Summerdown School

Summerdown School is a special academy in The Southfield Trust serving pupils aged 3 to 16 with profound and multiple learning disabilities and autism, all of whom have an education, health and care plan. This was its first section 5 graded inspection, following an earlier section 8 inspection in 2022; under current arrangements the school received no overall effectiveness grade, but it was judged outstanding in every inspected area. Inspectors found a highly ambitious, meticulously sequenced curriculum and exceptionally strong specialist teaching. Pupils’ complex needs are met with precision, and staff knowledge of autism and profound and multiple learning difficulties is superb. Pupils achieve exceptionally well, including in early mathematics and phonics, and develop confidence in communication, social and life skills. Personal development is a notable strength, helping pupils understand themselves, respect difference and prepare for transitions and adult life. Behaviour and attitudes are exceptional: pupils are independent, confident communicators who show care for one another and trust staff. Leadership at all levels is highly adept, staff receive high-quality specialist training and feel valued, and governors, trust leaders and school leaders work closely together. Safeguarding arrangements are effective. The report identifies no areas for improvement.

Strengths

• Ambitious curriculum mapped into precise, coherent learning steps from early years to key stage 4
• Exceptionally strong specialist teaching for pupils with SEND, autism and profound and multiple learning difficulties
• Pupils achieve exceptionally well, including secure early mathematics and phonics knowledge
• Highly effective personalised provision using individual plans and regular assessment of pupils’ needs
• Outstanding personal development that builds life, social and thinking skills and prepares pupils for transitions
• Exceptional pupil conduct and positive relationships between pupils and staff
• Expertly trained staff and exemplary specialist care supported by onsite therapists and nurses
• Highly adept leadership with strong collaboration across school, trust and governors
• Effective safeguarding arrangements

In 2024–25 pupils at Summerdown School attended 87.6% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 32.2% 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, 0.0% of pupils at Summerdown 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 Summerdown School had 7.6 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 5.7% 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 Summerdown School had 174 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 Summerdown School received £27,290 and spent £22,755 for each of its 161 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £1,506,000 (£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

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

• The Lindfield School Eastbourne
• The South Downs School Eastbourne
• Hazel Court School Eastbourne

What is Summerdown School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Summerdown School is Outstanding, from an inspection in March 2025.

When was Summerdown School last inspected by Ofsted?

Summerdown School was last inspected in March 2025.

How many pupils does Summerdown School have?

Summerdown School has 174 pupils on roll.

What age range does Summerdown School cover?

Summerdown School for pupils aged 3 to 16.

What are Summerdown School's SATs (KS2) results?

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

Where is Summerdown School?

Summerdown School is at 3 Broadwater Way, Eastbourne, East Sussex, BN22 9PZ.