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OpenSecondaryOfsted: Expected standardURN 114594

Chailey School

Community school · Lewes · BN8 4PU

Ages 11–16 · 862 pupils · East Sussex

School website

Ofsted

Expected standard

Attainment 8

53.4

Overall absence

7.8%

Admissions demand

1.29 · Competitive

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

Expected standard

Inspection date

2026-02-10

  • AchievementExpected standard
  • Curriculum and teachingExpected standard
  • InclusionStrong standard
  • Attendance and behaviourStrong standard
  • Personal development and wellbeingStrong standard
  • Leadership and governanceStrong standard

Safeguarding standards: Met

Source: Ofsted monthly management information

Performance

Official school-level results. Figures are not rankings — suppressed values are omitted.

Key stage 4 (2023/24)

Progress 8+0.36
−20+2
Attainment 853.4
English & maths grade 5+65%
English & maths grade 4+80%
EBacc entry73%

EBacc APS: 5.0

Source: DfE school and college performance tables

Absence

Academic year 2023/24. Persistent absence means 10%+ of sessions missed. Lower figures are better.

Overall absence7.8%
Persistent absence (10%+)22.1%
Unauthorised2.8%
Authorised absence
5.0%
Severe absence (50%+)
3.1%
Enrolments in measure
873

Absence trend

2021/22

2022/23

2023/24

  • Overall
  • Persistent (10%+)

Source: DfE pupil absence in schools in England

Admissions demand

Coordinated admissions for secondary entry (2024/25 cycle, national offer day). Demand ratio compares families who listed this school 1st with total offers made — not a catchment or distance guarantee.

Demand ratio

1.29 · Competitive

1st preferences

220

Places offered

171

1st-preference offers

167

Total preferences (any rank)
510
Preferred offers (top 3)
171
Applications from outside LA
178
Offers to outside-LA applicants
22
Admissions policy (GIAS)
Non-selective

Source: DfE primary and secondary school applications and offers. Figures reflect offers on national offer day; late applications, appeals and waiting lists are not included.

Size & intake

From the GIAS school census (15 Jan 2026).

Capacity fill99%

862 pupils · 870 places

Pupils on roll
862
Boys / girls
444 / 418
School capacity
870
Capacity fill
862 / 870 (99%)
Free school meals
14.8%
FSM pupils
128
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Gender
Mixed
School type
Community school

Age range

Ages 11–16

05111619

Provision

Official GIAS characteristics

0 / 6

  • Nursery
  • Sixth form
  • Boarding
  • Special school
  • Independent
  • Academy

School characteristics

Special classes
No Special Classes
Governance
Community school
Headteacher
Mr Paul Holt

Location

Address
Mill Lane, South Chailey
Postcode
BN8 4PU
Town
Lewes
County
East Sussex
Local authority
East Sussex
District
Lewes
Constituency
East Grinstead and Uckfield
Urban/rural
Larger rural: Nearer to a major town or city

Local context

How this school sits among open establishments in its area, using official GIAS records. These are counts, not rankings.

Mixed community school (secondary), Ages 11–16, in Lewes, East Sussex, 862 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: non-selective admissions. Free school meals: 14.8%.

Open schools in Lewes
22
Secondary schools in Lewes
3
Academies among open schools in Lewes
14% (3)
Open schools in BN8
12
Secondary in BN8
2
Open schools in East Sussex LA
220
Secondary in East Sussex LA
23

Nearby secondary schools

Open schools within about 3 miles, prioritising the same phase where possible. Distances are approximate from GIAS coordinates.

Compare with theseAll in LewesNear BN8

  • Plumpton Primary School

    Ofsted: School remains Good

    Community school · Primary

    Lewes · BN7 3EB · East Sussex

    Ages 4–11

    • KS278%
    • Absence6.2%
    • FSM6.6%
    • Demand1.00

    1.5 miles away

  • Chailey Heritage School

    Ofsted: Standards maintained

    Non-maintained special school

    Lewes · BN8 4EF · East Sussex

    Ages 3–19

    • Absence18.7%
    • FSM20.0%

    2.3 miles away

  • Hamsey Community Primary School

    Ofsted: Good

    Community school · Primary

    Lewes · BN8 4SJ · East Sussex

    Ages 4–11

    • KS267%
    • Absence6.6%
    • FSM15.2%
    • Demand1.00

    2.5 miles away

  • Wivelsfield Primary School and Nursery

    Ofsted: School remains Good

    Community school · Primary

    Wivelsfield Green · RH17 7QN · East Sussex

    Ages 4–11

    • KS282%
    • Absence5.5%
    • FSM6.0%
    • Demand1.00

    2.7 miles away

  • Plumpton College

    Further education · 16 plus

    Lewes · BN7 3AE · East Sussex

    Ages 16–99

    3.0 miles away

New to reading school data? See Ofsted ratings explained and how to compare schools.

Contact

Headteacher
Mr Paul Holt
Telephone
01273890407
Website
http://www.chaileyschool.org/

Official links