The Hastings Academy
101%
Capacity
808
Pupils
2.1x
Demand
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.
Academically, The Hastings Academy performs well above the local average. Its Progress 8 score of 0.4 is classified as 'Above average' nationally, and significantly higher than the East Sussex LA average of -0.16. In Hastings itself, it ranks first among three secondary schools on this metric, and fifth out of 29 across the wider authority. Attainment 8 sits at 52, and 79.2% of pupils achieved a grade 4 or above in English and maths — the basics measure. The EBacc average point score is 4.52, though only 17.9% of pupils entered the full EBacc suite of subjects. In its most recent graded inspection (2017), Ofsted rated the school Good overall, with Good for leadership and management. An ungraded inspection in May 2023 confirmed the school remains Good, with no change to its rating.
The school offers a broad range of facilities, including science labs, an astro turf pitch, a swimming pool, tennis courts, and a gymnasium. Sports provision is extensive, with options from rowing and rugby to martial arts and gymnastics. There is a strong set of SEND provisions covering seven areas, including support for autistic spectrum disorder, dyslexia, and speech, language and communication needs. Clubs include chess, debate, Model UN, coding and gardening. There is no sixth form or nursery provision, and the school is not a boarding school. This is a well-subscribed, academically strong secondary that suits families looking for a non-selective state school with above-average progress, solid facilities, and a clear demand signal from the local community.
Key Details
| School Type | Secondary (State) |
| Age Range | 11 to 16 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Does not apply |
| Address | Rye Road, Hastings, Hastings, TN35 5DN |
| Headteacher | Simon Addison |
| Local Authority | East Sussex |
| Number of Pupils | 808 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 14.0% |
| School Capacity | 808 / 800 (101% full) |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
24 May 2023Overall Effectiveness
Good
Latest inspection (24 May 2023): School remains Good
Source: Ofsted, 11 Jan 2018. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (+0.40)
657th of 3,141
Nationally
105th of 461
In South East
1st of 3
In Hastings
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE Progress 8 data
GCSE Results
2023/24Progress 8 Score
Students make more progress than similar students nationally
Attainment 8 (vs national avg)
Students achieve significantly higher grades than the national average
Source: Department for Education, 2023/24. Progress 8 compares to students with similar Key Stage 2 results.
Where GCSE leavers go
2022/2333%
of GCSE leavers stay on for sixth form at this school (cohort: 159 pupils).
- FE college35%
- School sixth form (stay)33%
- Sixth form college14%
- Apprenticeship7%
- Employment4%
- Not sustained4%
95% of leavers had a sustained destination 6 months on.
Source: DfE Compare School & College Performance, KS4 pupil destinations 2022/23 (revised). Only state-funded schools are required to report.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
11Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
15Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed189
394
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
179 families put this school as their 1st choice (45% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Class profile
2024/25Better than half of schools in England.
Better than half of schools in England.
Lower is generally better — fewer pupils per teacher or per class means more individual attention. Sources: DfE School Workforce Census & Schools, pupils and their characteristics, 2024/25.
Pupils & demographics
2024/25Below the national average (25%).
Lower than the national median (10%) — mostly English as first language.
Ethnic background
- White British89.6%
- Mixed4.0%
- White (other)3.3%
- Asian1.6%
Source: DfE Schools, pupils and their characteristics (2024/25). Percentages may not sum to 100% — pupils classified as “unclassified”, “refused” or minor categories are not shown.
Attendance & Behaviour
2024/2575% of schools in England do better than this.
Half of schools in England do better than this.
Pupils missing 10% or more of sessions.
75% of schools in England do better than this.
A pupil temporarily sent home for behaviour.
Like most schools in England, no pupils were permanently excluded this year.
Ranks vs all state-funded schools in England. Source: DfE Pupil absence in schools & Suspensions and permanent exclusions.
Catchment & Local Competition
No catchment data published for this school
The dashed grey ring is a generic 1-mile reference area — it's not an admission boundary. Real catchment depends on year, demand, and council criteria. We currently have real data for about 6% of UK schools and are actively expanding the database.
⚠ This school is oversubscribed — without published cutoff data we can't show how far places reach. Check your council's admissions page.
Schools within 1 mile (reference area)
1 mile is a fixed reference, not this school's catchment.
3
Total schools
3
Oversubscribed
2
Primary
Don’t use the dashed grey ring as a catchment boundary — it’s a reference area for counting nearby schools only. Real admission boundaries depend on year-by-year demand and council criteria; ask the school or council for authoritative info.
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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
Understanding School Catchment Areas
How admission distances work and tips for maximising your choices
Contact Information
Rye Road, Hastings
Hastings, TN35 5DN
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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