Chailey School Review 2026: A Rural Community Hub

Set in the village of South Chailey against the backdrop of the South Downs, Chailey School combines the feel of a small rural school with the academic ambition of a high-performing secondary. Serving a wide catchment of East Sussex villages, it prides itself on being a true community hub where every student is known.

Mr Paul Holt took up the headship in September 2025, bringing fresh leadership to a school already rated Good by Ofsted. The campus has seen significant recent investment, most notably the state-of-the-art Tyler Building, which houses modern science and mathematics facilities while retaining the school's welcoming, village-like atmosphere.

Chailey feels distinct from the large urban comprehensives in nearby Brighton or Lewes. With around 870 students, it retains a scale that allows for strong personal relationships. The atmosphere is calm and purposeful, grounded in the school's values of Kindness, Independence, Creativity, and Community.

The House system is central to the school's identity, with houses named after local Sussex landmarks: Ditchling, Firle, Glynde, and Wolstonbury. This anchors the school in its geography and provides a vertical pastoral structure where older students support younger ones.

Students wear a smart navy blazer with the school crest. Expectations for behaviour are high but managed through relationships rather than rigid authoritarianism. The school motto, "The best version of yourself", is not just a slogan but a reference point for daily conduct.

Academically, Chailey School consistently outperforms national averages. In 2024, the school achieved a Progress 8 score of +0.36, indicating that students make significantly more progress here than their peers with similar starting points across England.

The school ranks 796th in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking) and 2nd among secondary schools in the Lewes area. This performance sits in the top 25% of schools in England, placing it comfortably within the top 25% of schools in England.

Attainment is equally impressive. The average Attainment 8 score was 53.4, well above the England average of 45.9. In core subjects, 38.7% of students achieved a Grade 5 or above in the English Baccalaureate (EBacc) suite of qualifications, more than double the national average of around 17%.

The curriculum is broad and balanced, resisting the trend to narrow choices too early. Key Stage 3 runs for three years, giving students time to explore subjects in depth before selecting GCSE options in Year 9.

Teaching is rigorous but accessible. The school is particularly noted for its strength in the sciences and creative arts. It holds a Gold Artsmark award, reflecting a commitment to drama, music, and art that many state schools have been forced to reduce.

Support for students with Special Educational Needs (SEN) is fully integrated. Teaching assistants work effectively within classrooms, and the "Hub" provides a dedicated space for those needing additional support.

Chailey is an 11-16 school, meaning there is no sixth form on site. Students leave at the end of Year 11, typically progressing to local colleges.

Destinations are diverse. Many students move on to Lewes College or Plumpton College, particularly those interested in land-based studies given the rural location. For A-levels, a significant number travel to Brighton to attend BHASVIC or Varndean College, both of which have high entry requirements and strong links with the school.

A dedicated careers advisor works with students from Year 7, ensuring they are well-prepared for this transition. The school hosts a large careers fair attended by local colleges and apprenticeship providers.

Admissions are coordinated by East Sussex County Council. As a community school, Chailey serves a defined "community area" covering villages such as Newick, Barcombe, Plumpton, and Chailey itself.

Demand for places is exceptionally high. In 2025, there were 485 preferences expressed for just 180 places, a ratio of approximately 2.7 applicants per place.

The oversubscription criteria prioritise:

1. Looked-after children.
2. Siblings of children already at the school.
3. Children living within the designated community area.
4. Children living outside the area, prioritised by distance.

Families living outside the community area often struggle to secure a place unless they have a sibling connection. The last distance offered varies annually based on the distribution of applicants within the priority villages. Distances vary annually based on applicant distribution; proximity provides priority but does not guarantee a place.

Pastoral care is organised through the House system. Form tutors stay with their groups as they move up the school, providing a consistent point of contact for families.

The school takes a proactive approach to mental health. Staff are trained to spot early signs of anxiety, and the school works closely with external agencies to provide support. Bullying is rare and dealt with swiftly, using an online reporting tool that allows students to raise concerns confidentially.

The extracurricular offer is extensive. A standout feature is the Chailey Bees club, where students learn beekeeping and sell honey to the community—a perfect reflection of the school's rural ethos.

Sport is a major strength, with extensive fields and a sports hall supporting rugby, football, netball, and cricket. The Duke of Edinburgh Award is popular, with expeditions often taking place on the nearby South Downs.

Trips are frequent, ranging from local geography fieldwork to international visits for history and modern foreign languages.

This is a state-funded community school with no tuition fees.

Parents are responsible for the cost of uniforms, sports kits, and voluntary contributions for school trips. The school runs a pre-loved uniform shop to assist families with costs. Music lessons are available at an additional cost, though subsidies may be available for families eligible for Free School Meals.

The school day runs from 08:35 to 15:10. Due to the rural location, the vast majority of students travel by bus. An extensive network of school buses serves the surrounding villages. Parents should check eligibility for free transport with East Sussex County Council, as this depends on distance and route safety.

Transport Logistics: Reliance on school buses is a fact of life here. Participation in after-school clubs requires parental transport for the return journey, as buses depart at the end of the school day.

Oversubscription: Competition for places is intense. Families moving into the area should not assume a place will be available, even if they live relatively close, unless they are firmly within the community area.

No Sixth Form: Students must change institutions at 16. While this fosters maturity, it adds another transition point that 11-18 schools avoid.

Limited Local Alternatives: For families in the immediate villages, Chailey is often the only viable state option without significant travel to Lewes or Burgess Hill.

Chailey School is a high-performing rural comprehensive that offers a genuine community feel alongside academic rigour. It is best suited to families in the mid-Sussex villages who want a school where their child will be known, challenged, and encouraged to be kind. The main challenge is securing a place.