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OpenOfsted: GoodURN 148035

The Ropemakers' Academy

Free schools special · Hailsham · BN27 1FB

Ages 4–16 · 115 pupils · East Sussex

School website

Ofsted

Good

Attainment 8

2.8

Overall absence

26.5%

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

Good

Inspection date

2023-06-21

Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good
Safeguarding effective
Yes

Source: Ofsted monthly management information

Performance

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

Key stage 4 (2023/24)

Progress 8-2.10
−20+2
Attainment 82.8
English & maths grade 5+0%
English & maths grade 4+0%
EBacc entry0%

EBacc APS: 0.1

Key stage 2 (2023/24)

Expected standard (RWM)0%
Higher standard (RWM)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 absence26.5%
Persistent absence (10%+)52.3%
Unauthorised9.9%
Authorised absence
16.6%
Severe absence (50%+)
24.4%
Enrolments in measure
86

Absence trend

2021/22

2022/23

2023/24

  • Overall
  • Persistent (10%+)

Source: DfE pupil absence in schools in England

Size & intake

From the GIAS school census (15 Jan 2026).

Capacity fill120%

115 pupils · 80 places

Pupils on roll
115
Boys / girls
78 / 37
School capacity
80
Capacity fill
115 / 80 (144%)
Free school meals
61.7%
FSM pupils
71
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Gender
Mixed
School type
Free schools special

Age range

Ages 4–16

05111619

Provision

Official GIAS characteristics

1 / 6

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

School characteristics

Governance
Academy trust: THE BECKMEAD TRUST
Academy trust
THE BECKMEAD TRUST
Headteacher
Mr Simon Hawthorne

Location

Address
Reef Way
Postcode
BN27 1FB
Town
Hailsham
County
East Sussex
Local authority
East Sussex
District
Wealden
Constituency
Sussex Weald
Urban/rural
Urban: 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 free schools special, Ages 4–16, in Hailsham, East Sussex, 115 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: special school, non-selective admissions. Free school meals: 61.7%.

Open schools in Hailsham
11
Academies among open schools in Hailsham
64% (7)
Open schools in BN27
11
Open schools in East Sussex LA
220

Nearby schools

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

Compare with theseAll in HailshamNear BN27

  • White House Academy

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy sponsor led · Primary

    Hailsham · BN27 2FB · East Sussex

    Ages 4–11

    • KS257%
    • Absence7.8%
    • FSM40.5%

    0.2 miles away

  • Hailsham Academy

    Ofsted: Inadequate

    Academy converter · All-through

    Hailsham · BN27 1DT · East Sussex

    Ages 2–18

    • FSM27.3%

    0.2 miles away

  • Thornton Grove Academy

    Academy sponsor led · Primary

    Hailsham · BN27 2PH · East Sussex

    Ages 3–11

    • FSM44.5%

    0.4 miles away

  • Hawkes Farm Academy

    Ofsted: Not judged

    Academy sponsor led · Primary

    Hailsham · BN27 1ND · East Sussex

    Ages 4–11

    • KS259%
    • Absence5.8%
    • FSM28.0%

    0.7 miles away

  • East Sussex Academy

    Ofsted: Inadequate

    Academy alternative provision converter

    Hailsham · BN27 3NW · East Sussex

    Ages 4–16

    • FSM62.5%

    1.0 miles away

  • Park Mead Primary School

    Ofsted: Standards maintained

    Community school · Primary

    Hailsham · BN27 3QP · East Sussex

    Ages 4–11

    • KS286%
    • Absence6.3%
    • FSM17.8%

    2.4 miles away

Contact

Headteacher
Mr Simon Hawthorne
Telephone
01323368374
Website
https://www.beckmeadtrust.org/ropemakers

Official links