Breakwater Academy
Valley Road, Newhaven, BN9 9UTOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Breakwater Academy is a primary school in Newhaven for ages 4 to 11. It is one of the 214 schools in East Sussex. It ranks 31st of 129 primary schools in East Sussex. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in May 2019.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 21 May 2019, report published 16 June 2019
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Early years provision
- Good
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 5 November 2024
Parents and carers say that children 'come on in leaps and bounds' at Breakwater Academy. They are right. Expectations are high. Pupils work hard, meet expectations and are justifiably proud of their achievements. They explain enthusiastically that there is 'lots to learn'. Carefully chosen visits, visitors and experiences help bring learning to life. Pupils learn about their community through taking part in local events and visits to museums and the fire station. They learn about the wider world through opera trips or through working alongside chefs, preparing and serving food. Pupils play their part in making the school a friendly and happy place. They are passionate about the importance of the 'kindness and tolerance charters', which they helped to create. They feel respected and listened to. Pupils learn about the process of democracy through trips to parliament and meeting the local MP. They have used what they have learned to create their own pupil parliament at school. Pupils mostly behave well. There are very few incidents of poor behaviour. Pupils are very understanding of the support some pupils need to help them to manage their behaviour. This helps to make the school an inclusive and welcoming place for everyone.
What the school should improve
- The school is developing ways of checking what pupils know, remember and can do across the foundation subjects. This is not yet fully in place. This can make it difficult for teachers to build on what pupils already know in some subjects. The school should ensure that teachers' checks on pupils' learning are consistent, so that lessons build on what pupils know and can do in all subjects.
- Occasionally, tasks are not sufficiently adapted for pupils. When this happens, some pupils can struggle to learn some of the intended curriculum content. The school should ensure that staff are supported to consistently match and adapt tasks for pupils appropriately so that pupils learn the intended curriculum and experience success.
Exam results
SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25
21 pupils took the tests
Pupil numbers and mix
144 pupils on roll, with places for 210
Schools near Breakwater Academy
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harbour Primary and Nursery School | 0.4 miles | Ofsted: Good | 74% met the expected standard |
| High Cliff Academy | 0.5 miles | Report card: Expected standard | 76% met the expected standard |
| Denton Community Primary School and Nursery | 1 mile | Ofsted: Good | 52% met the expected standard |
| Meridian Community Primary School and Nursery | 2 miles | Ofsted: Good | 31% met the expected standard |
| Peacehaven Heights Academy | 2 miles | Ofsted judgements: Good | 79% met the expected standard |
School details
- School type
- Academy sponsor led
- Sector
- Academy
- Trust
- STEP ACADEMY TRUST
- Age range
- 4 to 11
- Gender
- Mixed
- Nursery classes
- No
- Headteacher
- Ms Sally Franceschi
- Phone
- 01273514300
- Address
- Valley Road, Newhaven, BN9 9UT
- Local authority
- East Sussex
- URN
- 143120
School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Exam results for 2024/25 from the Department for Education. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.