Ark Castledown Primary Academy, Hastings
Data last updated 11 Sept 2026
Location
Estimated admission likelihood based on school density and oversubscription data
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 10 months agoOverall
Quality of Education
Behaviour & Attitudes
Personal Development
Leadership & Management
Early Years
Ofsted Insights
What This School Does Well
This school is exceptional at including every child and making them feel they belong. Teachers are highly skilled at spotting what each child needs and providing the right support, whether that's extra help with reading or managing emotions. Pupils achieve well above average results, especially disadvantaged children, and genuinely love coming to school.
Key Strengths
- Exceptional inclusive culture with expert staff who quickly identify and support pupils' needs
- Above-average pupil achievement across all subjects, with disadvantaged pupils outperforming peers nationally
- Highly positive behaviour and excellent attendance, with staff effectively removing barriers to regular attendance
- Ambitious, well-designed curriculum with strong focus on communication and language development
- Strong leadership that monitors progress closely and shares best practice nationally
Safeguarding
Safeguarding standards are met - leaders have established an open culture where safeguarding is everyone's responsibility and pupils feel safe.
Extracurricular Activities
School councillors, prefects, allotment activities, Hastings carnival parade, singing performances with other schools in London, workshops in artistic, musical, sporting and cultural development, educational trips and visits
Ark Castledown Primary Academy is an exceptionally inclusive school where pupils thrive and feel safe. The school demonstrates strong achievement, with above-average attainment and particularly impressive support for disadvantaged pupils and those with special educational needs.
At a Glance
51.9%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
Yes
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
Primary Performance (KS2)
Academic year 2025/26KS2 Results (% meeting expected standard)
Reading has remained stable at around 80%. Maths has remained stable at around 82%. Writing has declined from 88% to 84%.
Class Sizes
26.1
Avg class size
27.0
Infant (KS1)
26.9
KS2
13
Total classes
2024/25 academic year
Latest from Ark Castledown Primary Academy
From Ark Castledown Primary Academy's website. School Signal is not affiliated with the school.
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Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
84%
Available places
403 pupils
480 capacity
77 spare places available
Area Demand Pressure - Hastings
Based on MHCLG housing supply data for Hastings
Admissions Demand - East Sussex
Places available
5,643
Applications
4,708
Got 1st preference
91.2%
Got preferred school
98.0%
Primary admissions across East Sussex (2025/26)
Inspection History(3)
House Prices
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SEN Provision
How many pupils have special educational needs, what types of support the school provides, and how it compares to similar schools.
Pupil Demographics
The school's pupil mix - ethnicity breakdown, free school meals eligibility, and English as an additional language. Useful context when evaluating school fit.
Teachers & Staff
Teacher qualification rates, pupil-to-teacher ratio, staff turnover, and salary data. Shows how well-resourced and stable the school's workforce is.
School Funding
Annual funding per pupil, total budget, pupil premium grants, and how the school's resources compare to similar schools nationally.
Pupil Absence2024/25
6.44283%
Overall absence
19.32773%
Persistent absence
357
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
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Secondary Schools Nearby
Secondary schools pupils are likely to move to
Ark Castledown Primary Academy
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