Ratton School
Eastbourne, BN21 2XR · East Sussex · secondary school
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17th 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 — 5.6/10 against 824 of them, against 4.7/10 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 | 16 | 35% | 0.55 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 45.2 · 50 | 30% | 1.51 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.1 · 42 | 25% | 1.06 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 45.5 · 47 | 10% | 0.47 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Ratton School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 43.2% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 43.0, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.1 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did slightly worse than those nationally starting from the same place. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (5.4 out of 10 against similar schools, 4.4 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted inspected the school in May 2026 under the new framework, which grades areas separately without an overall grade.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,183 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,215. 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 current attainment and the national median? What specific steps are taken to improve progress scores for students entering with similar backgrounds? How does the new Ofsted framework influence current teaching priorities?
What Ofsted said about Ratton School
Overview
The inspection found that Ratton School meets the expected standard across all key areas, including achievement, attendance, behaviour, curriculum, and leadership. Pupils make positive progress through a well-ordered curriculum and benefit from effective support, particularly those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) or disadvantaged backgrounds.
Strengths
- Leaders have created a "well-ordered, ambitious curriculum" and taken effective action to improve teaching, notably developing pupils' "oracy and vocabulary skills".
- Attendance and behaviour are broadly in line with national averages, supported by "clear and established routines" that create a calm learning environment.
- Individualised support for disadvantaged pupils and those with SEND is effective, helping them "achieve well from their starting points".
- Staff are happy and value the "effective programme of professional learning," while governors provide appropriate support and challenge.
- Pupils benefit from a "well-considered programme of personal development" and effective careers provision that prepares them for their next steps.
Areas to improve
- Leaders should ensure assessment practices are embedded across the curriculum so that "gaps in pupils' knowledge are addressed even more quickly".
- Leaders should ensure teaching strategies are adapted and implemented consistently well across the school, so that all pupils "achieve all that they are capable of".
Safeguarding
The safeguarding standards are met, with leaders establishing an open culture where concerns are actively identified and managed, ensuring pupils are made safer and feel safe.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 41.4 |
| 2024/25 | 43.0 |
| 2025/26 | 45.5 |
| 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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