Most sought-after schools in East Sussex

Ordered by how many families put the school first, for each place it gave out.

This list is sorted by one number: first preferences per place. For each school it is the number of families who named it first, divided by the number of offers it made, in the newest year we hold. A higher number means more families wanted a place than there were places.

This is not a list of the best schools. It does not measure how good a school is, how happy the children are, or how well they do. It also does not tell you whether a child would get a place: that depends on where you live, the year, and the council's rules. It only shows how many people applied.

#	School	First preferences per place	Newest intake	Latest Ofsted
1	All Saints Church of England Primary School, Bexhill Bexhill-on-Sea, primary	1.59	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
2	Ark Little Ridge Primary Academy St Leonards-on-Sea, primary	1.58	2026	Outstanding (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
3	The Cavendish School Eastbourne, all through	1.54	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
4	Parkside Community Primary School Heathfield, primary	1.43	2026	Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
5	St Catherine's College Eastbourne, secondary	1.40	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
6	St Peter and St Paul CofE Primary School Bexhill-on-Sea, primary	1.40	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
7	Sedlescombe Church of England Primary School BATTLE, primary	1.37	2026	School remains Good (Improving) - S5 Next (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
8	Claverham Community College Battle, secondary	1.36	2026	School remains Good (Improving) - S5 Next (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
9	Harbour Primary and Nursery School Newhaven, primary	1.35	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
10	St Richard's Catholic College Bexhill-on-Sea, secondary	1.34	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
11	Harlands Community Primary & Nursery School Uckfield, primary	1.33	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
12	Guestling Bradshaw Church of England Primary School Hastings, primary	1.27	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
13	St Thomas' Church of England Aided Primary School Winchelsea, primary	1.27	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
14	Wallands Community Primary and Nursery School Lewes, primary	1.27	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
15	Chailey School Lewes, secondary	1.26	2026	Strong standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
16	Ashdown Primary School Crowborough, primary	1.25	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
17	Blackboys Church of England Primary School Uckfield, primary	1.25	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
18	Etchingham Church of England Primary School Etchingham, primary	1.20	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
19	High Hurstwood Church of England Primary School Uckfield, primary	1.20	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
20	Mayfield Church of England Primary School Mayfield, primary	1.20	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
21	Punnetts Town Community Primary and Nursery School Heathfield, primary	1.20	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
22	Willingdon Community School Eastbourne, secondary	1.20	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
23	Wivelsfield Primary School and Nursery Wivelsfield Green, primary	1.20	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
24	Grovelands Community Primary School Hailsham, primary	1.17	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
25	Meridian Community Primary School and Nursery Peacehaven, primary	1.17	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
26	Newick Church of England Primary School Lewes, primary	1.17	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
27	Catsfield Church of England Primary School Battle, primary	1.13	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
28	Hamsey Community Primary School Lewes, primary	1.13	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
29	St John's Church of England Primary School Crowborough, primary	1.13	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
30	Stonegate Church of England Primary School Wadhurst, primary	1.13	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
31	Little Common School Bexhill-on-Sea, primary	1.12	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
32	Stone Cross School Pevensey, primary	1.12	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
33	Uckfield College Uckfield, secondary	1.12	2026	Outstanding (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
34	Forest Row Church of England Primary School and Nursery Forest Row, primary	1.10	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
35	Hellingly Community Primary School Hailsham, primary	1.10	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
36	St Mary Magdalene Catholic Primary School Bexhill-on-Sea, primary	1.10	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
37	Heathfield Community College Heathfield, secondary	1.09	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
38	Battle and Langton Church of England Primary School Battle, primary	1.07	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
39	Denton Community Primary School and Nursery Newhaven, primary	1.07	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
40	Seaford Head School Seaford, secondary	1.06	2026	School remains Outstanding (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
41	Ditchling St Margaret's Church of England Primary School Ditchling, primary	1.03	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
42	Gildredge House Eastbourne, all through	1.03	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
43	Motcombe Infants' School Eastbourne, primary	1.03	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
44	Rotherfield Primary School Crowborough, primary	1.03	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
