SchoolScoresWorthing High School
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 16 · Mixed
Part of SOUTH DOWNS EDUCATION TRUST
South Farm Road, Worthing, BN14 7AR
01903 237864 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 19 April 2016.
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 |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Leadership and management | Outstanding |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 5 March 2025: 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
225 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025.
Worthing comparisons use the 4 of its 6 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 2 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 | Worthing | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school Joint 2nd highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Worthing. Higher than 63% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 87% | 87% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school 4th highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Worthing. Higher than 52% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 87% | 90% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 3rd highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Worthing. Higher than 70% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 86% | 90% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 91 parents whose child had been bullied 2nd highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Worthing. Higher than 66% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 55% | 56% | 51% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 169 parents who had raised a concern Joint 2nd highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Worthing. Higher than 73% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 79% | 78% | 76% |
| My child with SEND gets the support they needOf 55 parents of children with SEND Joint 5th highest of 8 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in West Sussex. Higher than 28% of 789 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 51% | – | 68% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent Joint 1st highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Worthing. Higher than 77% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 89%said yes | 88% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 21%). 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. Worthing figures pool parents at the Worthing 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
209 pupils in this year group.
47% — about the same as the West Sussex average, and 2 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | West Sussex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 47% | 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. | 48.6 | 46.2 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 4.4 | 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.
225 pupils in this year group.
95% — about the same as the West Sussex average, and 3 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. | 95% | 94% | 92% |
| School sixth form | Not published | 26% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 10% | 20% | 13% |
| Further education college | 78% | 41% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 1% | 2% | 3% |
| Work | 3% | 3% | 3% |
"Not published": Not published (DfE code SP).
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 96% | 95% |
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 | 205 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 213 |
| Of those, offered a place | 193 (91%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 844 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.3 · 2025: 1.2 · 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
Specialist SEND provision: this school has a SEN unit with 41 places for specific learning difficulties (such as dyslexia); Other difficulties or disabilities; Hearing impairment; Speech, language and communication needs; Autism; Social, emotional and mental health needs; Physical disability; Moderate learning difficulties. These places are usually allocated through the council's SEND team.
| Pupils | This school | West Sussex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 4th highest of 6 state secondary schools in Worthing. Higher than 18% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 15.7% | 17.9%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 2nd highest of 6 state secondary schools in Worthing. Higher than 86% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 5.2% | 3.2%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 6th highest of 6 state secondary schools in Worthing. Higher than 31% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 11.3% | 16.9%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 2nd highest of 6 state secondary schools in Worthing. Higher than 38% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 8.5% | 11.6%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 5th lowest of 6 state secondary schools in Worthing. Lower than 41% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 8.9% | 8.6%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 2nd lowest of 6 state secondary schools in Worthing. Lower than 60% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 21.5% | 23.5%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 2nd lowest of 6 state secondary schools in Worthing. Lower than 84% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 4.6 | 16.2 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 2nd lowest of 6 state secondary schools in Worthing. Lower than 85% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 2.7% | 5.9% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded2 pupils | 0.19% | 0.17% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 5th highest of 6 state secondary schools in Worthing. Higher than 30% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 15.9 | 17.0 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 6th highest of 6 state secondary schools in Worthing. Higher than 19% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 10.3 | 11.5 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 2nd highest of 6 state secondary schools in Worthing. Higher than 27% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 9.7% | 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.
SEND provision: Get Information about Schools (DfE).
Nearby secondary schools
- Bohunt School Worthing 0.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2018), confirmed 2023 · 44% grade 5+ English and maths
- Lancing College Preparatory School at Worthing 0.4 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
- St Andrew's CofE High School 0.6 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 36% grade 5+ English and maths
- Our Lady of Sion School 0.7 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 16% A*/A at A level
- Educate U 0.8 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Requires improvement (2025)
- Davison CofE High School for Girls, Worthing 1.1 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2024) · 57% grade 5+ English and maths
- Durrington High School 1.2 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 55% grade 5+ English and maths
- St Oscar Romero Catholic School 2.4 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 60% grade 5+ English and maths
- The Sir Robert Woodard Academy 2.4 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 4 strong, 3 expected · 38% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Worthing High School's Ofsted rating?
Worthing High School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 19 April 2016. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 5 March 2025, Ofsted found the school had maintained its standards.
How did Worthing High School do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 47% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 2 points above the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend Worthing High School?
89% of the 225 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025 said they would recommend Worthing High School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Worthing High School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 213 families put Worthing High School as their first choice for 205 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 193 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 139109.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 3 September 2024 to 1 September 2025.
- 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.