Chailey School
Ofsted
Official inspection reports and grades
Inspected 19 January 2022
Results
Compared with the local authority and England
KS4 Results
Attainment and progress
Attainment 8 scores a pupil's best 8 GCSE results, out of about 90. Progress 8 compares those results with pupils who started secondary school at the same level: 0 is average.
| Measure | School | East Sussex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attainment 8 score | 49.3 | 43.1 | 46.1 |
GCSE results
Grade 4 is a standard pass; grade 5 is a strong pass.
| Measure | School | East Sussex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 52% | 42% | 45% |
| Grade 4 or above in English and maths | 71% | 63% | 65% |
| 5 or more GCSEs at grade 9-4, including English and maths | 67% | 57% | 60% |
English Baccalaureate
The EBacc is English, maths, science, a language, and history or geography. It is a set of subjects rather than a qualification.
| Measure | School | East Sussex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entering the EBacc | 71% | 37% | 41% |
| EBacc average point score | 4.7 | 3.8 | 4.1 |
Based on 168 pupils at the end of key stage 4.
Catchment area
Pupils and staff
Pupils
- Pupils
- 862
- Capacity
- 870
- Girls / boys
- 48% / 52%
- Free school meals
- 15%
Staff
- Teachers (FTE)
- 51.1
- Teaching assistants (FTE)
- 7.3
- Leadership (FTE)
- 1.8
- Part-time teachers
- 29%
School workforce census, 2025/26.
Parent View
Ofsted’s survey of parents at this school
92%
of parents would recommend this school to another parent
86%
of parents have a positive overall view of the school
239 responses up to 6 April 2026 · 28% response rate
- Strongly agree
- Agree
- Neither agree nor disagree
- Don’t know
- Disagree
- Strongly disagree
My child is happy at this school.
87% agreeMy child feels safe at this school.
90% agreeThe school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.
88% agreeMy child has been bullied, and the school dealt with it quickly and effectively.
52% agreeMy child has SEND, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.
65% agree
Questions about Chailey School
What is Chailey School's Ofsted rating?
Chailey School's last overall grade from Ofsted was Good, on 8 February 2012. Ofsted inspected it again on 19 January 2022 without giving a new overall grade.
How do I apply for a place at Chailey School?
Apply through the council where you live by 31 October in your child's Year 6, for a place starting the following September. You apply to your home council even if Chailey School is in another council's area, and can usually list between 3 and 6 schools in order of preference. Offers are sent on 1 March, or the next working day.
Does living near Chailey School guarantee a place?
No. Distance only counts when Chailey School has more applicants than places. Then its admission criteria, set by the local authority, East Sussex, decide who is offered a place first. Children in care or adopted from care come first by law. Most schools put brothers and sisters of current pupils next, then distance or a catchment area. How far away the last place went changes every year, depending on who applies.
How many pupils are at Chailey School?
Chailey School had 862 pupils aged 11 to 16 at the latest school census. Its official capacity is 870. It is a mixed school with no sixth form, so students move on at 16.
