Uckfield College

Uckfield College is performing at an outstanding level across all aspects of education, reflecting a significant improvement since its previous inspection in 2022, where it was rated as good. The school has created a purposeful learning environment supported by a strong pastoral care system, which contributes to the high levels of student satisfaction and achievement. With a broad and ambitious curriculum, all students, including those with special educational needs and disadvantaged backgrounds, receive effective support that enables them to thrive academically and personally.

Strengths

• Highly ambitious and broad curriculum
• Outstanding teaching and subject knowledge
• Exceptional pastoral care
• Effective support for SEND and disadvantaged pupils
• Strong sixth-form provision with high student achievement
• Highly motivated and proud staff
• Positive relationships and inclusive school culture

Admissions: local authority offers data from the Department for Education. A school is oversubscribed when at least 5% of the families who put it first were not offered a place, and undersubscribed when everyone who put it first got in but 10% or more of its places were unfilled in the Department's school capacity survey (the latest survey is used for entry years it does not cover). Places: Department for Education, School capacity, from local authorities' annual survey as at 1 May. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024–25); the survey was not run in 2020. Places include sixth form places. Forecasts are the local authority's own for the school's planning area, an area it uses to plan places that is not the school's catchment area. The forecast starts from a head count in 2025; the dashed line is the Department's estimate of places in that area, including those the authority has firm plans for. Planned places are cumulative, and only those with firm plans are counted.

In 2024–25 pupils at Uckfield College attended 89.4% of sessions (the national figure for secondary schools was 91.6%). 26.6% of pupils were persistently absent, missing at least one session in ten (nationally 23.4%).

Sessions missed

Pupils persistently absent

Source: Department for Education, Pupil absence in schools in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). Persistent absence means missing 10% or more of sessions; severe absence means 50% or more. No figures were published for 2019/20.

In 2024–25, 7.6% of pupils at Uckfield College were suspended at least once (nationally 7.3%). One pupil was permanently excluded.

Pupils suspended at least once

Source: Department for Education, Suspensions and permanent exclusions in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). A pupil can be suspended more than once, so suspensions per 100 pupils can be higher than the share of pupils suspended. Very small numbers are hidden by the DfE. Exclusion figures dropped in 2020 and 2021 because of school closures.

In 2025–26 Uckfield College had 16.0 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for secondary schools was 16.7). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 13.7% were no longer at the school a year later (nationally 14.1%).

Pupils per teacher

Teachers who left the school within a year

Source: Department for Education, School workforce in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). Pupils per teacher counts full-time-equivalent pupils and teachers. Turnover is the share of a year's teachers (full-time equivalent) who were not at the school the following year, whether they moved to another school or left state-funded teaching. Turnover and sickness figures run one year behind the ratios. Sick leave is the share of teachers who took at least one day in the year, so it swings widely at small schools, where a few teachers can make it 0% or 100%. The national figures are for all state schools of the same type.

In 2025–26, 15.7% of pupils at Uckfield College were on SEN support (nationally 14.1%) and 1.4% had an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 3.5%).

Pupils by main type of need

Source: Department for Education, Special educational needs in England (the 2025–26 school census). SEN support is extra help in school without an EHC plan. National figures are for all state-funded secondary schools. Counts are as published, with small numbers not hidden.

In 2025–26 Uckfield College received £7,748 and spent £7,775 for each of its 1,672 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £468,000 (£280 per pupil).

Income per pupil

Spending per pupil

Source: Department for Education, Financial Benchmarking and Insights Tool. Each year is the one the financial year ends in (2024 is 2023–24).

• Primary Schools
• Secondary Schools

All schools in Uckfield · East Sussex local authority: places and applications

What is Uckfield College's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Uckfield College is Outstanding, from an inspection in June 2024.

When was Uckfield College last inspected by Ofsted?

Uckfield College was last inspected in June 2024.

How many pupils does Uckfield College have?

Uckfield College has 1,671 pupils on roll.

What age range does Uckfield College cover?

Uckfield College for pupils aged 11 to 18.

What are Uckfield College's GCSE results?

In 2026 its average Attainment 8 score was 47.7, and 44% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in both English and maths GCSE.

Where is Uckfield College?

Uckfield College is at Downsview Crescent, Uckfield, East Sussex, TN22 3DJ.