Sackville School, East Grinstead

History matters here. Tracing its origins to 1859, when it opened as a National School through public subscription on land provided by Countess Amherst of the Sackville family, this comprehensive has grown from modest Church of England beginnings into one of West Sussex's largest secondary schools. With approximately 1,700 students aged 11 to 18, Sackville occupies a spacious campus on Lewes Road, having relocated from its original De la Warr Road site in 1964. The school holds a Good rating from Ofsted following its May 2024 inspection, and its combination of solid results, strong pastoral care, and extensive enrichment opportunities makes it a popular choice for families across East Grinstead and the surrounding area.

The school operates under nine core values: Curiosity, Ambition, Community, Teamwork, Positivity, Integrity, Resilience, Excellence, and Equity. These are not mere words on a website. The vision statement commits to creating a safe and inclusive community that enables every student to reach their full potential. Under Headteacher Jo Meloni, who arrived in January 2022 with a BA (Hons) and NPQH qualification, the school has strengthened its pastoral frameworks, including a community rollout in 2023 to prioritise mental health, resilience, and holistic development.

The house system is distinctive. Students belong to one of five communities named after inspirational figures: Angelou (Maya Angelou, poet and civil rights activist), Attenborough (Sir David Attenborough, natural historian), Holmes (Dame Kelly Holmes, Olympic champion), Turing (Alan Turing, mathematician and code-breaker), and Yousafzai (Malala Yousafzai, Nobel laureate and education activist). Each community contains two form groups from every year group, creating vertical connections that allow older students to mentor younger ones and build school identity across age groups.

The 2024 Ofsted inspection confirmed the school's Good rating. Inspectors observed that students behave well, are polite and welcoming, and are proud of their school. The pastoral support received particular praise, with the report describing Sackville as a place where students feel safe and well-cared for. Communities sit at the heart of the wellbeing initiatives that shape daily school life.

GCSE Performance

Academic outcomes at GCSE sit in line with the middle 35% of schools in England. The average Attainment 8 score of 44.3 reflects solid achievement across the core and optional subjects. The Progress 8 score of -0.04 indicates pupils make progress broadly in line with expectations based on their Key Stage 2 starting points.

Sackville ranks 2,333rd in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), and 2nd among schools in the East Grinstead area. These figures place the school in the typical performance band, neither significantly above nor below average for England. The school consistently achieves results that enable the majority of students to access post-16 pathways, whether that be A-levels, vocational courses, or apprenticeships.

A-Level Performance

At A-level, 46.5% of grades achieved A*-B, with 18.6% at A*/A. The 3.3% achieving A* represents students reaching the very highest level. These results place the sixth form 1,419th in England (FindMySchool ranking), within the typical performance band representing the middle 35% of schools. Locally, Sackville ranks 2nd for A-level outcomes in the East Grinstead area.

Stand-out individual performances include students achieving multiple A* grades. In 2023, two students secured offers to study at Oxford University, demonstrating that high achievement is possible within this comprehensive setting. The school actively supports students with Oxbridge ambitions through a bespoke programme.

The curriculum received high praise in the 2024 inspection. The ambitious design builds complex knowledge from Year 7 through to Year 13, with subject teams commended during the deep dive process for their high-quality provision. Teaching follows clear structures with high expectations embedded across departments.

The school offers a broad range of subjects at Key Stage 4, enabling students to pursue both EBacc pathways and creative or practical options. The average EBacc point score of 3.91 reflects engagement with the academic core, while the flexibility to combine subjects allows students to build programmes suited to their interests and aspirations.

Teachers demonstrate strong subject knowledge, and the inspection confirmed that pupils develop deep insights into their subjects. The sequenced curriculum ensures that prior learning is regularly revisited and built upon, creating secure foundations for examination success and further study.

University and Higher Education

From the 2023/24 cohort of 189 students, 34% progressed to university. Students regularly secure places at Russell Group institutions. The 2023 leavers went on to universities including Bristol, Warwick, Cardiff, Nottingham, UCL, Southampton, and Durham. Ten students applied to Oxbridge in the most recent measurement period, with one securing a Cambridge place, reflecting the school's capacity to support the most ambitious applicants.

Apprenticeships and Employment

The largest proportion of leavers, 46%, entered employment directly. Apprenticeships accounted for 4% of destinations, with students securing places at high-profile organisations including the BBC, Meridian, Cripps Law, and the Police. This diversity of outcomes reflects the school's commitment to preparing students for multiple pathways, not simply funnelling everyone towards university.

The school employs a dedicated Futures Leader and UCAS coordinator who work with students from Year 12 onwards. Personal statement support, interview preparation, and careers guidance are embedded into the sixth form experience. The range of destinations suggests students receive balanced advice about the options available to them.

Year 7 Entry

Sackville is one of two state-funded secondary schools in East Grinstead, alongside Imberhorne School. Admissions are coordinated through West Sussex County Council. The school is oversubscribed, with 517 applications for 263 places at the main Year 7 entry point, representing 1.97 applications per place available.

