Kelsale Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School
Saxmundham, IP17 2NP · Suffolk · primary school
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47th 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 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still — 7.0/10 against 3,615 of them, against 6.5/10 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 | 78.0 · 84 | 40% | 3.36 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 4.0 · 35 | 25% | 0.88 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Kelsale Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 78.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. For the higher standard, the figure was 4.0% against a national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school Good in November 2022. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (7.0 out of 10 against similar schools, 6.5 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join Lego, Gardening, Cookery, Diamond Art and French clubs. Sports include Swimming, The Daily Mile and Junior Parkrun, while arts and music offer Violin Lesson, Recorder and Choir. An after-school club is available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 166 pupils against a stated capacity of 166. 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 do not reach the higher standard in maths? What specific support is available for children joining the after-school club? How does the school maintain its Good rating following the 2022 inspection?
What Ofsted said about Kelsale Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School
Overview
Kelsale Church of England Voluntary-Controlled Primary School continues to be a good school, described as a “warm and welcoming place” where pupils “flourish.” The report highlights a strong school culture rooted in the vision that “together, we believe, we learn, laugh and shine,” with pupils meeting high expectations for learning and behaviour.
Strengths
- The curriculum is “ambitious and logically sequenced,” with specific knowledge set out clearly to build from Reception to Year 6.
- Pupils become “confident, fluent readers” through a consistent phonics approach, with books well matched to the sounds they know.
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities receive “effective support” and access a curriculum suited to their needs.
- Pupils are “kind, well behaved and respectful,” fostering a “highly inclusive” environment where bullying is rare.
- Staff build “positive, trusting relationships” with pupils, who feel safe because staff listen to them and resolve issues firmly.
Areas to improve
- Leaders should arrange training to help subject leaders understand how to monitor curriculum implementation in the early years, as some currently lack the knowledge to identify potential issues.
- Leaders should improve teachers’ use of assessment in a few subjects so that gaps in pupils’ knowledge are consistently identified and addressed.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with staff reporting concerns immediately and leaders working well with other agencies to keep pupils safe.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 74% |
| 2023/24 | 60% |
| 2024/25 | 78% |
| 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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