High Cliff Academy
77%
Capacity
162
Pupils
2.6x
Demand
About High Cliff Academy
High Cliff Academy is a state-funded None primary school serving the Lewes community, welcoming children from age 4 to 11. The school has 162 pupils on roll, operating at 77% capacity.
the school is led by headteacher Carla Botting, it falls under East Sussex local authority.
In terms of academic performance, 70% of pupils met the expected standard in Reading, Writing and Maths at KS2 — above the national average. Additionally, ranked 4320th out of 13,686 schools in England. Additionally, 7th out of 23 in Lewes.
High Cliff Academy is a popular choice with families — it received 55 applications for 21 places, making it 2.6x oversubscribed. Of these, 16 were first-preference applications.
High Cliff Academy has mixed reviews on SchoolParrot (2.8/5 from 4 parents).
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 7 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), Moderate Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional & Mental Health and 4 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at High Cliff Academy include Music Rooms, Dining Hall, Art Studios, Sports Hall, Gymnasium, Outdoor Playground, Playing Fields, ICT Suite.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Cross Country, Netball, Gymnastics, Athletics and 2 more, as well as clubs including Coding, Film Club, Gardening.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 34.6%, which is well above the national average for primary schools in England.
For families exploring primary schools in Lewes, High Cliff Academy is one of the options available in the South East region. Use Classpot to compare it side-by-side with nearby alternatives and find the best fit for your child.
Key Details
| School Type | Primary (State) |
| Age Range | 4 to 11 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | None |
| Address | Southdown Road, Newhaven, Lewes, BN9 9FD |
| Headteacher | Carla Botting |
| Local Authority | East Sussex |
| Number of Pupils | 162 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 34.6% |
| School Capacity | 162 / 210 (77% full) |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
22 Nov 2023Overall Effectiveness
Outstanding
Latest inspection (22 Nov 2023): School remains Outstanding (Concerns) - S5 Next
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 11 Jul 2018. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths (70%)
4320th of 13,686
Nationally
597th of 2,034
In South East
7th of 23
In Lewes
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths data
KS2 SATs Results
2023/24Reading, Writing & Maths Combined
70%
Expected Standard
0%
Higher Standard
'22/23
53%
'23/24
70%
Source: Department for Education, 2023/24. National expected standard benchmark is around 65%.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
8Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
9Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed21
55
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
16 families put this school as their 1st choice (29% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About High Cliff Academy
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
How to Choose a Primary School
Step-by-step guide to choosing the right primary school
KS2 SATs Explained
A parent's guide to Year 6 SATs and how results are reported
SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights
Contact Information
Southdown Road, Newhaven
Lewes, BN9 9FD
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Reviews on Other Platforms
External reviews are provided by third-party platforms and are not verified by Classpot.
Opening Hours
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