Ipswich Academy
Ipswich, IP3 0SP · Suffolk · secondary school
Check the area around this school
38th 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 — 3.0/10 against 494 of them, against 1.8/10 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 | 5 | 35% | 0.19 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 33.3 · 21 | 30% | 0.63 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.54 · 14 | 25% | 0.35 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 40.3 · 21 | 10% | 0.21 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Ipswich Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 29.5% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 37.6, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.54 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did worse than those nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (2.4 out of 10 against similar schools, 1.5 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Requires improvement in July 2024.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join the Crochet, EAL, Brass, Woodwind, Dance, STEM Research and Debate, Games, and Chaplaincy Chat clubs. Sports include Basketball, Boys Football, and D of E Sessions. Arts and music options are the Band Club and Art Club. An after-school club is available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 981 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,230. 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 improve their Progress 8 scores? What specific actions are being taken to address the Requires improvement rating?
What Ofsted said about Ipswich Academy
Overview
The report states that the school’s overall effectiveness is ‘Requires improvement’, reflecting inconsistencies in teaching quality and behaviour. While pupils feel ‘happy and safe’ and benefit from strong personal development opportunities, gaps in knowledge and inconsistent staff practices hinder achievement.
Strengths
- Pupils ‘trust adults to listen to, follow up, and help resolve, any worries they have’, fostering a supportive environment.
- Personal development is ‘Good’, supported by a ‘rich range of personal development opportunities’ including the ‘hinterland project’ and extensive PSHE.
- Leaders have implemented an ‘effective programme of support for those at the earliest stages of reading’, helping pupils learn to read confidently.
- Attendance has been on a ‘path of improvement’, with leaders taking ‘prompt and appropriate action’ to address barriers.
Areas to improve
- The school must ensure the curriculum is taught ‘consistently well’, particularly when temporary teaching arrangements are in place, to address knowledge gaps.
- Staff must use agreed strategies to support pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) ‘consistently well’, as current usage is inconsistent.
- Leaders must ensure all staff implement the behaviour policy effectively to reduce the use of ‘unkind language’ and prevent pupils from missing learning.
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 | 35.7 |
| 2024/25 | 37.6 |
| 2025/26 | 40.3 |
| 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
Saved schools live on this device only — no account, no tracking. Visit the school's website
Loading full school details…
Similar schools nearby
Same area, prioritising the same phase — useful for shortlisting alternatives.
Every school within 2.5 miles of IP3 0SP, with results, demand and deadlines — area report →
Have a specific question about admissions, scores or dates?
Ask SchoolsGPT