Telscombe Cliffs Academy

  • Primary
  • Academy
  • Ages 2 to 11
Ofsted judgements: Good to outstanding

Telscombe Cliffs Way, Telscombe Cliffs, Peacehaven, BN10 7DEOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

Telscombe Cliffs Academy is a primary school in Peacehaven for ages 2 to 11. It is one of the 214 schools in East Sussex. It ranks 80th of 129 primary schools in East Sussex. Its latest Ofsted inspection, in January 2025, graded each key judgement and gave no overall Ofsted rating.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 14 January 2025, report published 3 March 2025

This inspection graded each key judgement and gave no overall effectiveness grade.

Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Outstanding
Personal development
Outstanding
Leadership and management
Good
Early years provision
Outstanding
Safeguarding
Met

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 14 January 2025

Pupils are very positive about their school. They are happy about the many aspects that have improved in the last two years. They feel safe here. Their behaviour and attitudes to learning are excellent because of the nurturing environment and their positive relationships with staff. Pupils' own role in improving their school is significant. Their parliament is well established. They know that their views count and are confident to share their own opinions when asked. Expectations of what pupils can achieve in and out of classrooms are high. Raised aspirations for all pupils have transformed the school over time. Pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), are also benefiting from a renewed sense of purpose. As a result, pupils' achievements are improving. Their progress through the curriculum is accelerating and their motivation to do well is palpable. Parents and carers talk positively about the quality of provision in early years. Children in Nursery and Reception Years understand what is expected and what is not. Routines are well embedded and a mantra of 'choose it, use it, put it away' is firmly established. Learning is fun here, but equally as purposeful as elsewhere in the school.

What the school should improve

  • On occasion, the tasks set for most-able pupils do not meet their needs well enough. Levels of challenge for these pupils and expectations of what they can achieve are not high enough. As a result, their progress through the curriculum slows. The school should ensure that teachers adapt the tasks they set to meet the needs of all pupils at the school, especially the most able pupils.
  • Not all staff are implementing the school's phonics programme as rigorously as they should. This impacts on the progress pupils are making on their journey to becoming fluent readers. The school needs to ensure that all staff who teach phonics are experts and that the school's phonics programme is delivered with precision.

Exam results

SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25

84 pupils took the tests

Expected standard in reading, writing and maths62%

62%, the same as the England average.

Higher standard in reading, writing and maths2%

2%, 6 percentage points below the England average of 8%.

Reading, average scaled score103

103, 3 below the England average of 106.

Maths, average scaled score103

103, 2 below the England average of 105.

Grammar, punctuation and spelling, average scaled score103

103, 2 below the England average of 105.

Pupil numbers and mix

521 pupils on roll, with places for 690

Eligible for free school meals19.8%

19.8%, 6.7 percentage points below the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language18%

18%, 3.6 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support16.3%

16.3%, 1.5 percentage points above the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan2.5%

2.5%, 3.5 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near Telscombe Cliffs Academy

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
Peacehaven Heights Academy0.4 milesOfsted judgements: Good79% met the expected standard
Meridian Community Primary School and Nursery0.8 milesOfsted: Good31% met the expected standard
Saltdean Primary School1 mileOfsted: Good52% met the expected standard
St Margaret's CofE Primary School, Rottingdean2 milesOfsted: Good65% met the expected standard
Breakwater Academy2 milesOfsted: Good81% met the expected standard

School details

School type
Academy sponsor led
Sector
Academy
Trust
STEP ACADEMY TRUST
Age range
2 to 11
Gender
Mixed
Nursery classes
Yes
Headteacher
Mr Peter Ediss
Address
Telscombe Cliffs Way, Telscombe Cliffs, Peacehaven, BN10 7DE
Local authority
East Sussex
URN
148927

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.