Ratton School Academy Trust

04/09/2026

TERM 1 NEWS: WELCOME TO OUR NEW YEAR 7s & WELCOME BACK TEAM RATTON!

This morning we were delighted to officially welcome our newest learners to as they began their journey.

From the moment they arrived, there was a real sense of excitement and anticipation in the air. Looking smart, smiling and ready for the challenges and opportunities ahead, our Year 7 students made a fantastic first impression.👨‍🎓👩‍🎓👏

Before the school day began, many of our new students and their families joined us for our annual Family Breakfast. With many of our new students and their families in attendance, the atmosphere was as warm and welcoming as ever, with plenty of smiles, conversations and, of course, croissants!🥐🧃

📢Miss Banks, Senior Assistant Headteacher, said:

"It was wonderful to see so many students and families joining us this morning as we welcomed our newest members of the Ratton community. There was such a positive atmosphere, and our Year 7 students arrived full of enthusiasm, confidence and excitement for the year ahead.

Starting secondary school is a significant milestone, and we are incredibly proud of how well they embraced their first morning with us. We are looking forward to seeing them grow, achieve and flourish as part of ."

📢One Year 7 student said:
"I was nervous before I arrived, but it's been nice to come and have breakfast with my mum and dad, and some of my old school friends before the day starts. Now, I'm excited to meet new people and try new subjects."

📢A Year 7 parent added:
"The Family Breakfast was such a lovely way to start the day. The staff were welcoming, organised and reassuring, and it made a big difference for both students and parents. My child came into school feeling excited and confident."

What a fantastic start to the school year!🤩👏🙌

On Monday, our new Year 7 students will be joined by Years 8, 9 and 10, while our students have already made us proud with their mature and positive start to their final year at Ratton.

A huge thank you goes to Mr Potten, Year Leader and his Year 7 team, teachers and support staff who helped make this morning such a success. Special thanks also go to our brilliant and Year 11 Student Leaders, who were on hand throughout the morning to offer support, answer questions and provide friendly faces for our newest students. They are excellent ambassadors for our school community.🤩🙌

👀 WATCH THIS SPACE for more updates throughout the term as our newest students settle into life here at Ratton.

📅 We're also looking forward to our annual Ratton School Open Event later this month. For more information & to book, visit our school website : www.ratton.co.uk

⭐ COMING SOON: Our brand-new "Starting Ratton School" for Year 7 students and families, packed with insight and information about life at Ratton as our newest learners settle into secondary school.

04/09/2026

Put these dates in your diary - Ratton School Academy Trust

Join us at our annual Open Evening and Open Morning Tours to explore the school, meet our staff and students, and experience life at Ratton first-hand.

Ratton was recently recognised by Ofsted (May 2026) as a school where students are supported to become confident, creative and caring individuals through ambitious learning, strong relationships and a wide range of opportunities.

Click here https://ratton.co.uk

Bournefree Magazine Eastbourne Unltd Chamber of Commerce Ratton School Academy Trust Ocklynge Junior School

03/09/2026

WELCOME TO OUR NEW YEAR 7 STUDENTS! 🤩 Tomorrow's the day!🙌

We can't wait to welcome our new Year 7 students to as they take the first steps on their secondary school journey.👩‍🎓🧑‍🎓

We know tonight may bring a mixture of excitement, anticipation and perhaps a few butterflies too, for students and parents/carers alike. Rest assured, our staff and students are ready to make every new member of our community feel welcome from the moment they arrive.

A special thank you goes to our incredible Transition Buddies. Over the last couple of terms of last school year, our students worked hard throughout their training, supported a range of transition events, helped at Summer School over the school holidays, and will be on hand again tomorrow to support our newest students as they begin their Ratton journey.👏

This time last year, many of them were in exactly the same position, walking through our gates as new Year 7 students themselves. Now, having successfully completed their first year at Ratton and preparing for Year 8, they have come full circle and are helping the next generation of students settle into school life.

They truly embody our values and what it means to be part of .

As we begin another exciting year, we look forward to seeing our new students grow in confidence, build lasting friendships and continue to through effort, ambition and resilience.

