Sitting at the foot of the South Downs near the Amex Stadium, Brighton Aldridge Community Academy (BACA) offers a distinct alternative to the city's traditional secondaries. While it serves the local Moulsecoomb and Bevendean communities as a mainstream comprehensive, it doubles as a regional hub for elite sports development. The campus, opened in 2011, feels less like a school and more like a modern training facility, particularly with the addition of the Sir Rod Aldridge Cricket Centre.
The atmosphere at BACA is defined by its dual identity. For students in Years 7 to 11, this is a community school where uniform standards are high and the day is structured. Mr Jack Davies, Principal since 2022, has brought stability and higher expectations, a shift validated by the Ofsted Good rating secured in April 2025.
The architecture reflects the school's focus on enterprise and sport. The £28 million main building features open learning zones and glass-fronted classrooms, while the cricket centre—home to the Sussex Women’s Cricket team—provides a professional backdrop that raises aspirations. The "Aldridge Attributes" (passion, determination, risk-taking, problem-solving, teamwork, and creativity) are woven into the curriculum, aiming to develop entrepreneurial mindsets rather than just exam technique.
In 2024, BACA’s academic results reflect a school in the midst of an upward trajectory rather than a finished product. The school ranks 3,232nd in England for GCSE outcomes, placing it in the lower 40% of schools nationally (lower 40% of schools in England).
The Attainment 8 score of 37.3 sits below the England average of 45.9, and the Progress 8 score of -0.4 indicates that students, on average, achieve nearly half a grade lower per subject than peers with similar starting points. However, these headline figures mask the specific nature of the intake and the vocational successes. The school has a high proportion of students with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), and the curriculum is heavily weighted towards vocational qualifications which often suit the student body better than traditional academic metrics.
England ranks and key metrics (where available)
A-Level A*-B
22.22%
% of students achieving grades A*-B
GCSE 9–7
—
% of students achieving grades 9-7
The curriculum is broad but distinctively slanted towards practical application. While the core EBacc subjects are taught rigorously, the school shines in creative media, construction, and sport. The 2025 Ofsted report highlighted that the curriculum is now ambitious and well-planned, correcting previous weaknesses.
Teachers use the "BACA Lesson" structure to ensure consistency, a necessary scaffold that has improved behaviour and engagement. Support for students with Special Educational Needs (SEND) is a priority; the Swan Centre provides specialist support for students with speech, language, and communication needs.
Quality of Education
Requires Improvement
Behaviour & Attitudes
Requires Improvement
Personal Development
Good
Leadership & Management
Good
You cannot discuss BACA without addressing its elite sports pathways. This is a Tier 1 specialist provision in all but name.
Pastoral care is organised through a year-group system. The "Team around the Child" approach ensures that safeguarding and wellbeing are managed proactively. The school serves a diverse catchment with significant levels of disadvantage, and the pastoral team is skilled at removing barriers to learning, whether that involves uniform subsidies or emotional support.
BACA is a non-selective state academy. Admissions are coordinated by Brighton & Hove City Council. While the school has previously been undersubscribed, its growing reputation for sport and the recent Ofsted upgrade are increasing demand.
Applications
145
Total received
Places Offered
103
Subscription Rate
1.4x
Apps per place
The sixth form, known as BACA College, operates differently from a typical school sixth form. It is small and highly specialised. In 2024, the college ranked 2,355th in England for A-level outcomes. However, the academic data (22% A*-B) tells only part of the story.
The college is a destination for students pursuing BTEC Sport, Digital Media, and Construction alongside elite sports training. The leavers' data confirms this vocational drift: in 2024, 33% of leavers moved directly into employment and 5% into apprenticeships, while 10% progressed to university. For students wanting a pathway into the sports industry or trades, BACA College offers industry-standard preparation; for those seeking Oxbridge classics, other local colleges may be more suitable.
Extracurricular life is dominated by the sports academies, but not limited to them. The "BACA 100" pledge promises every student 100 cultural and enrichment experiences during their time at the school, ranging from theatre trips to employer workshops. The Combined Cadet Force (CCF) is active and popular, providing leadership training and outdoor adventure.
The school is located on Lewes Road, easily accessible by bus (services 23, 25, 28, 29) and train (Falmer Station is a short walk away). The school day starts at 8:30am and finishes at 3:00pm, though sports academies train late into the evening.
Academic outcomes. With a Progress 8 score of -0.4, the school is statistically performing below national averages for academic progress. Families focused purely on high-grade GCSE performance in traditional subjects should review the data carefully.
Vocational focus. The school culture is heavily influenced by its vocational and sporting specialisms. This creates a dynamic, practical environment that suits many, but may feel different to a traditional grammar-style education.
Location. Situated on the edge of the city, the campus is expansive but can feel isolated from the Hove/central Brighton school cluster.
Brighton Aldridge Community Academy is a school transformed. No longer defined by past struggles, it has carved out a unique niche as a centre for sporting and vocational excellence. It is not an exam factory, nor does it try to be. Best suited to students who thrive in a practical, modern environment, or those with sporting talent who want world-class facilities on their doorstep.
Yes. BACA was rated Good by Ofsted in April 2025. Inspectors praised the ambitious curriculum, improved behaviour, and the high quality of the specialist sports provision.
Yes. Like all Brighton & Hove schools, BACA uses a catchment zone system. However, as it has historically not been fully subscribed, it often accepts students from outside the immediate Moulsecoomb area. Priority is also given to students selected for the Junior Cricket Pathway.
This is a specialist admissions route for Year 7 entry. Students with demonstrated aptitude for cricket can secure a place to access the Sir Rod Aldridge Cricket Centre and specialist coaching from age 11, integrated into their school week.
In 2024, results were below the England average, with an Attainment 8 score of 37.3 (England average 45.9). The school ranks in the lower 40% of schools in England. However, performance in vocational subjects and sports qualifications is often significantly stronger than the headline academic data suggests.
No. While the sports academies are a major feature, BACA is a comprehensive school for all local children. The "Aldridge Attributes" focus on enterprise and employability skills relevant to all careers, not just sport.
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