The Cavendish School

  • All-through
  • Academy
  • Ages 2 to 16
Ofsted judgements: Outstanding

Eldon Road, Eastbourne, BN21 1UEOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

The Cavendish School is an all-through school in Eastbourne for ages 2 to 16. It is one of the 214 schools in East Sussex. It ranks 1st of 7 secondary schools in Eastbourne. Its latest Ofsted inspection, in January 2025, graded each key judgement and gave no overall Ofsted rating.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 28 January 2025, report published 2 March 2025

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

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

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 28 January 2025

Pupils at The Cavendish School thrive on the culture of high expectations. They are motivated and inspired to do well. This ethos, combined with the very effective education provided here, enables them to achieve exceptionally well. The school has fostered a calm and focused learning environment that is free of distractions. This helps all pupils to achieve. Pupils who are disadvantaged, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), learn particularly well. The school's culture is well established from the early years. Staff model and teach the school's values of respect, resilience and responsibility. As a result, these are visible throughout the school. For example, pupils treat each other and their teachers with high levels of respect. Pupils work hard and take responsibility for their learning. During their time at school, pupils benefit from a vast programme of enrichment known as 'The Cavendish Offer'. This is carefully planned so that every pupil benefits. Wider opportunities for clubs and trips are also abundant and pupils take full advantage of these. Many enjoy competing in competitive sports or learning musical instruments. Pupils flourish as a result of taking on wide-ranging leaderships roles from anti-bullying ambassadors to 'curriculum cascaders'.

Exam results

SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25

62 pupils took the tests

Expected standard in reading, writing and maths82%

82%, 20 percentage points above the England average of 62%.

Higher standard in reading, writing and maths10%

10%, 2 percentage points above the England average of 8%.

Reading, average scaled score108

108, 2 above the England average of 106.

Maths, average scaled score109

109, 4 above the England average of 105.

Grammar, punctuation and spelling, average scaled score111

111, 6 above the England average of 105.

GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25

170 pupils in the year group

Attainment 8 score47.3

47.3, 1.2 above the England average of 46.1.

Grade 5 or above in English and maths52.9%

52.9%, 7.5 percentage points above the England average of 45.4%.

Grade 4 or above in English and maths71.8%

71.8%, 7 percentage points above the England average of 64.8%.

Pupils entering the EBacc43.5%

43.5%, 3 percentage points above the England average of 40.5%.

EBacc average point score4.17

4.17, 0.08 above the England average of 4.09.

Pupil numbers and mix

1,399 pupils on roll, with places for 1,320

Eligible for free school meals17.9%

17.9%, 8.6 percentage points below the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language9.9%

9.9%, 11.7 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support11.3%

11.3%, 3.5 percentage points below the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan1.2%

1.2%, 4.8 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near The Cavendish School

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
Ratton School0.7 milesReport card: Expected standardAttainment 8: 43.0
Gildredge House0.8 milesOfsted judgements: GoodAttainment 8: 46.7
Eastbourne College1 mileNo Ofsted inspectionAttainment 8: 40.2
The Eastbourne Academy2 milesOfsted judgements: Inadequate to requires improvementAttainment 8: 37.7
St Andrew's Prep2 milesNo Ofsted inspectionNot published

School details

School type
Academy converter
Sector
Academy
Trust
CAVENDISH EDUCATION TRUST
Age range
2 to 16
Gender
Mixed
Sixth form
No
Nursery classes
Yes
Headteacher
Mr Peter Marchant
Address
Eldon Road, Eastbourne, BN21 1UE
Local authority
East Sussex
URN
138475

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.