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Ark Castledown Primary Academy

Hastings, TN34 3QTPrimaryAges 2–11MixedState
Ofsted Rating
Good
Jan 2026
KS2 Results
75%
meeting expected standard in RWM
Competition
1.0×
Not oversubscribed
34 1st-choice / 35 places
Ranking
🏆Top 25%
#2710 of 13,686 nationally

About Ark Castledown Primary Academy

Ark Castledown Primary Academy in Hastings is a state primary school that serves a notably diverse intake. With 396 pupils on roll against a capacity of 480, it is not yet full, but demand is strong: for the 2025/26 reception intake, the school received 83 applications for 35 places, with 34 of those coming as first preferences, giving an oversubscription ratio of 2.37. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals stands at 55.3%, which is significantly above the national average and reflects the school's role in a community with higher-than-average deprivation. The school is mixed, non-religious, and caters for children from age 2 through to 11, with nursery provision on site. Rebecca Stewart is the headteacher, and the school operates under the Ark academy trust.

Key Details

School TypePrimary (State)
Age Range2 to 11 years
GenderMixed
Religious CharacterDoes not apply
AddressPriory Road, Hastings, Hastings, TN34 3QT
HeadteacherRebecca Stewart
Local AuthorityEast Sussex
Number of Pupils396
Free School Meals (FSM)55.3%
School Capacity396 / 480 (83% full)
Nursery ClassesYes

The full report on this school

The inspection in plain English, admissions context, and how this school compares to nearby alternatives — all in one full school report.

  • Ofsted inspection in plain English
    Strengths, concerns and what inspectors flagged
  • Parent View survey results
    What parents told Ofsted — when the school has 10+ responses
  • Where Ofsted and parents disagree
    Gaps to probe + questions to ask at the open day
  • Admissions & catchment
    Admission criteria, distance cutoffs (where the LA publishes them)
  • Nearby schools compared
    Backup options with Ofsted, demand and distance
  • Attendance & behaviour data
    Persistent absentees, suspensions and exclusions vs national
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Ofsted Inspection Breakdown

23 Nov 2021
View Report
Overall Effectiveness
Good
Quality of Education
Good
Behaviour & Attitudes
Good
Personal Development
Good
Leadership & Management
Outstanding
Early Years Provision
Good

Source: Ofsted, 19 Jan 2022. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.

Facilities

9
Dining HallLibraryOutdoor PlaygroundForest SchoolICT SuiteGymnasiumArt StudiosSports HallChapel

Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.

Extracurriculars

11

Sports

CricketDanceAthleticsFootballCross Country

Clubs & Activities

ChessBook ClubGardeningFilm ClubEco ClubCoding

Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.

SEND Support

AutismDyslexiaMental HealthSpeech & LanguagePhysicalLearning DifficultyOther

Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.

School day

Verified

Teaching hours

08:55 – 15:15

Source: arkcastledown.org. Extracted automatically — confirm with the school before relying on these times.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Ark Castledown Primary Academy

Ark Castledown Primary Academy has been rated "Good" by Ofsted. This means the school provides a good standard of education and effectively supports all pupils to succeed.