Headstart
Crouch Lane, Ninfield, Battle, TN33 9EGOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Headstart is a special school in Battle for ages 5 to 21. It is one of the 214 schools in East Sussex. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in November 2023.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 21 November 2023, report published 15 January 2024
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Quality of education
- Good
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Outstanding
- Personal development
- Outstanding
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Sixth form provision
- Good
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 21 November 2023
Staff make sure that the school day gets off to a calm and friendly start, checking in with each pupil and providing reassuring support where needed. Pupils are soon busily occupied in a range of activities chosen carefully to appeal to pupils' interests and personal development targets, such as preparing breakfast, playing cricket or completing a word search. Warm and good-humoured relationships ensure that pupils feel secure and respected. Many greet visitors with a cheery 'good morning' and 'how are you?' as they settle happily into a busy school day. The school has high expectations of pupils, with a strong focus on helping them to secure nationally accredited qualifications. Outdoor learning in the school's extensive land-based provision is a key part of school life and makes a strong contribution to learning. For instance, pupils routinely help with tasks such as feeding and moving the animals, as well as completing land-based qualification programmes in subjects such as equine studies and horticulture. The school's culture of understanding, encouragement and reassurance is highly effective in helping pupils to develop a growing sense of self-worth and ambition. Pupils are extremely well prepared for the next stage of their education, both personally and academically.
What the school should improve
- The curriculum is not always adapted well enough to support pupils' emerging needs during lessons. This means that the work is not always matched closely enough to pupils' needs and they learn less well as a result. Leaders have already identified this aspect of the school's work for further development and should deliver improvements as planned.
- The proprietor and governing body do not hold leaders to account for the quality of education rigorously enough. This hinders their effectiveness in monitoring the school's performance and in supporting developments. The school should strengthen this aspect of governance.
Exam results
GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25
8 pupils in the year group
Pupil numbers and mix
50 pupils on roll, with places for 50
Schools near Headstart
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| St Mary's School and 6th Form College | 3 miles | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 10.1 |
| ISP School | 4 miles | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 14.8 |
| Glyne Gap School | 4 miles | Ofsted: Outstanding | 0% met the expected standard |
| Saxon Mount School | 5 miles | Ofsted judgements: Outstanding | Attainment 8: 8.9 |
| New Horizons School (Part of the Sabden Multi Academy Trust) | 5 miles | Ofsted judgements: Good | Attainment 8: 8.9 |
School details
- School type
- Other independent special school
- Sector
- Independent
- Age range
- 5 to 21
- Gender
- Mixed
- Headteacher
- Mr Scott Fasciolo-Barnes
- Phone
- 01424893803
- Address
- Crouch Lane, Ninfield, Battle, TN33 9EG
- Local authority
- East Sussex
- URN
- 134148
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.