Ark Castledown Primary Academy
Hastings, TN34 3QT · East Sussex · primary school
3rd of 130 primary schools in East Sussex we can score, 145 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 — 8.9/10 against 854 of them, against 7.4/10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expected standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 78.0 · 84 | 40% | 3.36 |
| Ofsted | 92 | 35% | 3.24 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 8.0 · 57 | 25% | 1.43 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Get to know the school
How it's doing. In 2024/25, 78.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. Only 8.0% reached the higher standard. Ofsted rated the school Good in November 2025. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (8.9 out of 10 against similar schools, 7.4 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom. Pupils join Computing, Illustration, Target Games, Dance, Ball Games, Drama, Textiles, and Gardening clubs. Sports include basketball, netball, football, racket games, and scooters, with entry to the Hastings football tournament. Arts activities feature choir, dance, the Time to Dance Festival, the Ark Music Gala, and carols at Emmanuel Church. Both breakfast and after-school clubs are available.
Getting in. The school has 396 pupils in a building with 480 places, leaving 84 spare spots. This means the school has real spare room, so a place is likely and classes are smaller than it is built for.
Worth asking on a visit. How does the school support pupils who are not yet meeting the expected standard in maths? What specific activities take place during the breakfast and after-school clubs? How does the school maintain its Good rating following the recent inspection?
Written by AI from this school's published results, inspection record and its own website — not by Ofsted, the school, or SchoolsGPT staff. Every figure above comes from the sources on this page. Check anything that matters with the school.
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.
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