SchoolScoresThe Ropemakers' Academy
Special free school · All-through, ages 4 to 16 · Mixed
Part of THE BECKMEAD TRUST
Reef Way, Hailsham, BN27 1FB
01323 368374 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 21 June 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
Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25
8 pupils in this year group.
Only 8 pupils took these tests, so results can change a lot from year to year. Compare with care.
0% — 61 points below the East Sussex average, and 62 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | East Sussex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 0% | 61% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 0% | 6% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 0% | 74% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 0% | 72% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 0% | 71% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | Not published | 105 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | Not published | 104 | 105 |
"Not published": No figure published.
Source: DfE key stage 2 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
21 pupils in this year group.
0% — 42 points below the East Sussex average, and 45 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | East Sussex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 0% | 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. | 0.9 | 43.1 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 0.1 | 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.
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.
Pupils, staff and SEND
This is a special school for children with an education, health and care plan (EHCP). Places are arranged through the council's SEND team, not the normal admissions round.
| Pupils | This school | East Sussex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years | 67.6% | 49.2%* | 51.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan | 100.0% | 98.8%* | 99.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support | 0.0% | 1.2%* | 0.5% |
| English as an additional language | 0.0% | 5.6%* | 14.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) | 34.4% | 15.9%* | 12.8% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) | 63.6% | 38.1%* | 35.3% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils | 70.3 | 21.8 | 12.3 |
| Pupils suspended at least once | 31.5% | 9.2% | 5.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.06% | 0.08% |
| Pupils per teacher | 9.1 | 6.5 | 6.6 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) | 3.2 | 2.7 | 2.3 |
| Teachers who left during the year | 15.4% | 13.7%* | 14.3%* |
Comparisons are with special schools. * 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).
Questions parents ask
What is The Ropemakers' Academy's Ofsted rating?
The Ropemakers' Academy was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 21 June 2023.
How did The Ropemakers' Academy do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 0% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 45 points below the England average of 45%.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 148035.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, Key stage 2 2024/25, GCSEs 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.