The school was founded in 1859 as a national church school. Originally on De la Warr Road, where Chequer Mead lies today, in 1951 the school was renamed Sackville and in 1964, it was moved to its current location on Lewes Road. 1970 saw the school's first comprehensive intake, following the rapidly growing local housing estate building developments. In 2004, Sackville's name was changed back from Sackville Community College to Sackville School. The school's emblem is the red rose of the Duchy of Lancaster of which East Grinstead was once a part.[4]
The headteacher is Jo Meloni. There are seven year groups including a Sixth Form for years twelve and thirteen.
As of 2024[update], the school's last inspection by Ofsted was in 2019, a short inspection which confirmed the 2015 judgement of Good.[5]
2023 launched the beginning of a new pastoral system within the school with the introduction of the Communities System (Houses) there are 5 Communities:
Attenborough, after Sir David Attenborough.
Angelou, after Maya Angelou.
Holmes, after Dame Kelly Holmes.
Turing, after Alan Turing.
Yousafzai, after Malala Yousafzai.
Each of these individuals have represented values of the SWAY (Sackville Way) which is a key part of the schools culture.