Chailey School is a mainstream secondary school in Lewes, East Sussex, for children and young people aged 11 to 16. In January 2026, 130 of its 862 pupils (15.1%) were getting SEN support and 30 (3.5%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 11–16
- 862 pupils
- Ofsted report card (2026)
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state secondary schools across England and in East Sussex.
15.1% get SEN support
130 of 862 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
About the same as the England average.
3.5% have an EHC plan
30 of 862 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
About the same as the England average.
Most common needs
- Autism41
- Specific learning difficulty, such as dyslexia39
- Social, emotional and mental health36
- Moderate learning difficulty17
- Speech, language and communication13
Pupils by their main need, on SEN support or with an EHC plan. Needs with fewer than 5 pupils aren’t shown.
Figures show how many children the school supports, not how well. To see how it would support your child, talk to the SENCO and read its SEN information report on the school’s website.
School details
- Type
- Mainstream secondary school
- Run as
- Council-run school
- Ages
- 11 to 16
- Boys and girls
- Boys and girls
- Pupils
- 862 (places for 870)
- Headteacher
- Mr Paul Holt
- Free school meals
- 14.8% of pupils eligible
- Council
- East Sussex
- School reference (URN)
- 114594
How SEN support works
4 steps, from a first chat to an EHC plan
- Talk to the class teacher and the SENCO
If you’re worried about your child, ask for a meeting. Every school has a SENCO (special educational needs co-ordinator). Your child doesn’t need a diagnosis to get help.
- SEN support
The school should work out what your child needs, agree a plan with you, put it in place and review it together, usually each term. This is called SEN support.
- An EHC needs assessment
If your child needs more help than the school can usually give, you or the school can ask East Sussex council for an EHC needs assessment. It can lead to an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan, which the council must make sure is delivered.
- Free, independent advice
Your local SENDIASS can help at any stage, and can come to meetings with the school with you.
Questions to ask the SENCO
10 questions to tick off as you go
Ticks stay on this device, so you can use them at the meeting.
Ofsted
Report card, February 2026: Strong standard in 4 of 6 areas
Inspected in February 2026 under Ofsted’s new report cards, which grade each area separately, from Exceptional to Urgent improvement, instead of one overall grade.
- InclusionStrong standard
- Curriculum and teachingExpected standard
- AchievementExpected standard
- Attendance and behaviourStrong standard
- Personal development and wellbeingStrong standard
- Leadership and governanceStrong standard
- SafeguardingMet
Since then: School remains Good (ungraded inspection, January 2022).
Contact and getting there
Mill Lane, South Chailey, Lewes, BN8 4PU
Loading the map…
Directions: Walk Public transport Drive
Email me these details
The school’s details, its SEN figures and the questions to ask the SENCO, in your inbox.
Nearby
Specialist schools and SEN units
- Chailey St Peter's Church of England Primary School Mainstream + base · Ages 4–11 1.4 miles
- Chailey Heritage School Special school · Ages 3–19 · Ofsted: Outstanding 2.2 miles
- Central Education Ltd Independent · Ages 11–16 · Ofsted: Requires improvement 3.9 miles
- Wallands Community Primary and Nursery School Mainstream + base · Ages 3–11 · Ofsted: Good 4.4 miles
Other mainstream schools
- Plumpton Primary School Primary · Ages 4–11 · SEN support 14.7%, EHC plans 0.7% 1.5 miles
- Barcombe Church of England Primary School Primary · Ages 4–11 · SEN support 12.1%, EHC plans 4.5% 2.3 miles
- Wivelsfield Primary School and Nursery Primary · Ages 4–11 · SEN support 10.7%, EHC plans 5% 2.6 miles
All mainstream schools in East Sussex SEND schools in East Sussex
Questions about Chailey School
How many pupils at Chailey School have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 130 of the 862 pupils (15.1%) were getting SEN support and 30 (3.5%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state secondary schools it is 14.1% and 3.5%.
What are the most common needs at Chailey School?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are autism (41 pupils), dyslexia and other specific learning difficulties (39 pupils) and social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (36 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at Chailey School?
The SENCO (special educational needs co-ordinator). Every school has one, and every school must publish an SEN information report on its website explaining how it supports pupils with SEND.
How do I apply for a place at Chailey School?
Through East Sussex council’s school admissions, in the normal application round or during the year. If your child has an EHC plan, you don’t apply this way: you ask for the school to be named in the plan instead.
Can my child with an EHC plan go to Chailey School?
You can ask for Chailey School to be named in your child’s EHC plan. The council must consult the school and name it, unless it would be unsuitable for your child’s age, ability or needs, or would affect other children’s education or the efficient use of resources.
Does Chailey School have an SEN unit or resourced provision?
Not according to the Department for Education’s register of schools. The nearest mainstream school with one is Chailey St Peter's Church of England Primary School, about 1.4 miles away.
Where is Chailey School?
Mill Lane, South Chailey, Lewes, BN8 4PU, in East Sussex.
School data: DfE Get Information About Schools, SEN figures from DfE Special educational needs in England (the January school census), under the Open Government Licence. Postcode lookups by postcodes.io: contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right, Royal Mail data © Royal Mail copyright and database right, and National Statistics data © Crown copyright and database right. Distances are as the crow flies. Always check details and admissions with the school and your council.