Warden Park Secondary Academy
Haywards Heath, RH17 5DP · West Sussex · secondary school
Check the area around this school
8th 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 577 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 5.3/10 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 | 84 | 35% | 2.94 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 60.3 · 82 | 30% | 2.45 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.28 · 71 | 25% | 1.78 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 55.0 · 85 | 10% | 0.85 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Warden Park Secondary Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 58.2% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 52.4, 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 4.8 out of 10 among them, against 7.6 out of 10 nationally. Ofsted inspected the school in June 2026 under the new framework, which grades areas separately without an overall grade.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,541 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,500. 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
Since the similar-intake comparison shows a lower score than the national figure, what specific support is in place to help pupils reach their potential? How does the new Ofsted framework’s separate grading affect the school’s current improvement plans?
What Ofsted said about Warden Park Secondary Academy
Overview
Warden Park Secondary Academy is described as a school where leaders provide a "clear, strategic direction" and have driven "rapid improvement" in attendance, behaviour, and curriculum design. The report highlights a "highly effective" personal development programme and a culture where pupils feel "safe and valued," resulting in strong overall outcomes and a positive school environment.
Strengths
- Attendance has improved significantly, with figures for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities now "notably high and above the national average."
- Behaviour is excellent; classrooms are "calm," bullying is "rare," and suspensions are "well below the national average."
- The personal development programme is a "notable strength," helping pupils become "enthusiastic, kind and happy" and well-prepared for life in modern Britain.
- Inclusion is robust, with "well-established systems" to support disadvantaged pupils and those with SEND, ensuring they access the "same ambitious curriculum as their peers."
- Leadership is effective, with governors providing "consistent support and challenge" and staff feeling leaders listen to concerns about workload and wellbeing.
Areas to improve
- Teachers should use assessment practices "precisely to address misconceptions" and provide specific feedback so all pupils can achieve consistently well.
- Leaders should continue to embed consistent teaching approaches across the school to ensure precise next steps are given to pupils.
- Leaders should sustain the effectiveness of the personal development programme to drive a "transformational impact for all groups of pupils."
Safeguarding
The safeguarding standards are met, with an "open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility" ensuring pupils are made safer and feel safe.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 54.1 |
| 2024/25 | 52.4 |
| 2025/26 | 55.0 |
| 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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