The Littlehampton Academy
Littlehampton, BN17 6FE · West Sussex · secondary school
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38th 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 877 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 0.5/10 among them, against 1.4/10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ofsted | 12 | 35% | 0.41 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 32.8 · 20 | 30% | 0.60 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.69 · 9 | 25% | 0.22 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 36.3 · 8 | 10% | 0.08 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
The Littlehampton Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 31.8% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 37.2, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.69 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did worse 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 0.5 out of 10 among them, against 1.5 out of 10 nationally. Ofsted inspected the school in February 2026 under the new framework, which grades areas separately without an overall grade.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join Student Parliament, Student Voice, Scholars, and the Dabce club, play football, and attend an after-school club.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,324 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,900. 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 improve their Progress 8 scores? What specific support is available for students aiming to raise their Attainment 8? How does the new Ofsted framework influence current teaching priorities?
What Ofsted said about The Littlehampton Academy
Overview
The report describes a school where leaders have made "important improvements" to the curriculum and teaching, creating an "inclusive culture" that supports pupils with diverse needs. While safeguarding standards are met and the sixth form performs well, the school faces significant challenges with "persistent absence" and low achievement in key stage 4, which remains "well below national averages."
Strengths
- Safeguarding standards are met, with an "open culture" where concerns are "actively identified, acted upon and managed."
- The curriculum is "ambitious, broad and aligned with national expectations," with content sequenced carefully to build "secure knowledge."
- Inclusion is effective, with "therapeutic pathways" and specialist provision helping pupils with SEND and those known to social care to "re‑engage and feel safe."
- Post-16 provision is strong, with students achieving well and receiving "clear, impartial guidance" for their future careers.
- Staff receive "evidence‑informed training," and leaders use resources purposefully to support pupil wellbeing and achievement.
Areas to improve
- Leaders must reduce "persistent absenteeism," which remains "very high" and limits learning, particularly for disadvantaged pupils.
- Teachers must routinely check pupils’ understanding to close "unaddressed gaps" in key stage 4, ensuring they can "explain their thinking" fluently.
- Leaders should strengthen "positive and inclusive approaches" to behaviour, addressing concerns that some pupils lack confidence that bullying is always resolved effectively.
Safeguarding
The report states that "safeguarding standards are met," meaning leaders have established an open culture where safeguarding is everyone's responsibility and pupils are made safer.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 37.3 |
| 2024/25 | 37.2 |
| 2025/26 | 36.3 |
| 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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