45	Pevensey and Westham CofE Primary School Pevensey, primary	1.02	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
46	Alfriston School Polegate, primary	1.00	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
47	Annecy Catholic Primary School Seaford, primary	1.00	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
48	Barcombe Church of England Primary School Lewes, primary	1.00	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
49	Beckley Church of England Primary School Rye, primary	1.00	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
50	Bodiam Church of England Primary School Robertsbridge, primary	1.00	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
51	Chiddingly Primary School Lewes, primary	1.00	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
52	Chyngton School Seaford, primary	1.00	2026	Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
53	Crowhurst CofE Primary School Battle, primary	1.00	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
54	Dallington Church of England Primary School Heathfield, primary	1.00	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
55	Hankham Primary School Pevensey, primary	1.00	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
56	Mulberry Baird Primary Hastings, primary	1.00	2026	Requires improvement (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
57	Netherfield CofE Primary School Battle, primary	1.00	2026	Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
58	Northiam Church of England Primary School and Nursery Rye, primary	1.00	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
59	Oakwood Primary Academy Eastbourne, primary	1.00	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
60	Ore Village Primary Academy Hastings, primary	1.00	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
61	Peacehaven Community School Peacehaven, secondary	1.00	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
62	Priory School Lewes, secondary	1.00	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
63	Ringmer Primary and Nursery School Lewes, primary	1.00	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
64	Seaford Primary School Seaford, primary	1.00	2026	Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
65	Shinewater Primary School Eastbourne, primary	1.00	2026	Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
66	St Leonards Church of England Primary Academy St Leonards-on-Sea, primary	1.00	2026	Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
67	The Haven Church of England Methodist Primary School Eastbourne, primary	1.00	2026	Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
68	Cradle Hill Community Primary School Seaford, primary	0.99	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
69	St Paul's Church of England Academy St Leonards-on-Sea, primary	0.99	2026	School remains Good (Improving) - S5 Next (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
70	Ark Blacklands Primary Academy Hastings, primary	0.98	2026	School remains Outstanding (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
71	Ark Castledown Primary Academy Hastings, primary	0.98	2026	Strong standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
72	Langney Primary Academy Eastbourne, primary	0.98	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
73	Parkland Infant School Eastbourne, primary	0.98	2026	Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
74	St Andrew's Church of England Infants School Eastbourne, primary	0.98	2026	none held
75	Buxted CofE Primary School Uckfield, primary	0.97	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
76	Mulberry Academy Hastings Hastings, secondary	0.97	2026	Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
77	Southover CofE Primary School Lewes, primary	0.97	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
78	St Marys Catholic Primary School Crowborough, primary	0.97	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
79	Rocks Park Primary School Uckfield, primary	0.96	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
80	Wadhurst CofE Primary School and Nursery Wadhurst, primary	0.96	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
81	West Rise Primary School and Nursery Eastbourne, primary	0.96	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
82	Christ Church CofE Primary and Nursery Academy Hastings, primary	0.95	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
83	Iford and Kingston Church of England Primary School Lewes, primary	0.95	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
84	Ninfield Church of England Primary School Battle, primary	0.95	2026	Inadequate (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
85	Polegate Primary School Polegate, primary	0.95	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
86	Roselands Infants' School Eastbourne, primary	0.95	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
87	Rye Community Primary School Rye, primary	0.95	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
88	King's Academy Ringmer Lewes, secondary	0.94	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
89	Manor Primary School Uckfield, primary	0.94	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
90	Robsack Wood Primary School St Leonards-on-Sea, primary	0.94	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
91	South Malling CofE Primary and Nursery School Lewes, primary	0.94	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
92	St Thomas A Becket Catholic Primary School Eastbourne, primary	0.94	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
93	Willingdon Primary School Eastbourne, primary	0.94	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
94	Beacon Academy Crowborough, secondary	0.93	2026	Outstanding (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
95	Plumpton Primary School Lewes, primary	0.93	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
96	Sir Henry Fermor Church of England Primary School Crowborough, primary	0.93	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
