Bede's Senior School vs Willingdon Community School
A head-to-head comparison of two secondary schools in South East, England, 6.7 km apart, using official English 2025 data. The better value in each row is highlighted.
Bede's Senior School
Hailsham · Independent secondary · Ages 13–19
763 students
Willingdon Community School
Eastbourne · Local authority secondary · Ages 11–16
1,117 students
| Measure | Bede's Senior School Hailsham, South East | Willingdon Community School Eastbourne, South East |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index (England) | 21 Lower 50% | 59 Top 50% |
| Region rank | #554 of 679 | #290 of 679 |
| National rank | #3447 of 4,090 | #1563 of 4,090 |
| Sector | Independent | Local authority |
| Type | Secondary | Secondary |
| Year range | Ages 13–19 | Ages 11–16 |
| Students | 763 | 1,117 |
| Pupils on roll | 763 | 1,117 |
| Free school meals | – | 20.1% |
| Capacity filled | 87.2% | 106.1% |
| KS2 expected standard (RWM) | – | – |
| KS2 higher standard (RWM) | – | – |
| KS2 reading progress | – | – |
| KS2 writing progress | – | – |
| KS2 maths progress | – | – |
| Attainment 8 | 26.4 | 45.0 |
| Progress 8 | – | – |
| Grade 5+ English & maths | 0% | 48.5% |
| Grade 4+ English & maths | 0% | 70.7% |
| EBacc average points | 2.16 | 3.98 |
| A level points per entry | 41.8 | – |
| town | Hailsham | Eastbourne |
| region | South East | South East |
| Website | www.bedes.org | willingdonschool.org.uk/ |
The verdict
- •Willingdon Community School scores higher on the Success Index (England) (58.5 vs 21.2).
- •Willingdon Community School is the larger school with 1,117 students compared with 763.
- •Bede's Senior School is a independent school while Willingdon Community School 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.
Free academic assessment
Torn between two schools? Start with your child.
Whichever you choose, a free Success Tutoring assessment shows exactly where your child is in English and Maths and how to get ahead before the next school year.
- Personalised learning plan mapped to the Australian Curriculum
- English & Maths from Kindergarten to Year 12
- Flexible memberships, no lock-in contracts
- Centres across NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA and ACT
Frequently asked questions
Is Bede's Senior School better than Willingdon Community School?
On the Success Index (England), Willingdon Community School ranks higher (58.5 vs 21.2 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 Bede's Senior School and Willingdon Community School?
About 6.7 km in a straight line, between Hailsham and Eastbourne in South East.
Which has the better Pupils on roll?
Bede's Senior School: 763. Willingdon Community School: 1,117. Number of pupils in the latest school census.
How do Bede's Senior School and Willingdon Community School rank in South East?
Bede's Senior School is 554th of 679 and Willingdon Community School is 290th of 679 among secondary schools in South East on the 2025 Success Index (England).