Combs Ford Primary School
Stowmarket, IP14 2PN · Suffolk · primary school
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215th 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 — 1.9/10 against 2,559 of them, against 2.0/10 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 | 47.0 · 15 | 62% | 0.92 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 3.0 · 29 | 38% | 1.13 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Combs Ford Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 47.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. 3.0% reached the higher standard, 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 (1.9 out of 10 against similar schools, 2.0 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils join the School Council, Eco Schools, Rights Rangers and Sports Leaders clubs. They learn Bikeability and swimming, take Rocksteady music lessons, and participate in the Choir, Nativity and Production. Trips include church visits, author visits and the Schools Farming Fair.
Getting in
The published school roll is 299 pupils against a stated capacity of 420. 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 literacy? What specific strategies are used to help students progress to the higher standard?
What Ofsted said about Combs Ford Primary School
Overview
Combs Ford Primary School requires improvement in the quality of education, but has strengths in behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and safeguarding. The school has made recent improvements, but these are not yet fully embedded.
Strengths
- Pupils are happy and confident, with staff who listen to them and help them with issues.
- Staff have high expectations for behaviour, with pupils meeting these by following the 'Rainbow Rules'.
- Pupils have opportunities to pursue their interests, with examples including the school council working with a local charity and eco-councillors undertaking litter picks.
- The school has an effective approach to teaching early reading and phonics, with staff well-trained to deliver the school's chosen programme.
- Children in the early years benefit from a well-planned and sequenced curriculum, with staff providing a broad range of activities that cover all areas of learning.
Areas to improve
- Teachers do not routinely correct pupils' simple handwriting or spelling mistakes, leading to gaps in pupils' knowledge and hindering their progress through the writing curriculum.
- The school has made many recent improvements to several subjects, but these are yet to be fully embedded, with inconsistencies in teaching delivery leading to gaps in pupils' knowledge and struggles to build upon prior learning.
- The trust, governors, and school leaders must ensure that the development of the curriculum is robust, driving effective school improvement strategies to help raise pupil outcomes.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 53% |
| 2023/24 | 48% |
| 2024/25 | 47% |
| 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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