The Cavendish School is a all-through school in Eastbourne, serving pupils aged 2 to 16. 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 Cavendish School currently has around 1372 pupils on roll, which is about 104% of its capacity. The gender split is relatively balanced, with approximately 48.9% boys and 51.1% girls. Around 20.3% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, which gives an indication of the socio-economic mix. The student population reflects a mixed community across different backgrounds and needs.
Overall absence at the school is 6.5%. Persistent absence is recorded at 15.8%.
The majority of pupils are from a white british background (76.7%).
Safeguarding was judged to be effective, which is a key consideration for many parents.
Around 90% of pupils move on to sustained destinations after Year 11. Most continue into education (86%) , including 2% who stay in school sixth forms and 59% progressing to further education , while 1% enter apprenticeships .
| Address: | Eldon Road, Eastbourne, BN21 1UE |
| Website: | https://cavendish.cet.uk/ |
| Telephone: | 01323731340 |
| School Type: | Academy converter |
| Education phase: | All-through |
| Local authority: | East Sussex |
| Headteacher / Principal: | Mr Peter Marchant |
| Religious character: | Does not apply |
| Admissions policy: | Non-selective |
| Unique reference: | 138475 |
Ofsted inspection date: 28/01/2025
Safeguarding is effective
| Age Range: | 2 - 16 |
| Gender: | Mixed |
| School Capacity: | 1320 |
| Number of Pupils: | 1372 |
| Number of Boys: | 671 |
| Number of Girls: | 701 |
| School | England state-funded schools: | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall absence: | 6.5% | 4% |
| Persistent absence: | 15.8% | 8.2% |
| White British | 76.70% | 1053 |
| Other White | 7.50% | 103 |
| White and Asian | 2.80% | 39 |
| Other Mixed | 2.80% | 39 |
| Other Asian | 2.00% | 27 |
| White and Black Caribbean | 1.50% | 20 |
| African | 1.10% | 15 |
| Unclassified | 1.10% | 15 |
| Indian | 0.90% | 13 |
| Other (any other ethnic group) | 0.90% | 12 |
| Bangladeshi | 0.70% | 10 |
| White and Black African | 0.50% | 7 |
| Chinese | 0.30% | 4 |
| Irish Traveller (Traveller of Irish heritage) | 0.30% | 4 |
| Other Black | 0.30% | 4 |
| Irish | 0.20% | 3 |
| Pakistani | 0.20% | 3 |
| Caribbean | 0.10% | 1 |
| Gypsy/Roma | 0.00% | 0 |
Progress scores show how pupils performed compared with pupils nationally who had similar prior attainment. Scores above 0 are better than average; below 0 are worse than average.
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Motcombe Infants' School Macmillan Drive , BN21 1SN | 3out of 4 | 279 yd | Community school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Ocklynge Junior School Victoria Drive , BN20 8XN | - not rated | 766 yd | Community school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Ocklynge Junior School Victoria Drive , BN20 8XN | - not rated | 766 yd | Academy sponsor led | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Pashley Down Infant School Beechy Avenue , BN20 8NX | 3out of 4 | 865 yd | Community school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| St Thomas A Becket Catholic Junior School Tutts Barn Lane , BN22 8XT | - not rated | 1,396 yd | Voluntary aided school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Cavendish School Eldon Road , BN21 1UE | - not rated | 0 yd | Community school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Ratton School Park Avenue , BN21 2XR | - not rated | 1,292 yd | Foundation school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Ratton School Park Avenue , BN21 2XR | 3out of 4 | 1,292 yd | Academy converter | No | Mixed | More About School |
| The Eastbourne Academy Brodrick Road , BN22 9RQ | - not rated | 2,667 yd | Academy sponsor led | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Eastbourne Technology College Brodrick Road , BN22 9RQ | - not rated | 2,745 yd | Community school | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Park College Eastbourne King's Drive , BN21 2UN | - not rated | 1,267 yd | Further education | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| East Sussex College Group Cross Levels Way , BN21 2UF | - not rated | 1,360 yd | Further education | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Sussex Downs College Cross Levels Way , BN21 2UF | - not rated | 1,361 yd | Further education | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Eastbourne College of Arts and Technology Cross Levels Way , BN21 2UF | - not rated | 1,361 yd | Further education | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Cavendish School Eldon Road , BN21 1UE | - not rated | 0 yd | Academy converter | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Gildredge House Compton Place Road , BN20 8AB | - not rated | 1,474 yd | Free schools | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The South Downs Community Special School Beechy Avenue , BN20 8NU | - not rated | 732 yd | Community special school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| The South Downs School Beechy Avenue , BN20 8NU | 4out of 4 | 732 yd | Academy special converter | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Beresford House School Summerdown Road , BN20 8DS | - not rated | 1,157 yd | Other independent school | Not Applicable | Not applicable | More About School |
| Eastbourne Tutorial Unit 9 Park Lane , BN21 2UU | - not rated | 1,488 yd | Pupil referral unit | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Summerdown School 3 Broadwater Way , BN22 9PZ | - not rated | 1,816 yd | Free schools special | No | Mixed | More About School |
School statistics for this postcode are based on Ofsted rankings.