Beacon Academy
Crowborough, TN6 2AS · East Sussex · secondary school
Check the area around this school
1st 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 the 685 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 6.1/10 among them, against 7.8/10 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 | 94 | 35% | 3.29 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 57.1 · 77 | 30% | 2.31 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.5 · 84 | 25% | 2.10 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 49.4 · 68 | 10% | 0.68 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Beacon Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 61.1% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 50.2, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.5 in 2023/24, indicating better progress than pupils nationally who started from the same place. Ofsted rated the school Outstanding in May 2024. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 6.8 out of 10 among them, against 8.2 out of 10 nationally.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,642 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,550. 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
What support is available for pupils to maintain progress levels above the national baseline? How does the admissions process handle applications when the school is already over its designated place limit?
What Ofsted said about Beacon Academy
Overview
Beacon Academy is described as a school where pupils succeed in living up to "high ambitions," becoming "motivated, articulate, resilient and knowledgeable." The report highlights that disadvantaged pupils and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) achieve exceptionally well, with recent GCSE outcomes reflecting this "strength of pupils’ exceptional achievement."
Strengths
- The curriculum "challenges them to excel," with teachers sequencing learning carefully so each step is achievable and revisiting concepts to develop "deep understanding."
- Assessment provides "real clarity about what pupils know and can do," enabling staff to systematically close gaps in learning and adapt support for SEND pupils.
- Sixth-form students enjoy independence, serve as "leaders and role models," and achieve high standards across a "fully inclusive student cohort."
- The school fosters a "welcoming environment" through programmes like ‘Beyond Beacon’, ensuring pupils are "polite and respectful" and value difference.
- Staff workload is managed effectively, allowing for extensive professional learning that develops "expert teachers" and ensures a "consistent and rigorous approach to teaching."
Areas to improve
- The report identifies no significant areas for improvement.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 52.1 |
| 2024/25 | 50.2 |
| 2025/26 | 49.4 |
| 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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