The Ropemakers' Academy

  • Special
  • Free school
  • Ages 4 to 16
Ofsted: Good

Reef Way, Hailsham, BN27 1FBOpen in maps

The Ropemakers' Academy is a special school in Hailsham for ages 4 to 16. It is one of the 214 schools in East Sussex. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in June 2023.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 21 June 2023, report published 13 September 2023

Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good
Safeguarding
Met

Read the full Ofsted report

Exam results

SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25

8 pupils took the tests

Expected standard in reading, writing and maths0%

0%, 62 percentage points below the England average of 62%.

Higher standard in reading, writing and maths0%

0%, 8 percentage points below the England average of 8%.

GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25

21 pupils in the year group

Attainment 8 score0.9

0.9, 45.2 below the England average of 46.1.

Grade 5 or above in English and maths0%

0%, 45.4 percentage points below the England average of 45.4%.

Grade 4 or above in English and maths0%

0%, 64.8 percentage points below the England average of 64.8%.

Pupils entering the EBacc0%

0%, 40.5 percentage points below the England average of 40.5%.

EBacc average point score0.06

0.06, 4.03 below the England average of 4.09.

Pupil numbers and mix

115 pupils on roll, with places for 80

Eligible for free school meals61.7%

61.7%, 35.2 percentage points above the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language0.9%

0.9%, 20.7 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support0%

0%, 14.8 percentage points below the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan100%

100%, 94 percentage points above the England average of 6%.

Schools near The Ropemakers' Academy

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
Hazel Court School4 milesOfsted: OutstandingNot published
The Lindfield School5 milesOfsted: OutstandingAttainment 8: 8.6
St Mary's School5 milesOfsted: GoodAttainment 8: 6.8
Summerdown School5 milesOfsted judgements: Outstanding0% met the expected standard
The South Downs School6 milesOfsted: Outstanding0% met the expected standard

School details

School type
Free schools special
Sector
Free school
Trust
THE BECKMEAD TRUST
Age range
4 to 16
Gender
Mixed
Headteacher
Mr Simon Hawthorne
Phone
01323368374
Website
beckmeadtrust.org/ropemakers
Address
Reef Way, Hailsham, BN27 1FB
Local authority
East Sussex
URN
148035

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.