SchoolScoresSeaford Head School
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed · Sixth form
Part of SEAFORD LEARNING TRUST
Arundel Road, Seaford, BN25 4LX
01323 891623 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Outstanding at the inspection that started on 13 September 2017.
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 | Outstanding |
| Outcomes for pupils | Outstanding |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Outstanding |
| Leadership and management | Outstanding |
| Sixth form | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 16 November 2023: Ofsted found the school was still Outstanding.
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
344 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 4 September 2023 and 2 September 2024.
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 Joint 6th highest of 16 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in East Sussex. Higher than 49% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 83% | 82% | 88% |
| My child feels safe at this school Joint 5th highest of 16 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in East Sussex. Higher than 52% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 87% | 84% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 8th highest of 16 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in East Sussex. Higher than 56% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 81% | 75% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 132 parents whose child had been bullied 12th highest of 16 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in East Sussex. Higher than 39% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 46% | 51% | 49% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 258 parents who had raised a concern 10th highest of 16 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in East Sussex. Higher than 51% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 71% | 70% | 75% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent Joint 8th highest of 16 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in East Sussex. Higher than 56% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 82%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
232 pupils in this year group.
50% — 8 points above the East Sussex average, and 5 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | East Sussex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 50% | 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. | 49.4 | 43.1 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 4.6 | 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.
224 pupils in this year group.
89% — about the same as the East Sussex average, and 3 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. | 89% | 90% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 38% | 14% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 8% | 24% | 13% |
| Further education college | 34% | 44% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 4% | 2% | 3% |
| Work | 2% | 3% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 96% | 89% |
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
88 A level students in this year group.
| Measure | This school | East Sussex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average A level grade | B- | C+ | B- |
| A level exams graded A* or A | 33% | 26% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 58% | 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. | 37.2 | 32.7 | 35 |
A level subjects, 2024/25
22 subjects, 211 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
| Subject | Exams | A* | A* or A | England A* or A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 28 | 29% | 46% | 40% |
| Psychology | 22 | 18% | 27% | 19% |
| English Literature | 21 | 10% | 38% | 23% |
| Biology | 15 | 0% | 27% | 27% |
| Geography | 12 | 0% | 17% | 23% |
| Chemistry | 11 | 9% | 27% | 30% |
| Computer Studies / Computing | 11 | 0% | 36% | 24% |
| Physics | 11 | 36% | 55% | 31% |
| English Language | 10 | 0% | 10% | 13% |
| Sociology | 10 | 40% | 50% | 20% |
| Art and Design | 8 | 0% | 0% | 34% |
| English Language and Literature | 8 | 13% | 25% | 16% |
| Business Studies:Single | 7 | 0% | 14% | 16% |
| History | 7 | 14% | 57% | 23% |
| Mathematics (Further) | 6 | 33% | 83% | 59% |
Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Art and Design (Photography), Film Studies, Design and Technology (Product Design), French, Government and Politics, Spanish, Accounting / Finance.
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.
108 students in this year group.
77% — 3 points above the East Sussex average, and 2 points below 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. | 77% | 74% | 79% |
| Apprenticeship | 4% | 6% | 7% |
| Work | 27% | 37% | 28% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 87% | 77% |
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.
107 students in this year group.
59% — 15 points above the East Sussex average, and about the same as the England average.
| Measure | This school | East Sussex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 59% | 44% | 60% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 15% | 9% | 19% |
Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 63% | 59% |
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?
For the September 2026 intake there were about one first-choice application for every place.
| Places offered | 231 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 245 |
| Of those, offered a place | 226 (92%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 413 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.3 · 2025: 1.1 · 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
| Pupils | This school | East Sussex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 18th highest of 26 state secondary schools in East Sussex. Higher than 31% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 20.3% | 24.4%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 12th highest of 26 state secondary schools in East Sussex. Higher than 28% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 2.1% | 2.2%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 24th highest of 26 state secondary schools in East Sussex. Higher than 10% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 7.4% | 14.6%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 14th highest of 26 state secondary schools in East Sussex. Higher than 23% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 5.2% | 6.6%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 7th lowest of 26 state secondary schools in East Sussex. Lower than 45% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 8.6% | 9.5%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 7th lowest of 26 state secondary schools in East Sussex. Lower than 55% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 22.6% | 25.4%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 2nd lowest of 26 state secondary schools in East Sussex. Lower than 95% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 1.5 | 29.7 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 2nd lowest of 26 state secondary schools in East Sussex. Lower than 94% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 1.3% | 9.5% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.13% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher Joint 9th highest of 26 state secondary schools in East Sussex. Higher than 50% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 16.8 | 16.4 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) Joint 4th highest of 26 state secondary schools in East Sussex. Higher than 74% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 12.9 | 11.2 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 19th highest of 26 state secondary schools in East Sussex. Higher than 18% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 8.3% | 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 Seaford Head School's Ofsted rating?
Seaford Head School was rated Outstanding by Ofsted at its inspection in 13 September 2017. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 16 November 2023, Ofsted found the school was still Outstanding.
How did Seaford Head School do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 50% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 5 points above the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend Seaford Head School?
82% of the 344 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 4 September 2023 and 2 September 2024 said they would recommend Seaford Head School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Seaford Head School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 245 families put Seaford Head School as their first choice for 231 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 226 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 138473.
- 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, 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.