Chantry Academy
Ipswich, IP2 9LR · Suffolk · secondary school
Check the area around this school
32nd of 43 secondary schools in Suffolk we can score. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still — 3.1/10 against 564 of them, against 2.0/10 nationally. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.84 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 35.8 · 27 | 30% | 0.80 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.51 · 15 | 25% | 0.39 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 36.7 · 8 | 10% | 0.08 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Chantry Academy overview
How it's doing
The school was rated Good by Ofsted in June 2024. In 2024/25, 26.1% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 33.9, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.51 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did worse than nationally similar peers. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (1.7 out of 10 against similar schools, 1.2 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join the debate club.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,006 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,020. 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 to close the gap between their current attainment and the national median? What specific strategies are used to improve Progress 8 scores for students from similar backgrounds? How does the debate club integrate with the wider curriculum to develop critical thinking skills?
What Ofsted said about Chantry Academy
Overview
Chantry Academy is described as a "welcoming and friendly place" with an "inclusive ethos" where pupils "learn well." The report highlights a "thoughtfully planned and ambitious curriculum" and notes that attendance has improved greatly, now sitting "close to national average."
Strengths
- The curriculum is "adapted well to meet the needs of pupils with SEND," with teachers setting out concepts clearly and using assessment effectively.
- Reading is a clear priority, with teachers trained to help pupils become "confident and fluent readers" through a "rich selection of texts."
- Pupils benefit from an "exciting extra-curricular offer," including clubs, visits, and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, fostering personal development.
- Staff are "well supported by leaders," and there is a strong culture of sharing "good practice and their strong subject knowledge."
- Safeguarding arrangements are "effective," and the school deals well with bullying concerns that are reported.
Areas to improve
- The school must continue to improve the attendance of pupils who "do not attend regularly enough," as they miss learning time and achieve less well.
- Leaders should ensure they "communicate clearly to pupils and parents how they resolve bullying concerns," as some pupils currently choose not to report issues due to perceived delays.
Safeguarding
The report states that "the arrangements for safeguarding are effective."
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 35.5 |
| 2024/25 | 33.9 |
| 2025/26 | 36.7 |
| England | 44.9 |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 3,682 state schools in England we hold a 2025/26 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
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2026
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2027
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2027
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2028
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