Ofsted: Outstanding

Sunnydown School

verifiedData: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

personMr P Jensen

location_onCaterham, CR3 5ED

language Visit Website phone 1883342281

verified

Ofsted

Outstanding

Inspected 2023

groups

Students

trending_up

Attainment 8

21.8

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GCSE Rank

#84 in Surrey

#3,788 of 4,663 nationally

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Sunnydown School is a Community special school school in Caterham, serving ages 11-16. Rated Outstanding by Ofsted — the highest possible grade.

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School Summary

Sunnydown School is a community special school in Caterham, Surrey, admitting pupils aged 11-16. The school has approximately 91 pupils on roll, of whom 37% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2025, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 21.8, placing the school #84 in Surrey and #3,788 of 4,663 nationally. 14.30% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths.

Ofsted last inspected the school in 2023. The school's current overall rating is Outstanding. Inspectors assessed quality of education as Outstanding, behaviour and attitudes Outstanding, personal development Outstanding, and leadership and management Outstanding.

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 7.1:1. There are no current teaching vacancies.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there were no permanent exclusions. The average suspension rate was 6.6 per 1,000 pupils per term.

verified Source: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

Academic Performance

verified Data: UK Gov 2024/25

analytics

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

2025

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

21.8

Grade 5+ E&M

14.30%

Entering EBacc0.00%

EBacc APS1.74

2024

Progress 8 Score

-0.31

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

27.1

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc0.00%

EBacc APS2.06

2023

Progress 8 Score

-0.44

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

22.0

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc0%

EBacc APS1.82

2022

Progress 8 Score

-1.05

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

24.6

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc0%

EBacc APS2.08

2021

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc0%

EBacc APS-

2019

Progress 8 Score

-0.49

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

30.6

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc0%

EBacc APS2.33

2018

Progress 8 Score

-0.5

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

28.7

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc0%

EBacc APS2.12

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Student Destinations (After Secondary)

This module shows what students did after finishing Key Stage 4 (GCSEs). It reflects how well the school prepares pupils for the real world.

2025

Stayed in Education / Employment

93%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)93%

Apprenticeships0%

Employment0%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)7%

2024

Stayed in Education / Employment

94%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)94%

Apprenticeships0%

Employment0%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)6%

2023

Stayed in Education / Employment

89%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)89%

Apprenticeships0%

Employment0%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)0%

2022

Stayed in Education / Employment

88%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)88%

Apprenticeships0%

Employment0%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)0%

2021

Stayed in Education / Employment

95%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)95%

Apprenticeships0%

Employment0%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)0%

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

23 May 2023

Inspection Report

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19 October 2021

Inspection Report

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12 July 2016

Inspection Report

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02 May 2012

Inspection Report

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17 November 2009

Inspection Report

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05 February 2009

Inspection Report

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14 September 2005

Inspection Report

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18 October 1999

Inspection Report

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Inspection Report

Inspection History

3 Evaluations

2023-05-23

S5 Inspection EIF

Outstanding

Education

Outstanding

Behaviour

Outstanding

Development

Outstanding

Leadership

Outstanding

2016-07-12

Maintained Academy and School Short inspection Legacy

Good

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Good

2012-05-02

None Legacy

Outstanding

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Outstanding

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

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Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Official Department for Education (DfE) data. Suspensions measure temporary removals due to behavior, while exclusions represent permanent removals.

Suspension Rate

7.7%per term

warning Above Average

National average: 7.3% for this term (secondary).

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

4.4%(4 pupils)

Spring term 2025

Represents the proportion of unique students suspended at least once in this term.

Permanent Exclusions

0pupils

verified Excellent (Zero)

National average: 7.398% of pupils excluded per term.

Pastoral Context: In the Spring term of 2025, this school served a headcount of 91 pupils. During this period, there were 7 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 7.7%, which is above the termly national average of 7.3%.

