Heron Park Primary Academy, Eastbourne

From the headteacher's welcome: "It is a privilege to introduce you to our vibrant and nurturing school community. At Heron Park, our motto - We care, we play, we grow and always try our best - guides everything we do. We are committed to supporting every child to flourish, nurturing their individuality, curiosity, and confidence."

The school runs a breakfast club from 7:50am.

Coming up: an open day on Wednesday 4 November 2026. Check the school's website before you go, as dates can change.

In 2025, 55% of Year 6 pupils at Heron Park Primary Academy reached the expected standard in reading and 48% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 76% and 72% in East Sussex and 77% and 75% across England.

Results were similar in 2024 (56% in reading, 49% in maths).

For September 2026 entry, 18 families put Heron Park Primary Academy as their first choice and 34 named it as one of their preferences, for 21 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state primary schools to Heron Park Primary Academy are Parkland Junior School (0.6 miles, Good, 79% reading, 76% maths); Parkland Infant School (0.6 miles, Good); Oakwood Primary Academy (0.8 miles, Good, 68% reading, 64% maths); and Shinewater Primary School (0.8 miles, Good, 70% reading, 68% maths).

Each of them had higher 2025 results than Heron Park Primary Academy.

Heron Park Primary Academy is one of 7 schools run by Aurora Academies Trust, an academy trust.

Across the trust's primary schools, 58% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths in 2024/25.

38% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 46 pupils (15.2%) received SEN support and 9 (3%) had an education, health and care plan, against 16.2% and 4.6% at the average state school. The most common need among them is autism.

The nearest railway station is Hampden Park (Sussex) Rail Station, about 310 metres away (roughly a 4-minute walk).

12 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Knoll Crescent (adjacent), 140 metres away.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood Heron Park Primary Academy stands in is among the 10% most deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.

In August 2026, police recorded 237 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and shoplifting. That is well above the typical figure around schools in East Sussex (65), as is usual near a town centre.

In 2024/25, Heron Park Primary Academy issued 53 suspensions, 15.2 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The secondary schools closest to Heron Park Primary Academy are The Eastbourne Academy (0.6 miles), The Turing School (0.7 miles), Ratton School (1.2 miles) and St Catherine's College (1.5 miles).