We also can't wait to welcome back all of our students from Monday for another busy, positive and successful year ahead. See you soon ! 🤩 🙌

👀 WATCH THIS SPACE for our Summer School post this week, and our 'Welcome to Ratton School Blog' - coming later this term!

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03/09/2026

TERM 1 NEWS: FEATURED IN BOURNEFREE MAGAZINE – SEPTEMBER EDITION!

is in the spotlight! We're delighted to be featured in the September edition of Bournefree Magazine — free and widely available in local supermarkets and community venues right across Eastbourne. It's a warm, honest read, and this month our feature celebrates our confident, creative and caring school community, and we're genuinely proud to share it with local families this month.

The feature also shines a light on our upcoming Open Event, aimed at families considering secondary school places for September 2027. Whether you're just starting to explore your options or already have Ratton on your shortlist, this is your chance to see us up close. The evening includes an Open Event Information Evening, where you'll hear directly from our senior leaders, teachers and current students about everyday life at Ratton — lessons, clubs, friendships and the values that shape our community.👏

There are also bookable morning tours, giving prospective families a genuine feel for our classrooms, facilities and school spirit in action, guided by students who know the school best. Spaces for both are limited, so we'd encourage families to book early.🙌

📌Visit our website for full Open Event details and booking information: www.ratton.co.uk

As part of South Downs Learning Trust, we're also proud to work alongside a growing network of local organisations and businesses through our valued partnerships.
These partnerships help enrich opportunities for our students, strengthen our connection to the local community and support our shared ambition of preparing young people for success both inside and outside the classroom.

📌To find out more about our Community Champions and the wider work of South Downs Learning Trust, visit: https://sdlt.org.uk/

👀 WATCH THIS SPACE for more partnership news, community collaborations and student opportunities across throughout the new school year as we continue to .

25/08/2026

TESTIMONIAL TUESDAY NEWS - AT SDLT!

At , we are always grateful to receive feedback from parents/carers, visitors and our wider community.👏

Every testimonial helps us celebrate the dedication of our staff, the achievements of our learners, and the positive experiences shared across our family of schools Ocklynge Junior School and Ratton School Academy Trust.

As part of our extensive transition programme across the trust, it is always wonderful to read and hear from our prospective families and what they think of their child's new school. Transition can be a worrying time for both parents/carers and learners, but we hope these testimonials offer some reassurance. We can't wait to welcome our new learners across the trust this September!

Thank you to everyone who takes the time to share their experiences. Your feedback supports our commitment to continuous improvement as we work together to . 🤝

Take a look at this Tuesday's testimonial highlights and WATCH THIS SPACE for more posts!

📌FOR MORE INFORMATION about our trust and family of schools, click here - https://sdlt.org.uk/

25/08/2026

Ratton School Celebrates Year 11 GCSE Success!

20/08/2026

📢STOP, PRESS - SEE ARTICLE BELOW❗ 🗞️📰

Thank you Eastbourne Herald and Gazette and SussexWorld for the tag! 📌ARTICLE LINK HERE 🗞️📰: https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/your-world/ratton-school-celebrates-year-11-gcse-success-8931485

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Ratton School Celebrates Year 11 GCSE Success!

20/08/2026

TESTIMONIAL THURSDAY NEWS - AT SDLT!

At , we are always grateful to receive feedback from parents/carers, visitors and our wider community.👏

Every testimonial helps us celebrate the dedication of our staff, the achievements of our learners, and the positive experiences shared across our family of schools Ocklynge Junior School and Ratton School Academy Trust.

As part of our extensive transition programme across the trust, it is always wonderful to read and hear from our prospective families and what they think of their child's new school. Transition can be a worrying time for both parents/carers and learners, but we hope these testimonials offer some reassurance. We can't wait to welcome our new learners across the trust this September!

Thank you to everyone who takes the time to share their experiences. Your feedback supports our commitment to continuous improvement as we work together to . 🤝

Take a look at this Thursday's testimonial highlights and WATCH THIS SPACE for more posts!

📌FOR MORE INFORMATION about our trust and family of schools, click here - https://sdlt.org.uk/