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 |
Catsfield Church of England Primary School Battle, primary |
1.87 | 2025 | Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 2 |
Harlands Community Primary & Nursery School Uckfield, primary |
1.73 | 2025 | Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 3 |
The Cavendish School Eastbourne, all through |
1.61 | 2025 | Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 4 |
Blackboys Church of England Primary School Uckfield, primary |
1.60 | 2025 | Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 5 |
Western Road Community Primary School Lewes, primary |
1.57 | 2025 | Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 6 |
Claverham Community College Battle, secondary |
1.50 | 2025 | School remains Good (Improving) - S5 Next (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 7 |
Ark Little Ridge Primary Academy St Leonards-on-Sea, primary |
1.40 | 2025 | Outstanding (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 8 |
Bonners CofE School Uckfield, primary |
1.40 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 9 |
Parkside Community Primary School Heathfield, primary |
1.40 | 2025 | Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework)) |
| 10 |
St Catherine's College Eastbourne, secondary |
1.39 | 2025 | Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 11 |
Rocks Park Primary School Uckfield, primary |
1.37 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 12 |
South Malling CofE Primary and Nursery School Lewes, primary |
1.34 | 2025 | Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 13 |
Frant Church of England Primary School Tunbridge Wells, primary |
1.33 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 14 |
Meridian Community Primary School and Nursery Peacehaven, primary |
1.32 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 15 |
Peacehaven Community School Peacehaven, secondary |
1.32 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 16 |
Willingdon Community School Eastbourne, secondary |
1.29 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 17 |
Rotherfield Primary School Crowborough, primary |
1.27 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 18 |
Stonegate Church of England Primary School Wadhurst, primary |
1.27 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 19 |
St John's Church of England Primary School Crowborough, primary |
1.23 | 2025 | Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 20 |
Uckfield College Uckfield, secondary |
1.22 | 2025 | Outstanding (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 21 |
Alfriston School Polegate, primary |
1.20 | 2025 | Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 22 |
High Hurstwood Church of England Primary School Uckfield, primary |
1.20 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 23 |
Barcombe Church of England Primary School Lewes, primary |
1.15 | 2025 | Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 24 |
Harbour Primary and Nursery School Newhaven, primary |
1.15 | 2025 | Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 25 |
All Saints Church of England Primary School, Bexhill Bexhill-on-Sea, primary |
1.13 | 2025 | Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 26 |
Denton Community Primary School and Nursery Newhaven, primary |
1.13 | 2025 | Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 27 |
Ditchling St Margaret's Church of England Primary School Ditchling, primary |
1.13 | 2025 | Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 28 |
Icklesham Church of England Primary School and Nursery Winchelsea, primary |
1.13 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 29 |
Park Mead Primary School Hailsham, primary |
1.13 | 2025 | Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 30 |
Seaford Head School Seaford, secondary |
1.11 | 2025 | School remains Outstanding (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 31 |
Forest Row Church of England Primary School and Nursery Forest Row, primary |
1.10 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 32 |
Maynards Green Community Primary School Heathfield, primary |
1.10 | 2025 | Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 33 |
Sandown Primary School and Nursery Hastings, primary |
1.10 | 2025 | Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 34 |
St Leonards Church of England Primary Academy St Leonards-on-Sea, primary |
1.10 | 2025 | Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework)) |
| 35 |
St Peter and St Paul CofE Primary School Bexhill-on-Sea, primary |
1.10 | 2025 | Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 36 |
Willingdon Primary School Eastbourne, primary |
1.10 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 37 |
Chailey School Lewes, secondary |
1.08 | 2025 | Strong standard (Ofsted report card (current framework)) |
| 38 |
Pashley Down Infant School Eastbourne, primary |
1.08 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 39 |
Bodiam Church of England Primary School Robertsbridge, primary |
1.07 | 2025 | Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 40 |
St Thomas' Church of England Aided Primary School Winchelsea, primary |
1.05 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 41 |
Annecy Catholic Primary School Seaford, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 42 |
Beckley Church of England Primary School Rye, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 43 |
Burwash CofE School Etchingham, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | Outstanding (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 44 |
Churchwood Primary School St Leonards-on-Sea, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 45 |
Chyngton School Seaford, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework)) |
| 46 |
Dallington Church of England Primary School Heathfield, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 47 |
