SchoolScoresOathall Community College
Community school · Secondary, ages 11 to 16 · Mixed
Appledore Gardens, Lindfield, Haywards Heath, RH16 2AQ
01444 414001 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 10 October 2013.
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 |
| Outcomes for pupils | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 14 September 2023: Ofsted found the school was still Good.
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
199 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 4 September 2023 and 2 September 2024.
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.
| Statement | This school | West Sussex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school Joint 5th highest of 21 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in West Sussex. Higher than 67% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 88% | 81% | 88% |
| My child feels safe at this school Joint 9th highest of 21 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in West Sussex. Higher than 56% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 88% | 84% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved Joint 8th highest of 21 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in West Sussex. Higher than 63% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 84% | 76% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 69 parents whose child had been bullied Joint 9th highest of 21 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in West Sussex. Higher than 56% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 52% | 49% | 49% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 133 parents who had raised a concern 7th highest of 21 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in West Sussex. Higher than 77% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 80% | 72% | 75% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 8th highest of 21 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in West Sussex. Higher than 73% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 88%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. 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.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
231 pupils in this year group.
58% — 12 points above the West Sussex average, and 13 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | West Sussex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 58% | 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. | 51.6 | 46.2 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 4.8 | 4.1 | 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.
213 pupils in this year group.
94% — about the same as the West Sussex average, and 2 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | West Sussex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 94% | 94% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 3% | 26% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 30% | 20% | 13% |
| Further education college | 55% | 41% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 1% | 2% | 3% |
| Work | 3% | 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.
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 offered | 264 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 265 |
| Of those, offered a place | 232 (88%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 684 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.0 · 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.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | West Sussex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 25th highest of 40 state secondary schools in West Sussex. Higher than 15% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 14.6% | 17.9%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan Joint 22nd highest of 40 state secondary schools in West Sussex. Higher than 47% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 2.8% | 3.2%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 10th highest of 40 state secondary schools in West Sussex. Higher than 85% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 19.3% | 16.9%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language Joint 25th highest of 40 state secondary schools in West Sussex. Higher than 35% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 7.5% | 11.6%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 14th lowest of 40 state secondary schools in West Sussex. Lower than 58% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 7.9% | 8.6%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 13th lowest of 40 state secondary schools in West Sussex. Lower than 65% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 20.4% | 23.5%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 25th lowest of 40 state secondary schools in West Sussex. Lower than 50% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 14.4 | 16.2 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 20th lowest of 40 state secondary schools in West Sussex. Lower than 63% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 5.1% | 5.9% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded2 pupils | 0.15% | 0.17% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 6th highest of 40 state secondary schools in West Sussex. Higher than 82% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 18.5 | 17.0 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) Joint 9th highest of 40 state secondary schools in West Sussex. Higher than 58% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 12.2 | 11.5 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 19th highest of 40 state secondary schools in West Sussex. Higher than 34% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 10.8% | 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
- Great Walstead School 1.6 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
- Warden Park Secondary Academy 1.8 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 4 strong, 2 expected · 58% grade 5+ English and maths
- Ardingly College 2.4 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 Oathall Community College's Ofsted rating?
Oathall Community College was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 10 October 2013. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 14 September 2023, Ofsted found the school was still Good.
How did Oathall Community College do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 58% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 13 points above the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend Oathall Community College?
88% of the 199 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 4 September 2023 and 2 September 2024 said they would recommend Oathall Community College to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Oathall Community College oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 265 families put Oathall Community College as their first choice for 264 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 232 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 126085.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 4 September 2023 to 2 September 2024.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.