Ilketshall St Lawrence School
Beccles, NR34 8ND · Suffolk · primary school
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113rd 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.
Narrow the comparison to the 3,905 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 1.3/10 among them, against 2.2/10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expected standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 56.0 · 30 | 40% | 1.18 |
| Ofsted | 91 | 35% | 3.19 |
| 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.
Ilketshall St Lawrence School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 56.0% 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%. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 1.3 out of 10 among them, against 2.2 out of 10 nationally. The March 2026 Ofsted inspection used the new report-card framework, which grades areas separately without an overall grade.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils join gardening, art, comic, choir, EarthWake, and HAF clubs, alongside multi-sports, tennis, and cheerleading groups. Rock Steady provides music opportunities. Trips include visits to Hilltop, Hautbois, Sandringham, West Stow, London, and a pantomine in Lowestoft. An after-school club is available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 99 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 to reach the higher standard in core subjects? How does the new Ofsted framework affect day-to-day teaching priorities?
What Ofsted said about Ilketshall St Lawrence School
Overview
Ilketshall St Lawrence School is a small primary school where leaders have established a culture of high expectations and care. The report highlights that pupils are happy, well-supported, and make secure progress, with particularly strong outcomes in attendance, behaviour, and inclusion. While most aspects of the school meet a strong standard, there are specific areas within the curriculum and teaching practice that require refinement to ensure consistency.
Strengths
- Attendance is high, with persistent absence "significantly lower than the national averages," and pupils "enjoy coming to school."
- Inclusion is central to the ethos; staff "skilfully identify needs" and ensure all pupils, including those with special educational needs, "take a full part in school life."
- Early years provision is effective, with children making "steady progress" and being "well prepared for year 1" through high-quality care and reading focus.
- Staff and leaders foster a positive environment where pupils feel safe, with bullying described as "extremely rare."
- Governance is robust, with governors who are "visible, informed" and hold leaders to account with "clarity and purpose."
Areas to improve
- Leaders should ensure staff support pupils to develop handwriting and spelling skills across all subjects, as these are not always applied well outside English and mathematics.
- Leaders should strengthen consistency in teaching approaches in some subjects so that expectations for written work are applied uniformly.
Safeguarding
The safeguarding standards are met, with leaders establishing "an open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility" and concerns actively managed.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 41% |
| 2023/24 | 77% |
| 2024/25 | 56% |
| 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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