Dudley Infant Academy Hastings, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 48 |
Fletching Church of England Primary School Uckfield, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 49 |
Glenleigh Park Primary Academy Bexhill-on-Sea, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 50 |
Heron Park Primary Academy Eastbourne, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 51 |
King Offa Primary Academy Bexhill-on-Sea, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 52 |
Langney Primary Academy Eastbourne, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 53 |
Northiam Church of England Primary School and Nursery Rye, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 54 |
Nutley Church of England Primary School Uckfield, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework)) |
| 55 |
Peasmarsh Church of England Primary School Rye, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 56 |
Pebsham Primary Academy Bexhill-on-Sea, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 57 |
Pevensey and Westham CofE Primary School Pevensey, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 58 |
Seaford Primary School Seaford, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework)) |
| 59 |
The Haven Church of England Methodist Primary School Eastbourne, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework)) |
| 60 |
Westfield School Hastings, primary |
1.00 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 61 |
West Rise Primary School and Nursery Eastbourne, primary |
0.99 | 2025 | Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 62 |
Cradle Hill Community Primary School Seaford, primary |
0.98 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 63 |
Stone Cross School Pevensey, primary |
0.98 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 64 |
Ark Castledown Primary Academy Hastings, primary |
0.97 | 2025 | Strong standard (Ofsted report card (current framework)) |
| 65 |
Ashdown Primary School Crowborough, primary |
0.97 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 66 |
Sedlescombe Church of England Primary School BATTLE, primary |
0.97 | 2025 | School remains Good (Improving) - S5 Next (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 67 |
Sir Henry Fermor Church of England Primary School Crowborough, primary |
0.97 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 68 |
Mulberry Academy Hastings Hastings, secondary |
0.96 | 2025 | Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework)) |
| 69 |
Mulberry Baird Primary Hastings, primary |
0.96 | 2025 | Requires improvement (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 70 |
St Mary Magdalene Catholic Primary School Bexhill-on-Sea, primary |
0.96 | 2025 | Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 71 |
Wadhurst CofE Primary School and Nursery Wadhurst, primary |
0.96 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 72 |
Battle and Langton Church of England Primary School Battle, primary |
0.95 | 2025 | Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 73 |
Hurst Green Church of England Primary School and Nursery Etchingham, primary |
0.95 | 2025 | Improved significantly (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 74 |
Ore Village Primary Academy Hastings, primary |
0.95 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 75 |
Parkland Infant School Eastbourne, primary |
0.95 | 2025 | Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework)) |
| 76 |
Plumpton Primary School Lewes, primary |
0.95 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 77 |
Polegate Primary School Polegate, primary |
0.95 | 2025 | Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 78 |
Beacon Academy Crowborough, secondary |
0.94 | 2025 | Outstanding (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 79 |
Heathfield Community College Heathfield, secondary |
0.94 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 80 |
Oakwood Primary Academy Eastbourne, primary |
0.94 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 81 |
Robsack Wood Primary School St Leonards-on-Sea, primary |
0.94 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 82 |
Roselands Infants' School Eastbourne, primary |
0.94 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 83 |
Ark Blacklands Primary Academy Hastings, primary |
0.93 | 2025 | School remains Outstanding (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 84 |
Christ Church CofE Primary and Nursery Academy Hastings, primary |
0.93 | 2025 | Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 85 |
Gildredge House Eastbourne, all through |
0.93 | 2025 | Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 86 |
Guestling Bradshaw Church of England Primary School Hastings, primary |
0.93 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 87 |
St Paul's Church of England Academy St Leonards-on-Sea, primary |
0.93 | 2025 | School remains Good (Improving) - S5 Next (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 88 |
Wivelsfield Primary School and Nursery Wivelsfield Green, primary |
0.93 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 89 |
All Saints' and St Richard's Church of England Primary School Heathfield, primary |
0.92 | 2025 | Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework)) |
| 90 |
Hamsey Community Primary School Lewes, primary |
0.92 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 91 |
Punnetts Town Community Primary and Nursery School Heathfield, primary |
0.92 | 2025 | Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 92 |
Rye College Rye, secondary |
0.92 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 93 |
Brede Primary School Rye, primary |
0.91 | 2025 | Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework)) |
| 94 |
King's Academy Ringmer Lewes, secondary |
0.91 | 2025 | Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 95 |
