Ark Castledown Primary Academy
Primary · Academy sponsor led · Ages 2–11 · Hastings, East Sussex
Last distance offered · Reception 2026
Every applicant was offered a place
From East Sussex County Council · offers on 16 April 2026
Reception last distance offered, 2019–2026 (miles)
All: every applicant was offered a place.
Ark Castledown Primary Academy is a primary school in Hastings, East Sussex for ages 2–11 (academy sponsor led). East Sussex has published a last distance offered for this school for Reception 2017 to 2026 entry.
Ark Castledown Primary Academy catchment area: last distance offered
Parents often call this the catchment area: it's how far from the school the last child offered a place lived. It changes every year.
| Entry | Last distance offered |
|---|---|
| Reception 2026 | Every applicant was offered a place |
| Reception 2025 | Every applicant was offered a place |
| Reception 2024 | Every applicant was offered a place |
| Reception 2023 | Every applicant was offered a place |
| Reception 2022 | Every applicant was offered a place |
| Reception 2021 | Every applicant was offered a place |
| Reception 2020 | Every applicant was offered a place |
| Reception 2019 | Every applicant was offered a place |
| Reception 2018 | Every applicant was offered a place |
| Reception 2017 | Every applicant was offered a place |
What the pass includes · How to read it: one past year, not a catchment
What the figures show
- Here 51.9% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, against a middle figure of 32.5% across the 8 nearest primary schools in East Sussex.
- Every Reception 2026 applicant was offered a place: 41 first-choice applications for 42 offers, with 1 offer going to a family who ranked it second or lower.
- In 2024/25, 78% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths (England 62%), and 8% reached the higher standard (England 8%).
- Its 2024/25 figure of 78% was the 3rd highest of 6 schools: this one and the 5 of the 8 nearest primary schools in East Sussex that have results.
Worked out by Catchmently from the published figures on this page and those for other East Sussex schools. Distances are as published; how they were measured differs between admission authorities.
Key facts
- Address
- Priory Road, Hastings, TN34 3QT
- Type
- Academy sponsor led
- Phase
- Primary
- Ages
- 2–11
- Council
- East Sussex
- Pupils on roll
- 403 January 2026 school census
- Free school meals
- 51.9% of pupils eligible
- Pupils per teacher
- 24.6
Official record: Get Information about Schools · as at 15 September 2026
Ofsted
No Ofsted grade Inspected 11 November 2025
Strengths
- “Pupils thrive at this highly inclusive school.”
- “They have a clear sense of belonging and feel safe.”
- “Pupils are confident and proud of their school.”
To improve
- “Leaders should continue with their strategy and implementation of ensuring sustained high attendance for all pupils.”
Safeguarding: met
Quoted from the Ofsted report published 12 January 2026 (read the report). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.
Exam results
| Measure | School | England |
|---|---|---|
| Key stage 2 · reading, writing and maths, expected standard (2024/25) | 78% | 62% |
Department for Education school performance data. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Applications and offers
- 2026 Reception entry: 41 first-preference applications, 42 offers in total, 41 offers to first-preference applicants.
Department for Education, school-level applications and offers, figures on national offer day. Earlier years are in the pass.
Nearby primary schools
Straight-line distance, in East Sussex.
- Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School 0.3 mi No Ofsted grade Last distance published
- Mulberry Baird Primary 0.4 mi Requires improvement Last distance published
- Dudley Infant Academy 0.4 mi Standards maintained Last distance published
- All Saints CofE Junior Academy 0.6 mi School remains Good
- Ark Blacklands Primary Academy 0.8 mi School remains Outstanding Last distance published
- Sandown Primary School and Nursery 1.1 mi Standards maintained Last distance published
- St Paul's Church of England Academy 1.2 mi School remains Good (Improving) - S5 Next Last distance published
- St Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Primary School 1.2 mi No Ofsted grade Last distance published