Thomas Bennett Community College
Ofsted
Official inspection reports and grades
Inspected 22 September 2026
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 | West Sussex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attainment 8 score | 33.1 | 46.2 | 46.1 |
GCSE results
Grade 4 is a standard pass; grade 5 is a strong pass.
| Measure | School | West Sussex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 22% | 46% | 45% |
| Grade 4 or above in English and maths | 44% | 67% | 65% |
| 5 or more GCSEs at grade 9-4, including English and maths | 37% | 63% | 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 | West Sussex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entering the EBacc | 19% | 37% | 41% |
| EBacc average point score | 2.9 | 4.1 | 4.1 |
Based on 176 pupils at the end of key stage 4.
Catchment area
Pupils and staff
Pupils
- Pupils
- 1,271
- Capacity
- 1,450
- Girls / boys
- 45% / 55%
- Free school meals
- 35%
Staff
- Teachers (FTE)
- 44.4
- Teaching assistants (FTE)
- 14.6
- Leadership (FTE)
- 2
- Part-time teachers
- 4%
School workforce census, 2025/26.
Questions about Thomas Bennett Community College
What is Thomas Bennett Community College's Ofsted rating?
Ofsted inspected Thomas Bennett Community College on 22 September 2026 using a report card, which grades each area separately and gives no overall grade. The school met Ofsted's safeguarding standards. It was graded Expected standard for personal development and wellbeing; Needs attention for achievement, for curriculum and teaching, for inclusion, for leadership and governance, for post-16 provision and for attendance and behaviour.
How do I apply for a place at Thomas Bennett Community College?
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 Thomas Bennett Community College 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 Thomas Bennett Community College guarantee a place?
No. Distance only counts when Thomas Bennett Community College has more applicants than places. Then its admission criteria, set by its academy trust, 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 Thomas Bennett Community College?
Thomas Bennett Community College had 1,271 pupils aged 11 to 18 at the latest school census. Its official capacity is 1,450. It is a mixed school with a sixth form.
Nearby secondary schools
Holy Trinity CofE Secondary School, Crawley
Voluntary aided school
0.9 miles away
St Wilfrid's Catholic Comprehensive School, Crawley
Voluntary aided school
1.0 miles away
Oriel High School
Community school
1.5 miles away
Ifield Community College
Academy converter
1.5 miles away
Hazelwick School
Academy converter
2.1 miles away