The South Downs School

StateSpecial SchoolGeneral SEN

InspectedSpecialAges 4–11178 pupils

Beechy Avenue, BN20 8NUWebsite01323730302

Inspected178 pupilsAges 4–11EHCP

Rights Aware (Silver)(2024)

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Inspected — grade pending1y ago

Inspected Nov 2024

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Ages4 - 11

Pupils178

Inspected — grade pending1y ago

Ages4 - 11

Pupils178

Inspected Nov 2024 · View report

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Type

Academy

Phase

Special School

Age Range

4 - 11

Gender

Co-educational

Capacity

178 / 160 (111%)

Avg Class Size

~25*

Head Teacher

Mrs Rachael Smart

* Estimated based on total pupils and year groups. Actual class sizes may vary.

At a Glance

SENDGeneral SEN

This is a special school. Admission is through an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).

90%

Would recommend

Avg 89%

9.9%

Absence rate

Avg 7.4%

Food hygiene

Key Metrics

Borough Comparison

Absence rate

9.9%vs 7.4% avg

Would recommend

90%vs 89% avg

Absence & Behaviour

Overall absence rate9.9%

National avg: 5.4%

Persistent absence32.4%

National avg: 13.7%

Suspension rate8.3%

Permanent exclusion rate0.0%

2024-25

Inclusion & SEND

SEN Support5.1%

Below averageEngland average: 13%

EHC Plans94.9%

Above averageEngland average: 4.3%

Primary needs breakdown

Autistic Spectrum Disorder116 pupils (65%)

Speech, Language & Communication23 pupils (13%)

Other11 pupils (6%)

Moderate Learning Difficulty9 pupils (5%)

Profound & Multiple Learning Difficulty6 pupils (3%)

Physical Disability4 pupils (2%)

Visual Impairment4 pupils (2%)

Severe Learning Difficulty3 pupils (2%)

Specific Learning Difficulty2 pupils (1%)

2024-25

Source: DfE School Census 2023-24

Staffing

Teachers (FTE)21

Teaching assistants (FTE)52

Support staff (FTE)61

2024-25

Demographics

Total pupils178

Free school meals33.7%

English as additional language9.0%

Ethnic backgrounds

White British76.4%

Other4.5%

White Other3.4%

Mixed White & Asian2.8%

Mixed Other2.2%

Mixed White & Caribbean2.2%

Indian1.7%

Black African1.7%

Asian Other1.1%

Bangladeshi1.1%

Mixed White & African1.1%

Black Other0.6%

Unclassified0.6%

Pakistani0.6%

2024-25

Parent View

90.0%

of parents would recommend

26 responses

Safe★100.0%

Well led★100.0%

Happy child90.0%

Well taught90.0%

Good progress90.0%

Informed90.0%

Good behaviour80.0%

Well looked after60.0%

Bullying dealt with⚠0.0%

2024-25

Local Context

Food hygiene

Inspected Jan 2025

Spending Per Pupil

£18,549

total expenditure per pupil

+£11,149 vs primary national avg (£7,400)

Teaching staff£6,901

Support staff£8,728

Premises£0

Energy£506

Learning resources£321

Income per pupil£25,080

2023-24

Data sourced from the Department for Education, Ofsted, and other government bodies under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Provided for general information only — verify details directly with the school. Terms

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