Ofsted: Outstanding trending_up Popular emoji_events #3 in East Sussex public Top 14% UK

Beacon Academy

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

personMs Anna Robinson

corporate_fareMARK EDUCATION TRUST

location_onCrowborough, TN6 2AS

language Visit Website phone 1892603000

verified

Ofsted

Outstanding

Inspected 2024

groups

Students

1,592

trending_up

Attainment 8

50.2

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GCSE Rank

#3 in East Sussex

#911 of 3,216 nationally

summarize

Beacon Academy is a Academy converter secondary school in Crowborough, serving ages 11-18. Rated Outstanding by Ofsted — the highest possible grade. Demand is above capacity (1.0×) — apply through your local authority on time.

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School Summary

Beacon Academy is an academy converter in Crowborough, East Sussex, admitting pupils aged 11-18. It has a sixth form offering post-16 education. It is part of MARK EDUCATION TRUST. The school has approximately 1,662 pupils on roll, of whom 15% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2025, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 50.2, placing the school #3 in East Sussex and #911 of 3,216 nationally. 61.10% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths. 21.2% of all GCSE entries were graded 9–7.

The sixth form offers 19 A-level subjects. 48.6% of A-level entries were graded A*–B, with 18.5% at A*–A. A-level value added: -0.06 — sixth-form progress was broadly average.

Ofsted last inspected the school in 2024. 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 school is oversubscribed — in the most recent cycle, there were 1.0× as many applications as places, making a successful application competitive.

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 17.6:1. There are 3 teaching vacancies.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there were no permanent exclusions. The average suspension rate was 4.3 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

50.2

Grade 5+ E&M

61.10%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)21.2%

Entering EBacc27.80%

EBacc APS4.43

2024

Progress 8 Score

0.5

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

52.1

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc45.20%

EBacc APS4.82

2023

Progress 8 Score

0.43

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

51.7

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc42%

EBacc APS4.78

2022

Progress 8 Score

0.63

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc40%

EBacc APS4.98

2021

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc44%

EBacc APS-

2019

Progress 8 Score

0.97

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc41%

EBacc APS4.86

2018

Progress 8 Score

0.7

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

50.7

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc38%

EBacc APS4.47

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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

94%

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

Apprenticeships1%

Employment5%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)4%

2024

Stayed in Education / Employment

96%

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

Apprenticeships3%

Employment4%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)4%

2023

Stayed in Education / Employment

94%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)85%

Apprenticeships2%

Employment6%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)6%

2022

Stayed in Education / Employment

96%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)91%

Apprenticeships1%

Employment4%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)4%

2021

Stayed in Education / Employment

94%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)91%

ApprenticeshipsSP%

Employment2%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)5%

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Sixth Form (A-Level) Performance

A-level results for students who stayed in sixth form at this school. Value added measures how much progress students made relative to their GCSE starting point.

2025

A-Level Value Added

-0.06

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make broadly expected progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

C+

Students

Grade Breakdown

Achieving A*4.7%

Achieving A*–A18.5%

Achieving A*–B48.6%

VA Banding Average

Retention rate97.8%

A-level subjects offered19

2024

A-Level Value Added

-0.13

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make below-expected progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

B-

Students

Retention rate92.80%

2023

Avg Grade

C+

Students

Retention rate97.00%

2022

Avg Grade

B-

Students

Retention rate98.8%

Source: DfE A Level and Other 16-18 Results

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

16 April 2024

Inspection Report

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07 December 2022

Inspection Report

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21 March 2017

Inspection Report

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18 April 2013

Inspection Report

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10 August 2012

Inspection Report

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Inspection Report

Inspection History

3 Evaluations

2024-04-16

S5 Inspection EIF

Outstanding

Education

Outstanding

Behaviour

Outstanding

Development

Outstanding

Leadership

Outstanding

2017-03-21

Maintained Academy and School Short inspection Legacy

Good

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Outstanding

2013-04-18

None Legacy

Good

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

5.4%per term

sentiment_satisfied Below Average (Good)

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

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

2.3%(38 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 1,662 pupils. During this period, there were 90 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 5.4%, which is below the termly national average of 7.3%.

