Beacon Academy, based in Crowborough, provides secondary education, serving pupils aged 11 to 18. The school is a academy converter and operates as a mixed school. It follows a non-selective admissions policy. It does not have a designated religious character, which may suit families looking for a non-faith school. The school also offers a sixth form, allowing students to continue into post-16 education on site.
Beacon Academy currently has around 1662 pupils on roll, which is about 107% of its capacity. The gender split is relatively balanced, with approximately 49.2% boys and 50.8% girls. Around 14.5% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, which gives an indication of the socio-economic mix. The school has a diverse intake across different backgrounds and needs.
Overall absence at the school is 10.2%. Persistent absence is recorded at 30.8%.
The majority of pupils are from a white british background (85.9%).
At its latest Ofsted inspection, the school was rated Outstanding. This indicates exceptional performance across all areas. Safeguarding was judged to be effective, which is a key consideration for many parents.
Around 94% of pupils move on to sustained destinations after Year 11. Most continue into education (87%) , including 52% who stay in school sixth forms and 34% progressing to further education , while 4% enter apprenticeships .
| Address: | North Beeches Road, Crowborough, TN6 2AS |
| Website: | http://www.beacon-academy.org/web/ |
| Telephone: | 01892603000 |
| School Type: | Academy converter |
| Education phase: | Secondary |
| Local authority: | East Sussex |
| Headteacher / Principal: | Mr Keith Slattery |
| Religious character: | Does not apply |
| Admissions policy: | Non-selective |
| Unique reference: | 137982 |
Ofsted inspection date: 16/04/2024
Safeguarding is effective
| Age Range: | 11 - 18 |
| Gender: | Mixed |
| School Capacity: | 1550 |
| Number of Pupils: | 1662 |
| Number of Boys: | 817 |
| Number of Girls: | 845 |
| School | England state-funded schools: | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall absence: | 10.2% | 4% |
| Persistent absence: | 30.8% | 8.2% |
| White British | 85.90% | 1428 |
| Other White | 5.00% | 83 |
| White and Asian | 1.50% | 25 |
| Other (any other ethnic group) | 1.30% | 21 |
| Indian | 1.10% | 19 |
| Other Mixed | 1.10% | 18 |
| African | 0.90% | 15 |
| White and Black African | 0.70% | 11 |
| Other Asian | 0.70% | 11 |
| White and Black Caribbean | 0.60% | 10 |
| Bangladeshi | 0.40% | 7 |
| Chinese | 0.30% | 5 |
| Irish | 0.20% | 4 |
| Unclassified | 0.20% | 4 |
| Gypsy/Roma | 0.10% | 1 |
| Pakistani | 0.00% | 0 |
| Caribbean | 0.00% | 0 |
| Other Black | 0.00% | 0 |
| Irish Traveller (Traveller of Irish heritage) | 0.00% | 0 |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sir Henry Fermor Church of England Primary School Crowborough Hill , TN6 2SD | 3out of 4 | 213 yd | Academy sponsor led | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Sir Henry Fermor Church of England Primary School Crowborough Hill , TN6 2SD | - not rated | 213 yd | Voluntary aided school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| St Marys Catholic Primary School Chapel Green , TN6 2LB | 3out of 4 | 415 yd | Voluntary aided school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Ashdown Primary School Luxford Road , TN6 2HW | 3out of 4 | 761 yd | Community school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Herne Junior School Herne Road , TN6 2NT | - not rated | 1,295 yd | Community school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beacon Academy North Beeches Road , TN6 2AS | 4out of 4 | 0 yd | Academy converter | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Beacon Community College East Beeches Road , TN6 2AS | - not rated | 0 yd | Community school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acre Wood Academy Church Road , TN6 1BN | - not rated | 1,379 yd | Academy special sponsor led | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Grove Park School Church Road , TN6 1BN | - not rated | 1,385 yd | Community special school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Crowborough Tutorial Centre Aldene Centre , Fermor Road TN6 3AN | - not rated | 1,547 yd | Pupil referral unit | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Walsh Manor School Walshes Road , TN6 3RB | - not rated | 1,929 yd | Other independent school | No | Mixed | More About School |
School statistics for this postcode are based on Ofsted rankings.