Special academy · East Sussex

The South Downs School

Special
Ages 4–11

Term dates

Special academies can set their own term dates. Many follow East Sussex council's dates, shown below as a guide, but check with the school, especially for INSET days.

2026/27

2027/28

See East Sussex's full dates

Admissions

Places at special schools are usually arranged through an education, health and care (EHC) plan, agreed with the council.

How EHC plans work on GOV.UK

Ofsted inspection

Short (ungraded) inspection, 13 November 2024: Standards maintained.

Read the Ofsted reports

From Ofsted's published inspection data (Open Government Licence). Report cards and older grades use different scales, so they can't be compared directly.

About and location

Type: Special academy
Phase: Special
Ages: 4–11
Pupils: 164 (capacity 160)
Gender: Mixed
Academy trust: THE SOUTHFIELD TRUST
Phone: 01323730302
Address: Beechy Avenue, Eastbourne, BN20 8NU
Website: thesouthfieldtrust.com

Official school record, including Ofsted reports

School details from the Department for Education's register of schools (Open Government Licence). Report a correction.