Cornfield School, Littlehampton

Cornfield School in Littlehampton demonstrates significant strengths in creating a safe and supportive learning environment for its pupils, especially considering it serves a high percentage of students with social, emotional, and mental health needs. Leaders are effective in promoting good attendance and behavior, leading to a calm atmosphere in classrooms and during breaks. However, the school faces challenges in delivering an effective curriculum, particularly in fundamental skills such as reading, writing, and mathematics, which limits some pupils' academic progress. Despite these areas needing attention, the school prepares older pupils well for their future endeavors with successful outcomes in qualifications and employment experiences.

Strengths

• Strong focus on safeguarding, ensuring a safe environment
• Effective leaders who prioritize attendance and pupil behavior
• Well-designed personal, social, and health education curriculum
• Extensive extracurricular activities aligned with pupil interests
• Well-developed pupil premium strategy to support disadvantaged pupils

Areas for Improvement

• Curriculum lacks effectiveness in addressing foundational skills in reading, writing, and mathematics
• Variability in pupil progress through the curriculum
• Careers advice not as impactful as needed
• Governance lacks detailed oversight of the school's pupil premium strategy

In 2024–25 pupils at Cornfield School, Littlehampton attended 75.1% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 61.4% of pupils were persistently absent, missing at least one session in ten (nationally 35.3%).

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, 35.4% of pupils at Cornfield School, Littlehampton were suspended at least once (nationally 5.1%). 2 pupils were 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 Cornfield School, Littlehampton had 4.8 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 20.8% were no longer at the school a year later (nationally 14.5%).

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 Cornfield School, Littlehampton had 83 pupils, 100.0% of them with an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 99.5%).

It says it provides for: social, emotional and mental health.

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 special school schools. Counts are as published, with small numbers not hidden.

In 2025–26 Cornfield School, Littlehampton received £30,319 and spent £30,373 for each of its 83 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £137,000 (£1,650 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 Littlehampton · West Sussex local authority: places and applications

What is Cornfield School, Littlehampton's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Cornfield School, Littlehampton is Needs attention, from an inspection in March 2026.

When was Cornfield School, Littlehampton last inspected by Ofsted?

Cornfield School, Littlehampton was last inspected in March 2026.

How many pupils does Cornfield School, Littlehampton have?

Cornfield School, Littlehampton has 83 pupils on roll.

What age range does Cornfield School, Littlehampton cover?

Cornfield School, Littlehampton for pupils aged 8 to 16.

What are Cornfield School, Littlehampton's GCSE results?

In 2023 its average Attainment 8 score was 10.1, and 0% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in both English and maths GCSE.

What are Cornfield School, Littlehampton's SATs (KS2) results?

In 2025, 0% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths.

Where is Cornfield School, Littlehampton?

Cornfield School, Littlehampton is at Cornfield Close, Littlehampton, West Sussex, BN17 6HY.