View Historical Disciplinary Records (2017–2025)keyboard_arrow_down

Year / Term	Headcount	Suspensions	Susp. Rate	Nat. Avg
2024/25 (Spring term)	91	7	7.7%	7.3%
2024/25 (Autumn term)	91	5	5.5%	7.8%
2023/24 (Summer term)	91	11	12.1%	7.4%
2023/24 (Spring term)	91	2	2.2%	7.1%
2023/24 (Autumn term)	90	1	1.1%	8.2%
2022/23 (Summer term)	87	1	1.1%	6.6%
2022/23 (Spring term)	87	7	8.0%	6.4%
2022/23 (Autumn term)	87	3	3.4%	5.9%
2021/22 (Summer term)	88	5	5.7%	4.7%
2021/22 (Spring term)	88	4	4.5%	4.9%
2021/22 (Autumn term)	88	3	3.4%	4.4%
2020/21 (Summer term)	88	0	0.0%	3.6%
2020/21 (Spring term)	88	0	0.0%	1.0%
2020/21 (Autumn term)	88	1	1.1%	3.9%
2019/20 (Summer term)	83	0	0.0%	0.0%
2019/20 (Spring term)	83	1	1.2%	3.2%
2019/20 (Autumn term)	83	1	1.2%	4.2%
2018/19 (Summer term)	84	2	2.4%	3.1%
2018/19 (Spring term)	84	2	2.4%	3.8%
2018/19 (Autumn term)	84	1	1.2%	3.8%
2017/18 (Summer term)	82	1	1.2%	3.4%
2017/18 (Spring term)	76	4	5.3%	3.0%
2017/18 (Autumn term)	76	2	2.6%	3.7%
2016/17 (Summer term)	81	5	6.2%	3.0%
2016/17 (Spring term)	83	1	1.2%	3.3%
2016/17 (Autumn term)	83	6	7.2%	3.1%

Source: DfE Suspensions and Permanent Exclusions in England. Data represents termly statistics as published by the Department for Education.

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Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Primary areas of need currently supported by the school. A high number often indicates specialized internal units or high staff experience in these areas.

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 68 pupils

Speech, Language & Communication 15 pupils

Social, Emotional & Mental Health 4 pupils

Specific Learning Difficulty 2 pupils

Moderate Learning Difficulty 1 pupils

Physical Disability 1 pupils

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Parent View on Pastoral Care

Results from the official Ofsted Parent View survey, reflecting direct parent sentiment regarding the school environment.

My child is happy at this school.

71.0%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

79.0%Positive

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

29.0%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree45%

agree26%

disagree8%

strongly disagree16%

don't know5%

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

strongly agree39%

agree32%

disagree5%

strongly disagree18%

don't know5%

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

strongly agree53%

agree13%

disagree11%

strongly disagree13%

not applicable11%

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

yes100%

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

strongly agree61%

agree16%

disagree8%

strongly disagree16%

The school has high expectations for my child.

strongly agree47%

agree26%

disagree8%

strongly disagree16%

don't know3%

My child does well at this school.

strongly agree55%

agree21%

strongly disagree16%

don't know8%

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

strongly agree47%

agree21%

disagree11%

strongly disagree16%

don't know5%

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

strongly agree45%

agree24%

disagree8%

strongly disagree21%

don't know3%

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

strongly agree45%

agree26%

disagree5%

strongly disagree18%

don't know5%

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

strongly agree63%

agree11%

disagree3%

strongly disagree21%

don't know3%

I would recommend this school to another parent.

yes74%

no26%

Sunnydown School

School Summary

Academic Performance

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

Student Destinations (After Secondary)

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Inspection History

Admissions Insight

How Places Are Allocated

Distance to School

Students & School Environment

School Size

Language Diversity

Inclusive Support

Attendance

Ethnicity Breakdown

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Parent View on Pastoral Care

My child is happy at this school.

My child feels safe at this school.

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

The school has high expectations for my child.

My child does well at this school.

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

I would recommend this school to another parent.

Funding & Staffing

Staffing

Teacher Turnover