The Hastings Academy
About The Hastings Academy
The Hastings Academy is a mixed, non-denominational secondary school for pupils aged 11 to 16, currently educating 808 students against a capacity of 800 — effectively full. Its intake reflects a slightly above-average level of disadvantage for the area: 14% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, compared with a national secondary average of around 24% and a local context where many schools serve higher proportions. Demand is strong. For the 2025/26 admissions cycle, the school received 394 applications for 189 places, an oversubscription ratio of 2. 08. Of those, 179 families listed it as their first preference, and all 179 received offers. That level of competition suggests the school is a popular choice among Hastings parents, particularly given it sits within a local authority where only four of 29 secondary schools hold an Outstanding rating from Ofsted.
Key Details
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 EnglishStrengths, concerns and what inspectors flagged
- Parent View survey resultsWhat parents told Ofsted — when the school has 10+ responses
- Where Ofsted and parents disagreeGaps to probe + questions to ask at the open day
- Admissions & catchmentAdmission criteria, distance cutoffs (where the LA publishes them)
- Nearby schools comparedBackup options with Ofsted, demand and distance
- Attendance & behaviour dataPersistent absentees, suspensions and exclusions vs national
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
24 May 2023Latest monitoring visit (24 May 2023): School remains Good
Source: Ofsted, 11 Jan 2018. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Hastings Academy
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
Understanding Progress 8
Learn how Progress 8 measures pupil progress from primary to GCSE
SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights
School Admissions Timeline 2026/27
Key dates for primary, secondary and nursery applications