An article in The Sunday Times last week analysed five years of data drawn from parent surveys of all schools nationally to find some of the happiest schools. Heathfield Community College was named joint second in East Sussex on this measure, equal second with Chailey School and just 1% behind St Richards Catholic College in Bexhill.
The Sunday Times looked at Parent View analysis between 2020 and 2025, including schools with at least 500 places and with surveys completed by at least 100 parents in a single year (1,934 state secondary schools in England and Wales out of the total of over 4,000). On that basis Heathfield Community College sits within the top 7% in the country for the happiness score.
This reflects the Parent View survey taken in 2023, and it is consistent with the outcomes of the surveys that we undertake with all parents every year.
“So impressed; the perfect recipe of wonderful students, quality people, an amazing philosophy – helping them to dream big and exceed their own expectations; to have high personal values, to be good and rounded people” (parent survey comment, 2024)
Student voice is also an important part of our ongoing self-evaluation, their feedback also tells us happiness and wellbeing are an important area of our work and one they recognise.
“You feel like you belong somewhere…I’m proud of the kindness the school spreads around us” (student survey comment, 2024).
Students tell us they value a great deal about their college such as the quality of teaching, their friendships, the resources and the opportunities they are given but they also consistently comment on the close, friendly environment.
“There’s always someone there to make sure you feel ok; we have made school a safe environment for everyone.” (student survey comment, 2024)
The Sunday Times article profiled schools’ approaches to wellbeing, enrichment and support for ambitious destinations and extra-curricular opportunities. This reflects a belief that whilst exam outcomes are important for young people to progress to the best of their ability it is also the ability to feel confident and thrive that ensures long lasting success and happiness.
These aspects of wellbeing are important to us and we work hard on them all year round, acknowledging when it doesn’t work for some and seeking to adapt to meet individual needs where possible. The next edition of Headlines will provide a reminder of the free resource available through the WellBeing Hub and where students and parents can find mental health support and guidance as we approach the exam season.
We are not complacent, we appreciate there is always more we can do. As the world becomes ever more complex and challenging, the ongoing and constructive partnership with parents is a vital part of that work which we value and respect. We will continue to seek feedback and work to be as creative as possible to provide the best learning environment for the young people of Heathfield.