View Historical Disciplinary Records (2017–2025)keyboard_arrow_down

Year / Term	Headcount	Suspensions	Susp. Rate	Nat. Avg	Perm. Excl.
2024/25 (Spring term)	1,662	90	5.4%	7.3%	0
2024/25 (Autumn term)	1,657	52	3.1%	7.8%	0
2023/24 (Summer term)	1,613	94	5.8%	7.4%	0
2023/24 (Spring term)	1,619	80	4.9%	7.1%	0
2023/24 (Autumn term)	1,640	107	6.5%	8.2%	1
2022/23 (Summer term)	1,584	96	6.1%	6.6%	0
2022/23 (Spring term)	1,592	96	6.0%	6.4%	0
2022/23 (Autumn term)	1,598	73	4.6%	5.9%	0
2021/22 (Summer term)	1,516	39	2.6%	4.7%	0
2021/22 (Spring term)	1,513	38	2.5%	4.9%	0
2021/22 (Autumn term)	1,520	18	1.2%	4.4%	0
2020/21 (Summer term)	1,449	22	1.5%	3.6%	0
2020/21 (Spring term)	1,453	8	0.6%	1.0%	0
2020/21 (Autumn term)	1,452	11	0.8%	3.9%	0
2019/20 (Summer term)	1,381	0	0.0%	0.0%	0
2019/20 (Spring term)	1,381	10	0.7%	3.2%	0
2019/20 (Autumn term)	1,388	24	1.7%	4.2%	0
2018/19 (Summer term)	1,300	18	1.4%	3.1%	0
2018/19 (Spring term)	1,297	18	1.4%	3.8%	0
2018/19 (Autumn term)	1,302	19	1.5%	3.8%	0
2017/18 (Summer term)	1,258	35	2.8%	3.4%	1
2017/18 (Spring term)	1,265	35	2.8%	3.0%	0
2017/18 (Autumn term)	1,266	34	2.7%	3.7%	1
2016/17 (Summer term)	1,242	36	2.9%	3.0%	0
2016/17 (Spring term)	1,258	22	1.7%	3.3%	0
2016/17 (Autumn term)	1,265	21	1.7%	3.1%	0

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.

Specific Learning Difficulty 67 pupils

Social, Emotional & Mental Health 48 pupils

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 39 pupils

Speech, Language & Communication 15 pupils

Moderate Learning Difficulty 7 pupils

Severe Learning Difficulty 4 pupils

Hearing Impairment 4 pupils

Other Difficulty/Disability 3 pupils

Visual Impairment 2 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.

82.0%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

83.0%Positive

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

18.0%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree22%

agree46%

disagree21%

strongly disagree5%

don't know6%

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

strongly agree23%

agree46%

disagree22%

strongly disagree4%

don't know5%

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

strongly agree33%

agree29%

disagree14%

strongly disagree5%

don't know2%

not applicable17%

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

yes19%

no81%

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

strongly agree18%

agree36%

disagree24%

strongly disagree15%

dont know7%

The school has high expectations for my child.

strongly agree38%

agree45%

disagree9%

strongly disagree1%

don't know7%

My child does well at this school.

strongly agree32%

agree52%

disagree11%

strongly disagree2%

don't know2%

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

strongly agree28%

agree57%

disagree13%

strongly disagree2%

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

strongly agree32%

agree60%

disagree8%

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

strongly agree40%

agree53%

disagree3%

strongly disagree1%

don't know3%

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

strongly agree27%

agree45%

disagree16%

strongly disagree3%

don't know9%

I would recommend this school to another parent.

yes82%

no18%

Top Secondary Schools in East Sussex

Other highly-ranked schools in the same local authority

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Claverham Community College

Good

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Heathfield Community College

Good

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Good

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Seaford Head School

Outstanding

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King's Academy Ringmer

Good

location_on Lewes, BN8 5RB

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Uckfield College

Outstanding

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School Summary

Academic Performance

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

Student Destinations (After Secondary)

Sixth Form (A-Level) Performance

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Inspection History

Admissions Insight

How Places Are Allocated

Distance to School

School Capacity

Secondary Admission Trends

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.

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

School Funding Allocation

Funding Breakdown

Staffing

Teacher Turnover

Top Secondary Schools in East Sussex

Claverham Community College

Heathfield Community College

Chailey School

Seaford Head School

King's Academy Ringmer

Uckfield College