- How many pupils attend Thornton Grove Academy?
- Thornton Grove Academy has 253 pupils on roll.
- What ages does Thornton Grove Academy take?
- Thornton Grove Academy admits pupils aged 3 to 11.
- Where is Thornton Grove Academy located?
- Thornton Grove Academy is located in Hailsham, BN27 2PH, East Sussex.
- How do I apply to Thornton Grove Academy?
- Thornton Grove Academy is a state school. In England you apply through the council where you live, using its common application form, even if the school is in another council area. The national closing date for primary places is 15 January.
- How are Reception places decided at Thornton Grove Academy?
- When Thornton Grove Academy has more applications than places for 2027-28, they are offered in a published order of priority: 1. Looked After and Previously Looked After Children A “looked after child” is a child in public care at the date on which the application is made. A “previously looked after child” is a child who was in public care, but ceased to be so because they were adopted or became subject to a Child Arrangements Order or Special Guardianship Order immediately after being in public care, as well as those children who appear to STEP Academy Trust/Local Authority to have been in state care outside of England and ceased to be in state care as a result of being adopted. A child is regarded as having been in state care outside of England if they were in the care of, or were accommodated by, a public authority, a religious organisation, or any other provider of care whose sole or main purpose is to benefit society. To be included in this category, the application for admission must be supported by the relevant Local Authority’s Children’s Services Department. In the case of a previously looked after child, a copy of the Adoption or Special Guardianship Order must also accompany the application for admission where a child falls under this criterion because they are subject to such an Order. For a child who appears to STEP Academy Trust/Local Authority to have been in state care outside of England and ceased to be in state care as a result of being adopted, parents should provide evidence to support their application under this criterion. Failure to provide the above noted evidence will result in the child being placed into the next category that applies; 2. Children with a Medical Need to Attend Burfield Academy Only Children for whom Burfield Academy is the only suitable and appropriate school for the child to attend will be allocated places in this category by reference to the proximity of the child’s home address (as defined by this policy) to the Academy, with those living nearer receiving higher priority. In order to be considered under this category, the GP or hospital consultant must expressly confirm, not only the nature of the medical condition of the child or parent, but also the reason why, in their professional opinion, only Burfield Academy is suitable and appropriate for the child to attend, why no other school is suitable and appropriate and the medical reasons why this is the case. To be included within this category, there must be compelling reasons why Burfield Academy is the only school which is suitable and appropriate for the child to attend because of a medical need of the child or their parent which prevents them from attending any other school. For the avoidance of doubt, social reasons and inconvenience for parents will not be regarding as a compelling reason for the child to be included within this category. The STEP Executive Team/Local Authority will make the decision as to whether the child meets the criteria for inclusion within this category, and will do so fairly and consistently in all cases. Where the STEP Executive Team/Local Authority is not satisfied that the criteria are met, the child will be placed into the next category that applies; 3. Children with a Sibling at Burfield Academy at the Date of Admission Children with a sibling at Burfield Academy at the date of their admission will be allocated places in this category by reference to the proximity of the child’s home address (as defined by this policy) to the Academy, with those living nearer receiving higher priority. A “sibling” will include a full, half, step, adopted or foster brother or sister, as well as a child of their parent’s partner with whom they have been cohabiting for a period of at least one year at the application deadline, provided that in all cases the sibling and the applicant child live at the child’s home address (as defined by this policy) and are being brought up as siblings as part of a core family unit. For the avoidance of doubt, a child of a friend or extended family member (for example, a cousin) living at the same address will not be a sibling for the purpose of this policy. Parents must ensure that they have included full details of the sibling in the Common Application Form to be included in this category. Failure to do so will result in the child being placed into the next category that applies. The school offers 30 places at this entry point.
- What is the largest ethnic background at Thornton Grove Academy?
- According to the DfE School Census 2025-26, 76.7% of pupils at Thornton Grove Academy are recorded as White British. The full ethnic breakdown across all groups is available on the Pupils tab.