The Sir Robert Woodard Academy
Sompting, BN15 9QZ · West Sussex · secondary school
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20th 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 883 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 1.8/10 among them, against 3.5/10 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 | 84 | 35% | 2.93 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 37.8 · 32 | 30% | 0.96 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.18 · 36 | 25% | 0.91 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 44.6 · 42 | 10% | 0.42 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
The Sir Robert Woodard Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 37.6% of pupils achieved a grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 42.1, against a national median of 44.6. Progress 8 in 2023/24 was -0.18, 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 1.3 out of 10 among them, against 3.4 out of 10 nationally. Ofsted inspected the school in January 2026 under the new report-card framework, which grades each area separately and gives no overall grade.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join Model UN, debating, chess, mathletes, gardening, un-muck the world!, and Junior Band. Sports include football, athletics, netball, basketball, and Duke of Edinburgh. Arts and music offer band, choir, and dance. The school also runs international trips and an after-school club.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,427 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,400. 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 new Ofsted framework
What Ofsted said about The Sir Robert Woodard Academy
Overview
The report describes a "warm and welcoming school where pupils truly thrive," characterised by a "highly ambitious and inclusive culture." Leaders are praised for being "meticulous" in removing barriers to achievement, particularly for disadvantaged pupils and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). While safeguarding, attendance, behaviour, and inclusion are rated at a "Strong standard," achievement and teaching are at an "Expected standard."
Strengths
- Safeguarding standards are met, with an "open culture" where concerns are "actively identified, acted upon and managed."
- Attendance and behaviour are strong; pupils are "enthusiastic to attend school regularly" and lessons are "calm and purposeful."
- Inclusion is highly effective, with SEND needs "quickly and accurately identified" and support adapted to ensure positive impact.
- Leadership is "consistently ambitious," with trustees holding leaders to account to ensure improvements are "made in a sustained way."
- Personal development is strong, with pupils encouraged to explore talents through a "broad range of clubs, performances and activities."
Areas to improve
- Leaders should "continue to embed improvements in how assessment is used to adapt and refine teaching across the school, including in writing."
- Staff need to become more confident in "checking what pupils have understood and precisely adapting their teaching to meet pupils’ needs" to prevent some pupils from progressing less well than they could.
Safeguarding
The safeguarding standards are met, meaning leaders have established an open culture where safeguarding is everyone's responsibility and pupils are made safer and feel safe.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 44.4 |
| 2024/25 | 42.1 |
| 2025/26 | 44.6 |
| 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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