King’s Academy Ringmer Review 2026: Eco-Conscious Community School with Strong Progress

Set against the rural backdrop of the Sussex Weald, King’s Academy Ringmer is an 11 to 16 secondary school that punches well above its weight in terms of environmental stewardship and academic progress. Serving the village of Ringmer and the nearby town of Lewes, the school has a capacity for 750 students, maintaining a smaller, more intimate feel than many sprawling urban secondaries. Under the leadership of Principal Chris Harvey, who was appointed in September 2023, the academy has solidified its reputation for combining a green ethos with a rigorous focus on student outcomes. In 2024, its academic performance placed it in the solid middle 35% of schools in England (28th percentile), reflecting a steady upward trajectory since joining the King’s Group Academies trust.

The first thing to note about King’s Academy Ringmer is its physical environment, which directly reflects its status as a pioneer in sustainability. Solar panels, wind turbines, and a dedicated eco-hub are integrated into the campus, making environmental science a lived experience rather than just a textbook subject. This green identity has earned the school international recognition, including multiple Eco-Schools Green Flag awards, and it fosters a culture of responsibility among the student body.

The atmosphere is purposeful and calm. As part of the King’s Group Academies since 2016, the school has benefited from structured central support while retaining its village identity. Relationships between staff and students are a visible strength; there is a sense that teachers truly know their cohorts. The most recent graded Ofsted report confirmed this, awarding a Good rating overall with Outstanding judgements for leadership and management. Inspectors highlighted that students feel safe, valued, and well-supported within a respectful community.

The school’s academic performance tells a story of consistent improvement and strong value-added teaching. Ranked 1,310th in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), King’s Academy Ringmer sits 3rd among secondaries in the Lewes area. This puts the school in the top tier locally, outperforming several larger neighbours.

A key indicator of the school’s success is its Progress 8 score of +0.3, which is significantly above the England average. This means students here achieve nearly a third of a grade higher across their subjects than similar students elsewhere in England. The Attainment 8 score of 46.4 also sits comfortably above the England average. In 2024, 31.5% of students achieved grade 5 or above in the English Baccalaureate (EBacc), exceeding the England average of 24.5%.

Teaching at the academy is characterised by high expectations and a structured approach to the curriculum. The school offers a broad range of GCSEs and vocational qualifications, with a notable emphasis on STEM subjects and the arts. The curriculum is designed to be inclusive, ensuring that students of all abilities can access challenging material.

Teachers are noted for their strong subject expertise and their ability to use assessment effectively to identify and close gaps in learning. The Ringmer Way emphasizes active participation, and in many classrooms, you will find students engaged in collaborative problem-solving. Small class sizes, particularly in practical subjects like Design Technology and Triple Science, allow for high levels of individual attention and feedback.

STEM: Innovation and Environment

The STEM provision here is inextricably linked to the school’s environmental mission. Students do not just study renewable energy in a lab; they monitor the output of the school’s own wind turbine and solar arrays. The Eco-Hub serves as a specialist centre for environmental education, hosting projects that range from sustainable gardening to engineering challenges.

The school has a strong track record in regional STEM competitions, and the science department is particularly well-regarded for its Triple Science pathway. By linking technical skills with real-world ecological problems, the school prepares students for future careers in the rapidly growing green technology sector.

Extracurricular life is diverse, with the Eco-Committee being perhaps the most prestigious group to join. Students on the committee have presented at national conferences and lead the school’s recycling and energy-saving initiatives. Beyond environmental work, the school offers a vibrant performing arts scene, including the Ringmer Voices choir and regular theatrical productions.

Sporting facilities are good, including a large sports hall and extensive playing fields. The school fields competitive teams in football, netball, and athletics. The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme is also a major pillar of the school’s outdoor education, with high participation rates at both Bronze and Silver levels, taking full advantage of the proximity to the South Downs National Park.

As a state academy, admissions are coordinated by East Sussex County Council. The school is increasingly popular, and in the most recent intake, it was oversubscribed with 3.06 applications for every available place. This reflects growing confidence in the school’s leadership and results.

After siblings and those with EHCPs, places are generally allocated based on distance. While the school primarily serves Ringmer and the surrounding villages, it also draws a significant number of students from Lewes and Uckfield. Parents should use the FindMySchool Map Search to check their precise distance from the school gates compared to historical admission patterns, as the catchment can shift annually.

Where Students Go Next

As an 11 to 16 school, the transition at the end of Year 11 is a critical focus. The school maintains very strong links with local post-16 providers, particularly East Sussex College (Lewes and Eastbourne campuses) and Plumpton College for those pursuing land-based or environmental studies.

A significant proportion of students also progress to BHASVIC and Varndean College in Brighton for A-levels. The school’s careers programme is robust, providing one-to-one guidance from Year 9 onwards to ensure students are well-prepared for the transition to sixth form, apprenticeships, or vocational training.

The school’s pastoral system is based on a vertical house structure, which helps to create a family feel where older students look out for younger ones. Each student belongs to a tutor group that meets daily, providing a consistent point of contact for both students and parents.

Pastoral support is a clear strength; official assessments confirm that safeguarding is effective and that the school has a culture of vigilance. There is a dedicated wellbeing team on site, and the school uses a range of interventions, including ELSA (Emotional Literacy Support Assistants), to support students’ mental health and social development.

The school day runs from 8:40am to 3:15pm. Given its rural location, many students arrive via dedicated school buses from outlying villages and Lewes. There is a breakfast club available for early arrivals, and many extracurricular activities run until 4:30pm. The school’s proximity to the B2192 makes it easily accessible by car, though parking on site is limited during drop-off and pick-up times.

Fees & Financial Aid

This is a state-funded academy; there are no tuition fees for students. Families are responsible for standard costs such as school uniform, PE kits, and equipment. For certain activities, the school may request voluntary contributions, for example, elective music lessons or specific residential trips.

Financial aid is primarily managed through the Pupil Premium grant. Families eligible for Free School Meals may receive assistance with the costs of school trips, uniform vouchers, and other essential educational resources. Families should contact the school office to discuss eligibility for the 16-19 Bursary Fund if they are planning their post-16 transition.

• 11 to 16 structure. Unlike some larger schools, Ringmer does not have an on-site sixth form. While this allows the school to focus entirely on the GCSE years, it does mean all students must navigate a transition to a new college at age 16.
• Rural location. While the setting is beautiful, students living outside the immediate village are often dependent on bus schedules, which can limit their spontaneous participation in some after-school clubs.
• Strong local competition. Lewes has several highly-regarded secondaries. King’s Academy Ringmer’s smaller size and green niche are its main differentiators, but parents should compare its progress data against larger town schools to see which environment best suits their child.

King’s Academy Ringmer is an impressive example of a school that has successfully carved out a unique identity through its environmental focus while simultaneously driving up academic standards. Its strong Progress 8 score proves that its green ethos does not come at the expense of GCSE results. It is best suited to families seeking a smaller, community-focused school where students are encouraged to be responsible global citizens. The main challenge for prospective parents is the increasing competition for places as the school’s reputation continues to grow.