SchoolScoresRye College
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 16 · Mixed
Part of AQUINAS CHURCH OF ENGLAND EDUCATION TRUST LIMITED
The Grove, Rye, TN31 7NQ
01797 222545 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 17 January 2023.
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 |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
103 pupils in this year group.
35% — 7 points below the East Sussex average, and 10 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | East Sussex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 35% | 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. | 36.8 | 43.1 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 3.1 | 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.
116 pupils in this year group.
83% — 7 points below the East Sussex average, and 9 points below 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. | 83% | 90% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 1% | 14% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 23% | 24% | 13% |
| Further education college | 53% | 44% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 2% | 2% | 3% |
| Work | 3% | 3% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 95% | 83% |
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 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?
For the September 2026 intake there were about one first-choice application for every place.
| Places offered | 125 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 114 |
| Of those, offered a place | 114 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 223 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.8 · 2025: 0.9 · 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 5th highest of 26 state secondary schools in East Sussex. Higher than 70% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 36.4% | 24.4%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 25th highest of 26 state secondary schools in East Sussex. Higher than 6% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 0.8% | 2.2%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 5th highest of 26 state secondary schools in East Sussex. Higher than 92% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 21.8% | 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) 25th lowest of 26 state secondary schools in East Sussex. Lower than 5% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 12.9% | 9.5%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 26th lowest of 26 state secondary schools in East Sussex. Lower than 2% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 42.5% | 25.4%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 17th lowest of 26 state secondary schools in East Sussex. Lower than 25% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 29.1 | 29.7 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 19th lowest of 26 state secondary schools in East Sussex. Lower than 19% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 12.0% | 9.5% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded2 pupils | 0.32% | 0.13% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 4th highest of 26 state secondary schools in East Sussex. Higher than 89% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 19.1 | 16.4 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 1st highest of 26 state secondary schools in East Sussex. Higher than 83% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 13.5 | 11.2 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 6th highest of 26 state secondary schools in East Sussex. Higher than 84% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 21.5% | 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.
Questions parents ask
What is Rye College's Ofsted rating?
Rye College was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 17 January 2023.
How did Rye College do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 35% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 10 points below the England average of 45%.
Is Rye College oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 114 families put Rye College as their first choice for 125 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 114 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 146825.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- 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.