higher than 38% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
79% 81% 89%
My child feels safe at this school
15th highest of 21 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in West Sussex.
Higher than 40% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
83% 84% 90%
The school makes sure pupils are well behaved
17th highest of 21 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in West Sussex.
Higher than 28% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
67% 76% 84%
Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 127 parents whose child had been bullied
17th highest of 21 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in West Sussex.
Higher than 27% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
41% 49% 51%
Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 258 parents who had raised a concern
16th highest of 21 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in West Sussex.
Higher than 43% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
68% 72% 76%
My child with SEND gets the support they needOf 75 parents of children with SEND
7th highest of 8 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in West Sussex.
Higher than 20% of 789 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
45% 59% 68%
I would recommend this school to another parent
15th highest of 21 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in West Sussex.
Higher than 46% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
78%said yes 80% 84%

Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 20%). 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. West Sussex figures pool parents at the West 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.

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Results

GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25

243 pupils in this year group.

43% — 3 points below the West Sussex average, and 3 points below the England average.

MeasureThis schoolWest SussexEngland
Grade 5 or above in English and maths 43% 46% 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. 45.1 46.2 46.1
EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. 4.0 4.1 4.1
Grade 5 or above in English and maths, over time
30% 40% 50% 60% England 2022/23: 45%England 2023/24: 46%England 2024/25: 45% This school 2022/23: 50%This school 2023/24: 41%This school 2024/25: 43% This school England 45% 2022/23 50% 2023/24 41% 2024/25 43%

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.

258 pupils in this year group.

96% — 2 points above the West Sussex average, and 4 points above the England average.

Where pupils went after Year 11
This school 59%20%
England 34%13%37%
MeasureThis schoolWest SussexEngland
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. 96% 94% 92%
School sixth form 59% 26% 34%
Sixth form college 9% 20% 13%
Further education college 20% 41% 37%
Apprenticeship 5% 2% 3%
Work 2% 3% 3%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
95%96%

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

99 A level students in this year group.

MeasureThis schoolWest SussexEngland
Average A level grade B- C+ B-
A level exams graded A* or A 25% 25% 26%
A level exams graded A* to B 59% 52% 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. 36.5 34.0 35
Average points per A level entry, over time
30 35 40 England 2022/23: 34.2England 2023/24: 34.4England 2024/25: 35 This school 2022/23: 35.2This school 2023/24: 36.0This school 2024/25: 36.5 This school England 35 2022/23 35.2 2023/24 36.0 2024/25 36.5

A level subjects, 2024/25

23 subjects, 244 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.

SubjectExamsA*A* or AEngland A* or A
Economics 41 0% 15% 26%
Mathematics 34 9% 26% 40%
History 21 14% 38% 23%
Psychology 20 5% 25% 19%
Biology 15 7% 27% 27%
English Literature 14 7% 14% 23%
Art and Design 13 31% 38% 34%
Geography 13 0% 15% 23%
Government and Politics 12 17% 33% 26%
Physics 12 17% 33% 31%
Chemistry 8 0% 13% 30%
Computer Studies / Computing 7 0% 43% 24%
Sociology 7 0% 14% 20%
Art and Design (Photography) 6 17% 33% 26%

Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Film Studies, Electronics, Mathematics (Further), English Language, French, German, Italian, Logic / Philosophy, Spanish.

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.

121 students in this year group.

84% — 6 points above the West Sussex average, and 5 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolWest SussexEngland
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. 84% 78% 79%
Apprenticeship 7% 6% 7%
Work 22% 38% 28%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
92%84%

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.

118 students in this year group.

66% — 12 points above the West Sussex average, and 6 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolWest SussexEngland
Went on to a degree or other higher education 66% 54% 60%
Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. 16% 14% 19%

Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time

2023/242024/25
62%66%

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 West 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 about one first-choice application for every place.

Places offered270
Families who put it first270
Of those, offered a place250 (93%)
Families who listed it at all554

First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.9 · 2025: 1.0 · 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.

Admissions dates and schools in West Sussex

Pupils, staff and SEND

PupilsThis schoolWest SussexEngland
Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years
34th highest of 40 state secondary schools in West Sussex.
Higher than 10% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
11.8% 17.9%* 28.9%
With an education, health and care plan
33rd highest of 40 state secondary schools in West Sussex.
Higher than 27% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
2.0% 3.2%* 3.1%
Receiving special educational needs support
24th highest of 40 state secondary schools in West Sussex.
Higher than 67% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
16.1% 16.9%* 13.4%
English as an additional language
33rd highest of 40 state secondary schools in West Sussex.
Higher than 28% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
6.0% 11.6%* 19.2%
Overall absence (sessions missed)
30th lowest of 40 state secondary schools in West Sussex.
Lower than 30% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
9.5% 8.6%* 8.4%
Persistently absent (missed 10% or more)
24th lowest of 40 state secondary schools in West Sussex.
Lower than 36% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
26.2% 23.5%* 23.4%
Suspensions per 100 pupils
17th lowest of 40 state secondary schools in West Sussex.
Lower than 57% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
12.0 16.2 21.2
Pupils suspended at least once
22nd lowest of 40 state secondary schools in West Sussex.
Lower than 61% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
5.4% 5.9% 7.3%
Pupils permanently excluded1 pupil 0.06% 0.17% 0.23%
Pupils per teacher
Joint 18th highest of 40 state secondary schools in West Sussex.
Higher than 54% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England.
17.0 17.0 16.7
Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff)
17th highest of 40 state secondary schools in West Sussex.
Higher than 47% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
11.7 11.5 11.8
Teachers who left during the year
22nd highest of 40 state secondary schools in West Sussex.
Higher than 28% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England.
9.9% 12.0%* 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

Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.

Questions parents ask

What is Imberhorne School's Ofsted rating?

Imberhorne School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 5 March 2019. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 9 October 2024, Ofsted found the school had maintained its standards.

How did Imberhorne School do in its GCSEs?

In 2024/25, 43% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 3 points below the England average of 45%.

Would parents recommend Imberhorne School?

78% of the 318 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025 said they would recommend Imberhorne School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.

Is Imberhorne School oversubscribed?

For the September 2026 intake, 270 families put Imberhorne School as their first choice for 270 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 250 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.

Sources

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Page updated 26 September 2026.