The school operates a non-selective admissions policy. After children with Education, Health and Care Plans naming Sackville, and looked-after children, places are allocated according to West Sussex County Council's admissions criteria. Parents should consult the local authority's admissions guide for the specific priority order and any catchment or sibling considerations that apply.

Applications are made through the West Sussex online admissions portal, with the national deadline of 31 October for Year 7 entry the following September. Families considering Sackville should also explore the open events held throughout the year to see the school in operation.

Year 9 and Sixth Form Entry

Sackville also admits students at Year 9 and Year 12. Those joining the sixth form need a minimum of five GCSEs at grade 4 or higher, including English and mathematics. To study specific A-levels, students typically require at least a grade 5 in the relevant subject. Vocational and A-level routes can be combined, providing flexibility for those with varied strengths and interests.

Scholarships are available for entry into Years 7, 8, 9, and 12. Open days typically run in the autumn term; parents should check the school website for specific dates and booking arrangements, as these vary annually.

The community system forms the backbone of pastoral support. Each of the five communities has dedicated staff who track student progress and wellbeing across their time at Sackville. The vertical structure means students are known as individuals throughout their school career, not just by form tutors but by a wider network of community staff.

The 2024 inspection highlighted the strength of pastoral care, with students describing the school as a place where they feel safe and supported. Mental health and resilience feature prominently in the personal development programme. The community points system recognises positive contributions, creating incentives for effort and conduct beyond academic achievement.

Behaviour is excellent. Students move calmly between lessons, and the atmosphere is purposeful without being pressured. The school invests in staff training around safeguarding and student welfare, ensuring all adults can identify and respond to concerns.

Sport

Facilities include a sports hall, health and fitness gym, grass pitches, and a dedicated studio. Sports teams compete regularly, with inter-school fixtures forming part of the school calendar. The emphasis is on participation as well as competition, ensuring opportunities for students at all ability levels.

Drama

Theatre has a strong presence. Recent productions have included "Grimm Reality" and "The Good Person of Szechwan." Students are encouraged to participate not only as performers but in technical, design, and production roles. The annual Year 9 Fashion Show and Evening of Dance for Years 7 and 8 provide additional performance opportunities for younger students.

Music

Music continues to develop, with the annual WHISPS concert, events at the Hawth theatre, and a Key Stage 3 summer concert forming highlights of the calendar. Students access instrumental tuition and ensemble opportunities, though specific named groups are not published on the school's main materials.

Enrichment Programme

Participation in at least one enrichment activity per term is required of every student. Clubs, trips, and competitions encourage students to try new things and develop interests outside the standard curriculum. The programme is designed to build cultural capital and soft skills alongside academic learning.

In the sixth form, enrichment expands further. Options include the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, complimentary driving lessons, gym membership, personal finance seminars, survival cooking, and individual support for UCAS applications. The breadth of offering reflects the school's aim to prepare students for adult life, not just examinations.

Notable Alumni

Jane Leeves, the English actress best known for her role as Daphne Moon in the American sitcom Frasier, attended Sackville during her formative years. More recently, Laura van der Heijden, who won BBC Young Musician of the Year in 2012 at age 15, is also a former student. These success stories span the creative arts, demonstrating the school's capacity to support exceptional talent.

The school day runs to a standard timetable. Term dates for 2025/26 and 2026/27 are published on the school website. The campus is located on Lewes Road, East Grinstead, with access by local bus routes and on-site parking for school events. The nearest railway station is East Grinstead, approximately one mile from the school gates.

Parents interested in visiting should contact the school to book a place at an open event. Open days typically run in the autumn and spring terms; specific dates are published on the school website and should be checked annually.

Oversubscription. With nearly two applicants for every Year 7 place, not all families who want a place will secure one. Those living further from the school should have realistic expectations and a backup option in mind.

Results in context. GCSE and A-level outcomes sit in the typical range for England. Families seeking a school that consistently achieves results in the top quartile should compare Sackville's data with alternatives before committing. Strong students can and do achieve highly here, but the overall profile reflects a comprehensive intake.

Size and scale. With 1,700 students, Sackville is a large school. Some young people thrive in this environment with its range of opportunities and diverse peer group. Others may prefer a smaller setting where staff-to-student ratios are lower and communities feel more intimate.

Sixth form destinations. The largest proportion of leavers enter employment rather than university. For families specifically seeking a school with a strong university progression culture, this profile may prompt further questions about where their child might fit.

Sackville delivers on its promise of a safe, inclusive environment where students can pursue varied pathways. The community system creates genuine pastoral support, the enrichment programme is extensive, and the inspection evidence confirms that teaching and curriculum are strong. Results sit in the typical range, which means the school is neither a selective academic hotspot nor a struggling institution. For families in East Grinstead seeking a comprehensive that balances academic opportunity with personal development, and that takes seriously its responsibility to prepare students for life beyond school rather than simply for university, Sackville is a credible choice. Best suited to families who want a large, well-run comprehensive with extensive extracurricular opportunities and genuine care for student wellbeing. Entry remains competitive; the challenge is securing a place rather than thriving once admitted.