Thurlow Voluntary Controlled Primary School
Haverhill, CB9 7HY · Suffolk · primary school
Check the area around this school
45th 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 — 6.8/10 against 4,247 of them, against 6.9/10 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 | 73.0 · 73 | 40% | 2.93 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 9.0 · 61 | 25% | 1.53 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Thurlow Voluntary Controlled Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 73.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. The higher standard was reached by 9.0% of pupils, against a national median of 7%. Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds, so they are not simply a reflection of who attends (6.8 out of 10 against similar schools, 6.9 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Good in May 2023.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join a Multi-Sports Club, participate in gymnastics and oversized games, and take string instrument lessons. The school provides both a breakfast club and an after-school club.
Getting in
The published school roll is 77 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 who do not reach the expected standard in maths? What specific activities are included in the Multi-Sports Club? How does the school manage the transition for children moving from the breakfast club into the main school day?
What Ofsted said about Thurlow Voluntary Controlled Primary School
Overview
Pupils are described as proud to attend the school, where they “learn well and enjoy their learning.” The report highlights a “well-thought-through curriculum” and strong staff subject knowledge, noting that pupils feel safe and are kind to one another. Overall, the school is judged to be providing a good quality of education with effective leadership.
Strengths
- The curriculum is carefully designed with learning broken into “small stages that build into more complex learning over time.”
- Pupils benefit from “extensive outdoor and woodland spaces” which help widen their understanding of nature.
- Staff have “strong subject knowledge” and typically identify when pupils need extra help or additional practice.
- Children in the early years receive skilled support for language development and are encouraged to “concentrate and play together kindly.”
- Safeguarding arrangements are effective, with staff receiving regular training and concerns being “followed up swiftly.”
Areas to improve
- Leaders must ensure reading interventions are “precisely matched to the gaps in pupils’ reading knowledge” so struggling pupils catch up more quickly.
- Newer subject leaders need to establish monitoring systems to understand “how well pupils are achieving” in their specific areas.
- Staff must improve their use of formative assessment in certain subjects to ensure pupils’ “knowledge and understanding” are secure across the entire curriculum.
Safeguarding
The report states that “the arrangements for safeguarding are effective,” with staff trained to identify risks and concerns recorded and followed up swiftly.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 67% |
| 2024/25 | 73% |
| 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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