Barnby and North Cove Community Primary School
Beccles, NR34 7QB · Suffolk · primary school
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225th of 232 primary schools in Suffolk we can score, 253 in total — the rest without enough published data. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — 0.4/10 against 2,388 of them, against 0.7/10 nationally. So this is not simply a reflection of who attends. Both figures are results only, without the inspection grade. A lower figure here means a stronger comparison group, not a weaker school.
How this is worked out
| Measure | Percentile | Weight | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expected standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 33.0 · 4 | 40% | 0.17 |
| Ofsted | 10 | 35% | 0.34 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 0.0 · 10 | 25% | 0.26 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Barnby and North Cove Community Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 33.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. The higher standard was reached by 0.0% of pupils, against a national median of 7%. Its results are much the same when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds, so the gap is not explained by intake (0.4 out of 10 against similar schools, 0.7 out of 10 against all schools). The school was inspected in May 2026 under the new report-card framework, which grades each area separately and gives no overall grade.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join the Homework Club, Yoga, and Young Explorers. The school also provides a breakfast club and an after-school club.
Getting in
The published school roll is 91 pupils against a stated capacity of 105. These whole-school figures do not establish entry-year vacancies or the likelihood of an offer. Confirm entry-year availability and admissions criteria with the school or local authority.
Worth asking on a visit
How does the school support pupils who are below the expected standard in maths? What specific steps are taken to raise attainment in writing? How does the new inspection framework affect current teaching priorities?
What Ofsted said about Barnby and North Cove Community Primary School
Overview
The report describes a small school where leaders have established a "clear and ambitious vision" for "growing successful futures for all pupils." Inspectors found that the school is fulfilling the "expected standard" across all key areas, with a "positive and caring ethos" that ensures pupils feel "valued and cared for."
Strengths
- Leaders have created "calm, purposeful and inclusive environments" where pupils demonstrate "positive attitudes to learning" and behave well.
- The curriculum is "broad and balanced," helping pupils build "secure foundations in key knowledge and skills," with effective support for those with special educational needs.
- Attendance has improved to match "national expectations" through "robust systems" that track absence and reduce barriers for vulnerable pupils.
- Staff provide "highly effective support" for pupils managing emotions, and the specially resourced provision, The Broads, fosters an "inclusive culture."
- Parents value the support their children receive, with one noting, "Every child is truly included."
Areas to improve
- Teachers should increase opportunities for pupils to "write consistently well across a range of subjects" and deepen "subject‑specific knowledge and vocabulary."
- Leaders should ensure teachers "refine their checking of what pupils have learned" so that gaps in knowledge are "identified and addressed swiftly."
Safeguarding
The safeguarding standards are met, with an "open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility" ensuring pupils are "made safer and feel safe."
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 57% |
| 2023/24 | 42% |
| 2024/25 | 33% |
| England | 64% |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 14,326 state schools in England we hold a 2024/25 figure for — a school-level median, not the DfE's pupil-weighted national figure.
Your offer chance
—Based on official applications/offers, distance and catchment where we have it. Bands only — never a percentage.
Sibling, faith, looked-after and other criteria can override distance. Always confirm with the school or local authority.
Next dates
- Primary (Reception) application deadline15 Jan 2027
- Primary National Offer Day16 Apr 2027
- Primary (Reception) application deadline15 Jan 2028
- Primary National Offer Day17 Apr 2028
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