97	Brede Primary School Rye, primary	0.92	2026	Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
98	Mark Cross Church of England Aided Primary School Crowborough, primary	0.92	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
99	Ratton School Eastbourne, secondary	0.92	2026	Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
100	Dudley Infant Academy Hastings, primary	0.91	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
101	Rye College Rye, secondary	0.91	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
102	Maynards Green Community Primary School Heathfield, primary	0.90	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
103	Park Mead Primary School Hailsham, primary	0.90	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
104	Bourne Primary School Eastbourne, primary	0.89	2026	Requires improvement (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
105	Mulberry West St Leonards Primary St Leonards-on-Sea, primary	0.88	2026	Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
106	Salehurst Church of England Primary School Robertsbridge, primary	0.88	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
107	Sandown Primary School and Nursery Hastings, primary	0.88	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
108	St Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Primary School St Leonards-on-Sea, primary	0.88	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
109	Telscombe Cliffs Academy Peacehaven, primary	0.88	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
110	Groombridge St Thomas' Church of England Primary School Tunbridge Wells, primary	0.87	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
111	Herstmonceux Church of England Primary School Hailsham, primary	0.87	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
112	Icklesham Church of England Primary School and Nursery Winchelsea, primary	0.87	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
113	Bonners CofE School Uckfield, primary	0.86	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
114	Heron Park Primary Academy Eastbourne, primary	0.86	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
115	Pashley Down Infant School Eastbourne, primary	0.86	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
116	St Philip's Catholic Primary School Uckfield, primary	0.86	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
117	Mulberry Silverdale Primary St Leonards-On-Sea, primary	0.85	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
118	Peacehaven Heights Academy Peacehaven, primary	0.84	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
119	Churchwood Primary School St Leonards-on-Sea, primary	0.80	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
120	Hurst Green Church of England Primary School and Nursery Etchingham, primary	0.80	2026	Improved significantly (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
121	Ark Alexandra Academy HASTINGS, secondary	0.79	2026	Strong standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
122	Bexhill High Academy Bexhill-on-Sea, secondary	0.79	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
123	Chailey St Peter's Church of England Primary School Lewes, primary	0.79	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
124	Western Road Community Primary School Lewes, primary	0.79	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
125	Westfield School Hastings, primary	0.78	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
126	Cross-in-Hand Church of England Primary School Heathfield, primary	0.76	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
127	Glenleigh Park Primary Academy Bexhill-on-Sea, primary	0.76	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
128	All Saints' and St Richard's Church of England Primary School Heathfield, primary	0.75	2026	Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
129	Uplands Academy Wadhurst, secondary	0.75	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
130	Pebsham Primary Academy Bexhill-on-Sea, primary	0.73	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
131	White House Academy Hailsham, primary	0.72	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
132	Five Ashes CofE Primary School Mayfield, primary	0.70	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
133	Hollington Primary School St. Leonards-on-Sea, primary	0.68	2026	Inadequate (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
134	Seahaven Academy Newhaven, secondary	0.68	2026	Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
135	Hawkes Farm Academy Hailsham, primary	0.67	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
136	Hailsham Academy Hailsham, all through	0.65	2026	Inadequate (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
137	Burwash CofE School Etchingham, primary	0.64	2026	Outstanding (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
138	Robertsbridge Community College Robertsbridge, secondary	0.64	2026	Inadequate (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
139	Frant Church of England Primary School Tunbridge Wells, primary	0.60	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
140	Chantry Community Primary School Bexhill-on-Sea, primary	0.55	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
141	King Offa Primary Academy Bexhill-on-Sea, primary	0.55	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
142	Breakwater Academy Newhaven, primary	0.53	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
143	High Cliff Academy Newhaven, primary	0.50	2026	Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
144	The Turing School Eastbourne, secondary	0.48	2026	Needs attention (Ofsted report card (current framework))
145	The Eastbourne Academy Eastbourne, secondary	0.46	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
146	Jarvis Brook Primary School Crowborough, primary	0.33	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)

Figures from the Department for Education, applications and offers. 146 schools in East Sussex have a published per-place figure. Schools with too few places for the figure to mean anything are left off. All schools in East Sussex · How we compare schools.