Schools are near the top of the list for any family thinking of moving to Eastbourne — and the town is well provided for, with a good spread of primaries, several secondaries, a strong independent sector and a large further education college. Here’s a practical guide to schools in Eastbourne: what’s available, how admissions work, and how to choose.
Secondary schools
Eastbourne has no grammar schools — all its state secondaries are non-selective, so there’s no eleven-plus to navigate. The main options include The Cavendish School, a large academy in the centre of town; Ratton School, serving the Willingdon Road side; Willingdon Community School to the north; The Eastbourne Academy; The Turing School; and St Catherine’s College, which is notable as the only Church of England secondary school in East Sussex. Gildredge House, opened as a free school in 2013 on Compton Place Road, is unusual in being an all-through school taking pupils from age four right up to nineteen. Families in the surrounding villages may also look to Seaford Head School or schools in Hailsham and Polegate.
Primary schools
The town has a large number of primaries spread across every neighbourhood, which is good news for parents — most families have something within walking distance. Eastbourne retains a number of separate infant and junior schools alongside all-through primaries, which catches some newcomers out: at places such as Motcombe, Pashley Down, Parkland and West Rise, children move from infant to junior school at age seven, meaning a second application. Others, such as Bourne Primary, Ocklynge, Shinewater, Stone Cross and the academies at Langney, Heron Park and Oakwood, run the full primary age range. There’s also faith provision, including St Thomas à Becket Catholic Primary. The great majority of the town’s primaries have been judged Good by Ofsted.
Please note: Ofsted has changed how it reports on schools, and inspection outcomes are updated regularly — so always check the current report on the Ofsted website rather than relying on a rating you’ve seen quoted elsewhere, including here.
Independent schools
Eastbourne has a notably strong private sector for a town of its size, centred on Eastbourne College, a well-known co-educational independent school in the Meads area with a long history, and its prep school, St Andrew’s Prep. The town’s independent schools are a significant part of local life and draw boarders as well as day pupils. Fees vary considerably between day and boarding places, and most schools offer some bursaries and scholarships, so it’s worth asking directly if cost is a factor.
Sixth form and college
At sixteen, options open up. Several secondaries have their own sixth forms, and East Sussex College has a large Eastbourne campus offering A-levels, vocational and technical courses, apprenticeships and adult education — making it the main route for anyone wanting a broader or more practical post-16 offer. Eastbourne College and Gildredge House also take students through to eighteen or nineteen.
Special educational needs
East Sussex County Council is responsible for SEND provision, and the town has dedicated special schools including Hazel Court School, The Lindfield School and The South Downs School, alongside SEND support within mainstream schools and alternative provision such as the Anderida Learning Centre. If your child has an Education, Health and Care Plan, the admissions process works differently from the standard route — you’ll deal with the county council’s SEN team rather than applying in the usual way, so get in touch with them early.
How admissions work
Applications go through East Sussex County Council, not the schools themselves, and you apply online through the council’s admissions pages. The national deadlines apply: 31 October for secondary places and 15 January for primary, with offers made on national offer day — 1 March for secondary and mid-April for primary. You can name several preferences, and it’s worth using all of them: listing only one popular school doesn’t improve your chances, it just leaves you with fewer options if you miss out.
Places are allocated on published oversubscription criteria, which typically prioritise looked-after children, those with medical or social need, siblings already at the school, and then distance from home. Eastbourne doesn’t use fixed catchment areas in the way some people expect — distance is measured from your home address, so a popular school’s effective catchment can shrink from year to year. If you’re moving here specifically for a school, check the previous few years’ furthest-distance-offered figures with the council before you commit to an address.
Local tip: Go to the open evenings. League tables and inspection reports tell you something, but nothing replaces walking round a school and talking to the staff and pupils — most families find their decision changes once they’ve visited.
Eastbourne schools: FAQs
Are there grammar schools in Eastbourne?
No — all of Eastbourne’s state secondary schools are non-selective, so there’s no eleven-plus entrance exam to sit.
How do I apply for a school place in Eastbourne?
Apply online through East Sussex County Council, not the school. The deadline is 31 October for secondary and 15 January for primary, with offers on national offer day.
How are school places allocated?
By each school’s published oversubscription criteria — usually looked-after children first, then medical or social need, siblings, and finally distance from home. Check recent distance figures with the council if you’re moving for a school.
Are there private schools in Eastbourne?
Yes — Eastbourne College is the best-known independent school, with St Andrew’s Prep as its prep school. Bursaries and scholarships are often available.
Is Eastbourne good for families?
Many families think so — it combines a good spread of schools with beaches, parks and the South Downs on the doorstep, and it’s more affordable than much of the south-east.
Planning a move? See whether Eastbourne is good for families, the best areas to live, and our guide to moving to Eastbourne.