Best 3 Secondary schools in Mid Sussex – comparison

Q: How are these comparisons built?

We align public datasets side-by-side. Headline Ofsted judgement and publication date are shown when available. Exact pupil counts and precise FSM% are available to Pro users; free users see rounded values.

Q: What if a school has a recent ungraded visit?

Ungraded Section 8 visits do not replace the last graded judgement. We continue to show the latest graded judgement until a new graded inspection is published.

Q: Why can’t I see exact numbers?

To keep the service sustainable, exact pupil counts and precise FSM% are Pro features. Everyone can still compare approximate values.

Q: How should I choose a school?

Start with the most recent graded Ofsted judgement, then consider distance and travel, roll versus capacity, and the admissions policy. Visit the school, ask about pastoral support and enrichment, and ensure it fits your child’s needs.

Q: What should I look for when comparing schools?

Compare headline Ofsted and publication dates for recency; check FSM% and local context; review capacity utilisation (under, near, or over capacity); and look at trust or local authority governance. Read the official Ofsted report for curriculum and safeguarding details.

Comparison of secondary schools: St Paul's Catholic College (Secondary) in Burgess Hill; Downlands Community School (Secondary) in Hassocks; The Burgess Hill Academy (Secondary) in Burgess Hill — covering Ofsted outcomes, size, FSM%, governance, capacity & more.

At a glance

This page compares St Paul's Catholic College, Downlands Community School and The Burgess Hill Academy. They are secondary phase and academy converter, community school and academy sponsor led type located around Burgess Hill, West Sussex and Hassocks, West Sussex. The strongest headline Ofsted judgement here is 1 (St Paul's Catholic College), published Apr 2023. The lowest is 2 (Downlands Community School), published Nov 2022. The most recent inspection on record is for St Paul's Catholic College (Apr 2023). average roll around ≈ 1,150, combined total ≈ 3,450, typical FSM 10–15%, range 5–10%–15–20%; spread across trusts such as Bosco Catholic Education Trust and UNIVERSITY OF BRIGHTON ACADEMIES TRUST.

🔒 Export (Pro)

Attribute	St Paul's Catholic College RH15 8GA	Downlands Community School BN6 8LP	The Burgess Hill Academy RH15 9EA
Phase / Type	Secondary • Academy converter	Secondary • Community school	Secondary • Academy sponsor led
Location	Burgess Hill West Sussex RH15 8GA	Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8LP	Burgess Hill West Sussex RH15 9EA
Latest Ofsted	1 26 Apr 2023	2 23 Nov 2022	2 21 May 2019
Ofsted report	—	—	—
Pupils (roll)	≈ 1,200 🔒 Unlock exact pupils	≈ 1,250 🔒 Unlock exact pupils	≈ 1,000 🔒 Unlock exact pupils
FSM %	5–10% 🔒 Unlock exact FSM %	5–10% 🔒 Unlock exact FSM %	15–20% 🔒 Unlock exact FSM %
Capacity	1050	1200	1200
Capacity utilisation	Over capacity 🔒 View exact %	Near capacity 🔒 View exact %	Under capacity 🔒 View exact %
Age range	—	—	—
Gender	Mixed	Mixed	Mixed
Admissions policy	Non-selective	Non-selective	Non-selective
Trust / Local authority	Bosco Catholic Education Trust	West Sussex (938)	UNIVERSITY OF BRIGHTON ACADEMIES TRUST
Website	www.stpaulscatholiccollege.co.uk	downlands.w-sussex.sch.uk	www.theburgesshillacademy.org.uk
Telephone	01444873898	01273845892	01444241691
SEN provision	None reported	None reported	None reported
Profile	View profile	View profile	View profile

St Paul's Catholic College

RH15 8GA

Phase / Type: Secondary • Academy converter
Location: Burgess Hill
West Sussex
RH15 8GA
Ofsted: 1 26 Apr 2023
Pupils: ≈ 1,200 🔒 Exact value
FSM %: 5–10% 🔒 Exact %
Trust / LA: Bosco Catholic Education Trust
Website: www.stpaulscatholiccollege.co.uk
Telephone: 01444873898

Downlands Community School

BN6 8LP

Phase / Type: Secondary • Community school
Location: Hassocks
West Sussex
BN6 8LP
Ofsted: 2 23 Nov 2022
Pupils: ≈ 1,250 🔒 Exact value
FSM %: 5–10% 🔒 Exact %
Trust / LA: West Sussex (938)
Website: downlands.w-sussex.sch.uk
Telephone: 01273845892

The Burgess Hill Academy

RH15 9EA

Phase / Type: Secondary • Academy sponsor led
Location: Burgess Hill
West Sussex
RH15 9EA
Ofsted: 2 21 May 2019
Pupils: ≈ 1,000 🔒 Exact value
FSM %: 15–20% 🔒 Exact %
Trust / LA: UNIVERSITY OF BRIGHTON ACADEMIES TRUST
Website: www.theburgesshillacademy.org.uk
Telephone: 01444241691

Map of compared schools

How are these comparisons built?

We line up public school data side-by-side. Ofsted “headline” judgement is shown with the publication date when available. Exact pupil counts and precise FSM% are available to Pro users; everyone sees rounded values.

What if a school has a recent ungraded visit?

Ungraded visits (Section 8) check whether the previous graded judgement still stands, but do not replace it. We keep the latest graded judgement as the headline until a new graded inspection is published.

Why can’t I see exact numbers?

To keep the service sustainable, we show approximate pupils and bucketed FSM% to free users. Upgrade to AllSchools Pro to unlock precise figures and exports.

How should I choose a school?

Start with the most recent graded Ofsted judgement, then check whether it aligns with your child’s needs. Look at distance and travel, typical class sizes (roll vs capacity), and the school’s admissions policy. Speak to the school, arrange a visit, and ask about pastoral support and enrichment.

What should I look for when comparing schools?

Compare headline Ofsted and publication dates for recency; check FSM% and local context; scan capacity utilisation (under, near, or over capacity); and review trust/local authority for governance. If available, read the official Ofsted report for curriculum and safeguarding detail.

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