SACRED HEART CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL, HASTINGS in East Sussex, Hastings

Education Centre Information: Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School, Hastings:

Establishment Type:Voluntary Aided School
Phase of Education: Primary
Status: Open
Local Authority: East Sussex
Boarders: No Boarders
Sixth Form: Does not have a sixth form
Urban/Rural Description: Urban > 10k - less sparse
Special Classes: No Special Classes
Religious Character: Roman Catholic
Diocese: Diocese of Arundel and Brighton
Nursery Provider: No Nursery Classes
Total Pupils: 225
Number of boys: 124
Number of girls: 102
Age Range: 4-11
Gender: Mixed
View inspection reports

Background:

Originally a private Catholic girls school run by the Nuns of Our Lady of the Mission Order, Sacred Heart RC School became a state primary in 1953. There are no longer any nuns in the school and the convent building to which the school was attached has now been sold to be developed for private housing. The school has 'extensive' grounds including two playgrounds, a netball court, grass tennis court and field. It has some problems with the Bourne Stream which runs under the grounds and can appear in different places. The catchment area is wide, taking in half of the town, and the pupils are of very mixed ability with 'some very able pupils but a very long tail at the other end'. More than a third of pupils are on the SEN register, with six pupils statemented and three of those on the autistic spectrum. In spite of the the profile of pupils at entry, they 'make excellent progress through the school'. In 1998 the school was runner up in the town sports, and won it in the previous two years. It was also runner up in the inter-schools netball tournament. The school offers a variety of clubs including rugby, cricket, netball, football, music, drama and art. It is 'very involved' in the life of the local parish church and the major charity supported by the school is CAFOD. 'The Catholic life of the school is very important and is shared with the parents and the parish community when possible'.