Ark Alexandra Academy
HASTINGS, TN34 2PG · East Sussex · secondary school
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10th of 24 secondary schools in East Sussex we can score, 26 in total — the rest without enough published data. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still — 5.1/10 against 799 of them, against 4.1/10 nationally. Both figures are results only, without the inspection grade. A lower figure here means a stronger comparison group, not a weaker school.
How this is worked out
| Measure | Percentile | Weight | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ofsted | 86 | 35% | 3.03 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 52.9 · 69 | 30% | 2.06 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.79 · 6 | 25% | 0.15 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 45.4 · 46 | 10% | 0.46 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Ark Alexandra Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 40.7% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 42.6, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.79 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did worse than those nationally who started from the same place. Its results are much the same when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds, so the gap is not explained by intake (2.7 out of 10 either way). Ofsted inspected the school in June 2026 under the new framework, which grades areas separately without an overall grade.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join Dance, Combined Cadet Force, and Duke of Edinburgh clubs. Sports include football, netball, basketball, athletics, gymnastics, cricket, rugby, and badminton. Arts activities feature performances at the National Theatre Connections, RSC productions, and various festivals. Trips include visits to Rambert Dance, Shakespeare’s Globe, and the Royal Shakespeare Company.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,315 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,800. These whole-school figures do not establish entry-year vacancies or the likelihood of an offer. Confirm entry-year availability and admissions criteria with the school or local authority.
Worth asking on a visit
How does the school support pupils to close the gap between their Progress 8 score and the national benchmark? What specific support is
What Ofsted said about Ark Alexandra Academy
Overview
Ark Alexandra Academy is described as a “highly inclusive school” where leaders have driven “substantial improvements” across all aspects of provision. The report highlights a “rapid rise” in pupil achievement and attendance, noting that the school now meets or exceeds national standards in many areas. Pupils thrive in a “calm, orderly and respectful environment” underpinned by a strong Christian ethos.
Strengths
- Pupils “achieve very well” with attainment rising rapidly; disadvantaged and SEND pupils make “particularly positive progress”.
- Attendance has improved “continually” and is now above average, with persistent absence halved through effective liaison with parents.
- Staff are “experts in their subjects” who use “very effective approaches” to support learning and adapt for individual needs.
- Vulnerable pupils are “at the front and centre” of the school’s work, supported by robust processes and the ‘Compass’ provision.
- Personal development is strong, with pupils demonstrating “respect and kindness” and benefiting from a wide range of enrichment activities.
Areas to improve
- Leaders should “continue their highly effective work” to ensure that significant successes in achievement and other key areas are “sustained over time”.
Safeguarding
The safeguarding standards are met, with an “open culture” established where concerns are “actively identified, acted upon and managed,” ensuring pupils “feel safe.”
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 38.4 |
| 2024/25 | 42.6 |
| 2025/26 | 45.4 |
| England | 44.9 |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 3,682 state schools in England we hold a 2025/26 figure for — a school-level median, not the DfE's pupil-weighted national figure.
Your offer chance
—Based on official applications/offers, distance and catchment where we have it. Bands only — never a percentage.
Sibling, faith, looked-after and other criteria can override distance. Always confirm with the school or local authority.
Next dates
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2026
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2027
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2027
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2028
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