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catchment.school

The Ropemakers' Academy Catchment Area

Reviewed by the catchment.school editorial team · Last updated 15 March 2026

The Ropemakers' Academy is a free s special not applicable school in Hailsham, East Sussex , serving pupils aged 4-16, with 111 pupils, and a capacity of 80 places. The school is currently at or above capacity, making catchment area proximity important for admissions.

4-16

Age range

111

Pupils

80

Capacity

139%

Fill rate

Good

Ofsted 2023

The Ropemakers' Academy Catchment Area Information

What is the catchment area for The Ropemakers' Academy?

The catchment area for The Ropemakers' Academy is the geographic zone East Sussex uses to prioritise admissions when this not applicable school receives more applications than it has places. Children living inside the boundary are ranked higher under the oversubscription criteria, after looked-after children and siblings. East Sussex publishes the exact boundary and the last distance offered before each admissions cycle, and the boundary can change year to year.

The catchment area for The Ropemakers' Academy is set by East Sussex and reviewed annually. Children living within the catchment boundary receive priority consideration when applications exceed the number of available places.

Currently oversubscribed: 111 pupils enrolled against a capacity of 80 places. Living within the catchment area is especially important for this school.

Not getting a place? Learn how to appeal a school place →

Want the cut-off distance before you apply? Get an alert when East Sussex publishes the 2027 The Ropemakers' Academy numbers →

The official admissions policy, including the catchment boundary map, is published by East Sussex before each admissions cycle. Always verify your address with the council before submitting an application, as boundaries can change year to year.

Find East Sussex catchment area documents →

The Ropemakers' Academy: heavily oversubscribed at 139% capacity

The Ropemakers' Academy has a published admission number of 80 places. 111 pupils were enrolled in the most recent data, giving a fill rate of 139%. At 139% capacity, the school is heavily oversubscribed. East Sussex allocates places using ranked criteria: looked-after children first, then siblings, then catchment distance. Living within the catchment area is a strong but not guaranteed advantage, as the last distance offered shrinks each year as applications rise.

The fill-rate figure above reflects overall demand, but the school's intake also varies by community profile. 62.2% of pupils at The Ropemakers' Academy are eligible for free school meals, above the national average of around 24%. This reflects the school's role in a higher-deprivation area of Hailsham.

To check whether your home address falls within the historical catchment boundary, use the postcode search tool on this site.

East Sussex publishes its full admissions policy, including oversubscription criteria, the previous year's last-distance figures, and the appeals timetable, on the council's official admissions page. East Sussex Council school admissions (official) →

The Ropemakers' Academy: School Information

Full address
Reef Way, Hailsham, BN27 1FB
Local authority
East Sussex
School type
Free schools special
Phase of education
Not applicable
Age range
4-16 years
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Free school meals
62.2% of pupils
DfE URN
148035

Other Not applicable Schools in Hailsham

If The Ropemakers' Academy is oversubscribed, these not applicable schools in Hailsham are the next closest alternatives.

Nearest not applicable schools by distance

These are the not applicable schools closest to The Ropemakers' Academy by straight-line distance, including ones across a town or council boundary. Distance is not the same as being in catchment: always check each school's own admissions policy for its actual boundary.

Frequently Asked Questions: The Ropemakers' Academy

What is the catchment area for The Ropemakers' Academy?

The catchment area for The Ropemakers' Academy is the geographic zone East Sussex uses to prioritise admissions when this not applicable school receives more applications than it has places. Children living inside the boundary are ranked higher under the oversubscription criteria, after looked-after children and siblings. East Sussex publishes the exact boundary and the last distance offered before each admissions cycle, and the boundary can change year to year.

Is The Ropemakers' Academy oversubscribed?

Yes, The Ropemakers' Academy currently has 111 pupils enrolled against a capacity of 80 places. Catchment area proximity is an important admissions criterion when applying.

What is the admissions policy for The Ropemakers' Academy?

Admission to The Ropemakers' Academy is managed by East Sussex. When oversubscribed, places go to looked-after children first, then siblings, then catchment area distance. Always verify the current policy with the council before applying.

What age range does The Ropemakers' Academy cover?

The Ropemakers' Academy is a not applicable school in Hailsham, East Sussex, serving pupils aged 4-16. For the latest information, visit the school's website or the DfE Get Information About Schools service.

What is the Ofsted rating for The Ropemakers' Academy?

The Ropemakers' Academy was rated Good by Ofsted in 2023. Full inspection reports are available at reports.ofsted.gov.uk.

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