Mulberry Silverdale Primary St Leonards-On-Sea, primary |
0.91 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 96 |
Priory School Lewes, secondary |
0.91 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 97 |
Rye Community Primary School Rye, primary |
0.91 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 98 |
Shinewater Primary School Eastbourne, primary |
0.91 | 2025 | Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework)) |
| 99 |
Danehill Church of England Primary School Haywards Heath, primary |
0.90 | 2025 | School remains Good (Concerns) - S5 Next (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 100 |
White House Academy Hailsham, primary |
0.90 | 2025 | Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 101 |
Motcombe Infants' School Eastbourne, primary |
0.89 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 102 |
Mulberry West St Leonards Primary St Leonards-on-Sea, primary |
0.89 | 2025 | Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework)) |
| 103 |
Iford and Kingston Church of England Primary School Lewes, primary |
0.88 | 2025 | Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 104 |
Netherfield CofE Primary School Battle, primary |
0.88 | 2025 | Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework)) |
| 105 |
Ticehurst and Flimwell Church of England Primary School Wadhurst, primary |
0.88 | 2025 | Some aspects not as strong (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 106 |
Mark Cross Church of England Aided Primary School Crowborough, primary |
0.87 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 107 |
Chailey St Peter's Church of England Primary School Lewes, primary |
0.86 | 2025 | Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 108 |
Etchingham Church of England Primary School Etchingham, primary |
0.85 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 109 |
Mayfield Church of England Primary School Mayfield, primary |
0.85 | 2025 | Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 110 |
Bourne Primary School Eastbourne, primary |
0.83 | 2025 | Requires improvement (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 111 |
St Marys Catholic Primary School Crowborough, primary |
0.83 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 112 |
Southover CofE Primary School Lewes, primary |
0.82 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 113 |
Cross-in-Hand Church of England Primary School Heathfield, primary |
0.81 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 114 |
Firle Church of England Primary School Lewes, primary |
0.80 | 2025 | Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 115 |
Hankham Primary School Pevensey, primary |
0.80 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 116 |
Little Horsted Church of England Primary School Uckfield, primary |
0.80 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 117 |
Ratton School Eastbourne, secondary |
0.80 | 2025 | Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework)) |
| 118 |
Telscombe Cliffs Academy Peacehaven, primary |
0.78 | 2025 | Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 119 |
Bexhill High Academy Bexhill-on-Sea, secondary |
0.77 | 2025 | Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 120 |
Herstmonceux Church of England Primary School Hailsham, primary |
0.77 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 121 |
High Cliff Academy Newhaven, primary |
0.76 | 2025 | Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework)) |
| 122 |
Ark Alexandra Academy HASTINGS, secondary |
0.75 | 2025 | Strong standard (Ofsted report card (current framework)) |
| 123 |
East Hoathly CofE Primary School Lewes, primary |
0.75 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 124 |
St John's Meads Church of England Primary School Eastbourne, primary |
0.75 | 2025 | Requires improvement (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 125 |
Chiddingly Primary School Lewes, primary |
0.73 | 2025 | Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 126 |
Framfield Church of England Primary School Uckfield, primary |
0.71 | 2025 | Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 127 |
Peacehaven Heights Academy Peacehaven, primary |
0.70 | 2025 | Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 128 |
Uplands Academy Wadhurst, secondary |
0.69 | 2025 | Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 129 |
Buxted CofE Primary School Uckfield, primary |
0.68 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 130 |
Groombridge St Thomas' Church of England Primary School Tunbridge Wells, primary |
0.68 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 131 |
Wallands Community Primary and Nursery School Lewes, primary |
0.67 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 132 |
St Philip's Catholic Primary School Uckfield, primary |
0.66 | 2025 | Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 133 |
Manor Primary School Uckfield, primary |
0.65 | 2025 | School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 134 |
The Eastbourne Academy Eastbourne, secondary |
0.60 | 2025 | Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 135 |
Laughton Community Primary School Lewes, primary |
0.57 | 2025 | Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 136 |
Jarvis Brook Primary School Crowborough, primary |
0.54 | 2025 | Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection) |
| 137 |
Hawkes Farm Academy Hailsham, primary |
0.46 | 2025 | Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework)) |
| 138 |
The Turing School Eastbourne, secondary |
0.44 | 2025 | Needs attention (Ofsted report card (current framework)) |
| 139 |
Seahaven Academy Newhaven, secondary |
0.42 | 2025 | Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework)) |
Figures from the Department for Education, applications and offers. 139 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.