The hardest schools to get into in East Sussex
Secondary: 182 families put The Cavendish School first in 2026 and 114 of them (63%) were offered a place.
Reception: 95 families put Ark Little Ridge Primary Academy first in 2026 and 57 of them (60%) were offered a place.
Every state school in East Sussex with at least 20 first-choice applicants, hardest first. Of the families who put the school first on their application, the share who were offered a place there. Data: Department for Education.
Secondary schools (Year 7)
| # | School | Put it first | Of them, offered | Places |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Cavendish School · Eastbourne | 182 | 114 (63%) | 118 |
| 2 | St Catherine's College · Eastbourne · faith | 296 | 206 (70%) | 211 |
| 3 | Claverham Community College · Battle | 307 | 221 (72%) | 226 |
| 4 | Chailey School · Lewes | 219 | 159 (73%) | 174 |
| 5 | St Richard's Catholic College · Bexhill-on-Sea · faith | 262 | 193 (74%) | 196 |
| 6 | Gildredge House · Eastbourne | 93 | 69 (74%) | 90 |
| 7 | Willingdon Community School · Eastbourne | 248 | 197 (79%) | 206 |
| 8 | Ratton School · Eastbourne | 217 | 180 (83%) | 237 |
| 9 | Uckfield College · Uckfield | 298 | 256 (86%) | 267 |
| 10 | King's Academy Ringmer · Lewes | 140 | 121 (86%) | 149 |
| 11 | Heathfield Community College · Heathfield | 271 | 236 (87%) | 248 |
| 12 | Priory School · Lewes | 228 | 206 (90%) | 229 |
| 13 | Seaford Head School · Seaford | 245 | 226 (92%) | 231 |
| 14 | Beacon Academy · Crowborough | 238 | 226 (95%) | 255 |
| 15 | Peacehaven Community School · Peacehaven | 176 | 169 (96%) | 176 |
| 16 | Bexhill High Academy · Bexhill-on-Sea | 243 | 243 (100%) | 308 |
| 17 | Mulberry Academy Hastings · Hastings | 201 | 201 (100%) | 207 |
| 18 | Ark Alexandra Academy · HASTINGS · faith | 177 | 177 (100%) | 223 |
| 19 | Hailsham Academy · Hailsham | 128 | 128 (100%) | 198 |
| 20 | Uplands Academy · Wadhurst | 124 | 124 (100%) | 166 |
| 21 | Rye College · Rye | 114 | 114 (100%) | 125 |
| 22 | Seahaven Academy · Newhaven | 105 | 105 (100%) | 155 |
| 23 | The Turing School · Eastbourne | 81 | 81 (100%) | 168 |
| 24 | Robertsbridge Community College · Robertsbridge | 76 | 76 (100%) | 118 |
| 25 | The Eastbourne Academy · Eastbourne | 61 | 61 (100%) | 132 |
Primary schools (Reception)
Getting into a school in East Sussex
What is the hardest school to get into in East Sussex?
For secondary places, 182 families put The Cavendish School first in 2026 and 114 of them (63%) were offered a place. For Reception, 95 families put Ark Little Ridge Primary Academy first and 57 of them (60%) were offered a place.
How many families in East Sussex get their first-choice school?
86.3% of families applying for a secondary place got their first preference, and 91.1% of those applying for Reception did (offers for September 2026).
Does putting a school first improve our chances?
Not at the other schools you name. Councils in England use an equal-preference system: every school you list is considered against its own admissions criteria, and if more than one could offer a place you get the one you ranked highest. So list schools in your genuine order of preference, and include at least one you are very likely to get.
What does "last distance offered" mean?
For schools that give places by distance, it is how far from the school the last child offered a place under that criterion lived. It changes every year with the number and location of applicants, so treat it as a guide, not a guarantee. We show it where East Sussex published it in its admissions booklet.