The South Downs School

Special
Academy
Ages 4 to 11

Ofsted: Outstanding

Beechy Avenue, Eastbourne, BN20 8NUOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

The South Downs School is a special school in Eastbourne for ages 4 to 11. It is one of the 214 schools in East Sussex. Its latest Ofsted rating is Outstanding, from an inspection in June 2014.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 25 June 2014, report published 17 July 2014

Overall effectiveness: Outstanding
Leadership and management: Outstanding

Read the full Ofsted report (opens in a new tab)

Exam results

SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25

15 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%.

Pupil numbers and mix

164 pupils on roll, with places for 160

Eligible for free school meals42.1%

42.1%, 15.6 percentage points above the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language11.6%

11.6%, 10 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support0.6%

0.6%, 14.2 percentage points below the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan99.4%

99.4%, 93.4 percentage points above the England average of 6%.

Schools near The South Downs School

School	Distance	Ofsted	Results
Summerdown School	1 mile	Ofsted judgements: Outstanding	0% met the expected standard
Anderida Learning Centre	2 miles	Ofsted: Good	Not published
The Lindfield School	2 miles	Ofsted: Outstanding	Attainment 8: 8.6
Hazel Court School	3 miles	Ofsted: Outstanding	Not published
Cuckmere House School	5 miles	Ofsted judgements: Good	Attainment 8: 11.2

School details

School type: Academy special converter
Sector: Academy
Trust: THE SOUTHFIELD TRUST
Age range: 4 to 11
Gender: Mixed
Headteacher: Mrs Rachael Smart
Phone: 01323730302
Website: thesouthfieldtrust.com (opens in a new tab)
Address: Beechy Avenue, Eastbourne, BN20 8NU
Local authority: East Sussex
URN: 142745

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.