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OpenSecondaryOfsted: School remains GoodURN 114592

Willingdon Community School

Community school · Eastbourne · BN20 9QX

Ages 11–16 · 1,117 pupils · East Sussex

School website

Ofsted

School remains Good

Attainment 8

47.9

Overall absence

7.5%

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

School remains Good

Inspection date

2023-07-27

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+0.08
−20+2
Attainment 847.9
English & maths grade 5+47%
English & maths grade 4+73%
EBacc entry35%

EBacc APS: 4.2

Source: DfE school and college performance tables

Absence

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

Overall absence7.5%
Persistent absence (10%+)19.1%
Unauthorised2.4%
Authorised absence
5.1%
Severe absence (50%+)
2.7%
Enrolments in measure
1,079

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 fill106%

1,117 pupils · 1,053 places

Pupils on roll
1,117
Boys / girls
595 / 522
School capacity
1,053
Capacity fill
1,117 / 1,053 (106%)
Free school meals
20.1%
FSM pupils
225
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
Mrs Emily May

Location

Address
Broad Road, Lower Willingdon
Postcode
BN20 9QX
Town
Eastbourne
County
East Sussex
Local authority
East Sussex
District
Wealden
Constituency
Lewes
Urban/rural
Urban: Nearer to a major town or city

SEN & specialist provision

As recorded in GIAS — provision detail, not an Ofsted judgement.

SEN types
HI - Hearing Impairment
Special classes
No Special Classes
Resourced provision
Resourced provision
Resourced places
4 on roll / 4 capacity

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 Eastbourne, East Sussex, 1,117 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: non-selective admissions. Free school meals: 20.1%. SEN provision includes: HI - Hearing Impairment.

Open schools in Eastbourne
35
Secondary schools in Eastbourne
5
Academies among open schools in Eastbourne
63% (22)
Open schools in BN20
9
Secondary in BN20
1
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 EastbourneNear BN20

  • The Eastbourne Academy

    Ofsted: Not judged

    Academy sponsor led · Secondary

    Eastbourne · BN22 9RQ · East Sussex

    Ages 11–16

    • Att829.1
    • P8-0.9
    • EM5+17%
    • Absence13.9%

    1.4 miles away

  • Ratton School

    Ofsted: Expected standard

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Eastbourne · BN21 2XR · East Sussex

    Ages 11–16

    • Att841.4
    • P8-0.1
    • EM5+36%
    • Absence8.6%

    1.6 miles away

  • The Turing School

    Ofsted: Needs attention

    Academy sponsor led · Secondary

    Eastbourne · BN23 8EJ · East Sussex

    Ages 11–16

    • Att830.0
    • P8-1.0
    • EM5+17%
    • Absence14.8%

    2.2 miles away

Contact

Headteacher
Mrs Emily May
Telephone
01323485254
Website
http://willingdonschool.org.uk/

Official links