Downlands Community School vs The Burgess Hill Academy
A head-to-head comparison of two secondary schools in South East, England, 3.4 km apart, using official English 2025 data. The better value in each row is highlighted.
Downlands Community School
Hassocks · Local authority secondary · Ages 11–16
1,250 students
The Burgess Hill Academy
Burgess Hill · Academy secondary · Ages 11–16
956 students
| Measure | Downlands Community School Hassocks, South East | The Burgess Hill Academy Burgess Hill, South East |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index (England) | 90 Top 10% | 60 Top 50% |
| Region rank | #73 of 679 | #274 of 679 |
| National rank | #255 of 4,090 | #1462 of 4,090 |
| Sector | Local authority | Academy |
| Type | Secondary | Secondary |
| Year range | Ages 11–16 | Ages 11–16 |
| Students | 1,250 | 956 |
| Pupils on roll | 1,250 | 956 |
| Free school meals | 8.2% | 15.9% |
| Capacity filled | 104.2% | 79.7% |
| KS2 expected standard (RWM) | – | – |
| KS2 higher standard (RWM) | – | – |
| KS2 reading progress | – | – |
| KS2 writing progress | – | – |
| KS2 maths progress | – | – |
| Attainment 8 | 57.3 | 44.6 |
| Progress 8 | – | – |
| Grade 5+ English & maths | 66.2% | 48.3% |
| Grade 4+ English & maths | 85.7% | 65.1% |
| EBacc average points | 5.33 | 3.81 |
| A level points per entry | – | – |
| town | Hassocks | Burgess Hill |
| region | South East | South East |
| Website | downlands.w-sussex.sch.uk/ | www.theburgesshillacademy.org.uk |
The verdict
- •Downlands Community School scores higher on the Success Index (England) (90.2 vs 60.4).
- •Downlands Community School is the larger school with 1,250 students compared with 956.
- •Downlands Community School is a local authority school while The Burgess Hill Academy is a academy 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 Downlands Community School better than The Burgess Hill Academy?
On the Success Index (England), Downlands Community School ranks higher (90.2 vs 60.4 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 Downlands Community School and The Burgess Hill Academy?
About 3.4 km in a straight line, between Hassocks and Burgess Hill in South East.
Which has the better Pupils on roll?
Downlands Community School: 1,250. The Burgess Hill Academy: 956. Number of pupils in the latest school census.
How do Downlands Community School and The Burgess Hill Academy rank in South East?
Downlands Community School is 73rd of 679 and The Burgess Hill Academy is 274th of 679 among secondary schools in South East on the 2025 Success Index (England).