Ark Castledown Primary Academy vs Sandown Primary School and Nursery
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in South East, England, 1.7 km apart, using official English 2025 data. The better value in each row is highlighted.
Ark Castledown Primary Academy
Hastings · Academy primary · Ages 2–11
403 students
Sandown Primary School and Nursery
Hastings · Local authority primary · Ages 4–11
472 students
| Measure | Ark Castledown Primary Academy Hastings, South East | Sandown Primary School and Nursery Hastings, South East |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index (England) | 60 Top 50% | 67 Top 50% |
| Region rank | #1040 of 2,471 | #803 of 2,471 |
| National rank | #5869 of 15,697 | #4461 of 15,697 |
| Sector | Academy | Local authority |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | Ages 2–11 | Ages 4–11 |
| Students | 403 | 472 |
| Pupils on roll | 403 | 472 |
| Free school meals | 51.9% | 41.2% |
| Capacity filled | 84% | 98.3% |
| KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 78% | 81% |
| KS2 higher standard (RWM) | 8% | 10% |
| KS2 reading progress | – | – |
| KS2 writing progress | – | – |
| KS2 maths progress | – | – |
| Attainment 8 | – | – |
| Progress 8 | – | – |
| Grade 5+ English & maths | – | – |
| Grade 4+ English & maths | – | – |
| EBacc average points | – | – |
| A level points per entry | – | – |
| town | Hastings | Hastings |
| region | South East | South East |
| Website | www.arkcastledown.org | www.sandown.school |
The verdict
- •Sandown Primary School and Nursery scores higher on the Success Index (England) (67.1 vs 59.8).
- •Sandown Primary School and Nursery does better on ks2: reading, writing & maths expected standard (81% vs 78%).
- •Sandown Primary School and Nursery does better on ks2: higher standard (10% vs 8%).
- •Sandown Primary School and Nursery is the larger school with 472 students compared with 403.
- •Ark Castledown Primary Academy is a academy school while Sandown Primary School and Nursery is a local authority school, so fees and admission rules differ.
The Success Index (England) summarises published results and context from official data. It does not measure teaching quality or fit. Methodology.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Ark Castledown Primary Academy better than Sandown Primary School and Nursery?
On the Success Index (England), Sandown Primary School and Nursery ranks higher (67.1 vs 59.8 out of 100). The index is built from published results and context data, not from teaching quality or fit, so visit both schools before deciding.
How far apart are Ark Castledown Primary Academy and Sandown Primary School and Nursery?
About 1.7 km in a straight line, between Hastings and Hastings in South East.
Which has the better Pupils on roll?
Ark Castledown Primary Academy: 403. Sandown Primary School and Nursery: 472. Number of pupils in the latest school census.
How do Ark Castledown Primary Academy and Sandown Primary School and Nursery rank in South East?
Ark Castledown Primary Academy is 1040th of 2,471 and Sandown Primary School and Nursery is 803rd of 2,471 among primary schools in South East on the 2025 Success Index (England).