Seahaven Academy is a mainstream secondary school in Newhaven, East Sussex, for children and young people aged 11 to 16. In January 2026, 158 of its 701 pupils (22.5%) were getting SEN support and 13 (1.9%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 11–16
- 701 pupils
- Ofsted report card (2025)
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state secondary schools across England and in East Sussex.
22.5% get SEN support
158 of 701 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
Higher than the England average.
1.9% have an EHC plan
13 of 701 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
Lower than the England average.
Most common needs
- Social, emotional and mental health50
- Autism46
- Specific learning difficulty, such as dyslexia23
- Speech, language and communication22
- Moderate learning difficulty18
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
- Academy (sponsored)
- Ages
- 11 to 16
- Boys and girls
- Boys and girls
- Pupils
- 701 (places for 900)
- Headteacher
- Mr Mark Newnham-Reeve (Principal)
- Part of
- United Learning Trust
- Free school meals
- 36.4% of pupils eligible
- Council
- East Sussex
- School reference (URN)
- 140679
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, November 2025: Expected standard in every area
Inspected in November 2025 under Ofsted’s new report cards, which grade each area separately, from Exceptional to Urgent improvement, instead of one overall grade.
- InclusionExpected standard
- Curriculum and teachingExpected standard
- AchievementExpected standard
- Attendance and behaviourExpected standard
- Personal development and wellbeingExpected standard
- Leadership and governanceExpected standard
- SafeguardingMet
Contact and getting there
Haven Way, Newhaven, BN9 9TD
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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
- Denton Community Primary School and Nursery Mainstream + base · Ages 3–11 · Ofsted: Good 1.5 miles
- Peacehaven Community School Mainstream + base · Ages 11–16 · Ofsted: Good 1.6 miles
- Bowden House School Special school · Ages 5–18 · Ofsted: Good 3.0 miles
- Northease Manor School Independent · Ages 7–19 4.0 miles
Other mainstream schools
- High Cliff Academy Primary · Ages 4–11 · SEN support 18.8%, EHC plans 3.2% 0.2 miles
- Breakwater Academy Primary · Ages 4–11 · SEN support 37.5%, EHC plans 2.8% 0.4 miles
- Harbour Primary and Nursery School Primary · Ages 4–11 · SEN support 20.9%, EHC plans 2.1% 0.5 miles
All mainstream schools in East Sussex SEND schools in East Sussex
Questions about Seahaven Academy
How many pupils at Seahaven Academy have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 158 of the 701 pupils (22.5%) were getting SEN support and 13 (1.9%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state secondary schools it is 14.1% and 3.5%.
What are the most common needs at Seahaven Academy?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (50 pupils), autism (46 pupils) and dyslexia and other specific learning difficulties (23 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at Seahaven Academy?
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 Seahaven Academy?
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 Seahaven Academy?
You can ask for Seahaven Academy 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 Seahaven Academy 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 Denton Community Primary School and Nursery, about 1.5 miles away.
Where is Seahaven Academy?
Haven Way, Newhaven, BN9 9TD, 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.