Willingdon Community School
Eastbourne, BN20 9QX · East Sussex · secondary school
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12th 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 the 876 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 5.1/10 among them, against 5.6/10 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 | 49.3 · 61 | 30% | 1.82 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.08 · 56 | 25% | 1.39 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 45.2 · 45 | 10% | 0.45 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Willingdon Community School overview
How it's doing
The school was rated Good by Ofsted in July 2023. In 2024/25, 48.5% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 45.0, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.08 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 5.0 out of 10 among them, against 5.7 out of 10 nationally.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils participate in a ski trip to Austria, a trip to Ypres, language trips to France, a Morfa Bay outdoor activities centre trip, a geography expedition to Iceland, a charity expedition to Uganda, and a Year 8 residential camp. An after-school club is available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,117 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,053. 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 curriculum support pupils to improve their Progress 8 scores beyond the national baseline? What specific support is offered during the transition to Year
What Ofsted said about Willingdon Community School
Overview
Willingdon Community School continues to be a good school, characterised by high expectations and a strong focus on pupil well-being. The report highlights a "carefully planned and sequenced" curriculum and "exceptionally strong" staff relationships, resulting in excellent attendance and academic progress.
Strengths
- Pupils feel "happy and safe," with bullying described as "uncommon" and dealt with effectively.
- Teachers are "subject experts" who collaborate well, ensuring ambitious content for all pupils, including those with special educational needs.
- External examination outcomes are "extremely strong," with progress significantly above national averages in most subjects.
- Attendance is high, persistent absence is low, and suspensions are "rare," reflecting a culture of mutual respect.
- Careers support is extensive, ensuring "high aspirations" and significant numbers of pupils continue their education post-16.
Areas to improve
- The proportion of pupils studying modern foreign languages is low, limiting the number taking the full English Baccalaureate; leaders must increase uptake.
- Cross-curricular links are not always systematically pursued, causing pupils to miss opportunities to consolidate understanding.
- A small minority of parents feel "negative and uninformed"; leaders should work to ensure all parents are sufficiently engaged.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, supported by a "robust, secure and well-established culture" where staff receive timely training and pupils have confidence in reporting processes.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 47.9 |
| 2024/25 | 45.0 |
| 2025/26 | 45.2 |
| 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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