Willingdon Community School
104%
Capacity
1,093
Pupils
2.8x
Demand
About Willingdon Community School
Willingdon Community School is a state-funded Does not apply secondary school serving the Wealden community, welcoming children from age 11 to 16. The school has 1,093 pupils on roll and is near full capacity (104% of 1,053 places).
Ofsted has rated Willingdon Community School "Good", the school is led by headteacher Emily May, it falls under East Sussex local authority.
In terms of academic performance, its Progress 8 score of +0.08 is above the national average. Additionally, Attainment 8 is solid at 47.9. Additionally, ranked 1361st out of 3,141 schools in England. Additionally, 3rd out of 5 in Wealden.
Willingdon Community School is a popular choice with families — it received 567 applications for 206 places, making it 2.8x oversubscribed. Of these, 265 were first-preference applications.
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 9 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), Moderate Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional & Mental Health and 6 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at Willingdon Community School include ICT Suite, Art Studios, Sports Hall, Astro Turf, Swimming Pool, Library, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Athletics, Gymnastics, Cricket, Netball and 2 more, as well as clubs including Young Enterprise, Science Club, Chess, Coding and 4 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 18.9%, which is below the national average for secondary schools in England.
For families exploring secondary schools in Wealden, Willingdon Community School 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 | Secondary (State) |
| Age Range | 11 to 16 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Does not apply |
| Address | Broad Road, Eastbourne, Wealden, BN20 9QX |
| Headteacher | Emily May |
| Local Authority | East Sussex |
| Number of Pupils | 1,093 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 18.9% |
| School Capacity | 1,093 / 1,053 (104% full) |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
14 Jun 2023Overall Effectiveness
Good
Latest inspection (14 Jun 2023): School remains Good
Source: Ofsted, 25 Oct 2012. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (+0.08)
1361st of 3,141
Nationally
210th of 461
In South East
3rd of 5
In Wealden
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE Progress 8 data
GCSE Results
2023/24Progress 8 Score
Students make similar progress to students nationally with the same starting point
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.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
7Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
14Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed206
567
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
265 families put this school as their 1st choice (47% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Willingdon Community School
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
Broad Road, Eastbourne
Wealden, BN20 9QX
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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