Oathall Community College
Haywards Heath, RH16 2AQ · West Sussex · secondary school
Check the area around this school
15th of 38 secondary schools in West Sussex we can score, 40 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 717 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 4.9/10 among them, against 7.1/10 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 | 52 | 35% | 1.84 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 52.9 · 69 | 30% | 2.06 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.28 · 71 | 25% | 1.78 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 51.3 · 75 | 10% | 0.75 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Oathall Community College overview
How it's doing
The school was rated Good by Ofsted in October 2023. In 2024/25, 58.0% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 51.6, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.28 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did better than those nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 5.8 out of 10 among them, against 7.6 out of 10 nationally.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join the Duke of Edinburgh Award and play cricket. Arts provision includes music workshops and theatre trips. Trips range from Geography field trips to Ashdown Forest, Brighton and Cuckmere Haven, to History visits to Ypres and the WW1 battlefields. Language residents go to France, Spain and Germany, while other trips include a ski trip to Austria, a residential to The Gambia, a Year 8 camping trip, and enrichment day trips.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,341 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,350. 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
What Ofsted said about Oathall Community College
Overview
Oathall Community College continues to be a good school, described as a "large, happy school community" where pupils exhibit positive behaviour and strong relationships with staff. The school maintains a clear, ambitious vision for learning, supported by committed staff and a governing body, ensuring pupils are well-prepared for their next steps.
Strengths
- Teachers are "experts in their subjects" who provide precise feedback and plan "engaging and thought-provoking" activities, resulting in high-quality work and strong examination results.
- There is an "exceptionally rich choice of extra-curricular clubs," including volunteering on the school farm, which pupils value for their mental health and character development.
- "Character development is a real strength," with pupils taking on leadership responsibilities, debating moral questions, and receiving thorough careers advice.
- Reading for pleasure is strongly encouraged through daily timetabled slots, with well-trained staff helping pupils who need support to catch up swiftly.
- Bullying is "very rare" and dealt with effectively, contributing to an environment where pupils feel safe and supported.
Areas to improve
- Strategies to support learning are "not yet fully embedded across the school," meaning some pupils, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds or with SEND, do not achieve as well as their peers.
- Leaders need to ensure all teachers consistently employ strategies that will raise achievement for every pupil across all subject areas.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 50.6 |
| 2024/25 | 51.6 |
| 2025/26 | 51.3 |
| 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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