Hazel Court School

Hazel Court School has demonstrated exceptional performance across all areas according to the latest Ofsted inspection. The school provides a profound impact on its pupils, ensuring they are well-prepared for their future and deeply engaged in their learning. With an outstanding curriculum tailored to meet the individual needs of pupils with special educational needs and disabilities, the school fosters a supportive environment where pupils thrive both personally and academically. Feedback from parents showcases their confidence in the school's ability to guide their children towards meaningful futures.

Strengths

• Outstanding leadership and management
• Exceptional careers guidance and preparation for life beyond school
• Strong focus on reading and language skills
• High-quality teaching and learning tailored to individual needs
• Engaged and well-behaved pupils
• Effective safeguarding arrangements
• High levels of pupil pride and representation
• Positive partnerships with parents and the community

In 2024–25 pupils at Hazel Court School attended 89.1% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 29.1% 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, 2.3% of pupils at Hazel Court School were suspended at least once (nationally 5.1%). No 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 Hazel Court School had 7.8 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 18.5% 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 Hazel Court School had 135 pupils, 100.0% of them with an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 99.5%).

It says it provides for: specific learning difficulty; moderate learning difficulty; severe learning difficulty; profound and multiple learning difficulty; social, emotional and mental health; speech, language and communication needs; hearing impairment; vision impairment; multi-sensory impairment; physical disability; autistic spectrum disorder; other difficulty or disability.

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 2024–25 Hazel Court School received £26,303 and spent £27,503 for each of its 129 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £1,207,000 (£9,355 per pupil).

Across all 4 schools of The Southfield Trust, income was £25,871 and spending £22,752 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). Academy figures include a share of the trust's central services, shared out by pupil numbers, and are rounded to the nearest £1,000. Premises costs were defined differently from 2024, so compare them across that gap with care.

• Primary Schools
• Secondary Schools

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

Hazel Court School is part of The Southfield Trust, which runs 4 schools. The nearest others:

• The Lindfield School Eastbourne
• Summerdown School Eastbourne
• The South Downs School Eastbourne

What is Hazel Court School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Hazel Court School is Outstanding, from an inspection in July 2024.

When was Hazel Court School last inspected by Ofsted?

Hazel Court School was last inspected in July 2024.

How many pupils does Hazel Court School have?

Hazel Court School has 135 pupils on roll.

What age range does Hazel Court School cover?

Hazel Court School for pupils aged 11 to 19.

Where is Hazel Court School?

Hazel Court School is at Larkspur Drive, Eastbourne, East Sussex, BN23 8EJ.