Westbourne Academy
Ipswich, IP1 5JN · Suffolk · secondary school
Check the area around this school
35th 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 — 3.1/10 against 564 of them, against 2.0/10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 32.7 · 20 | 46% | 0.91 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.38 · 22 | 38% | 0.85 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 38.2 · 13 | 15% | 0.19 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Westbourne Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 33.5% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 39.7, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.38 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 (3.7 out of 10 against similar schools, 2.3 out of 10 against all schools).
Getting in
The published school roll is 989 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,120. 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 close the gap between their current attainment and the national median? What specific interventions are in place to improve progress scores for students starting from similar backgrounds?
What Ofsted said about Westbourne Academy
Overview
The inspection found that the school is failing to provide an acceptable standard of education and requires special measures. While the curriculum is well-structured and most pupils behave well, learning is frequently disrupted by the poor behaviour of a significant minority, leading to inadequate outcomes across all key judgement areas.
Strengths
- The curriculum is "well-structured" and "appropriately designed to build on pupils’ prior learning".
- Many teachers are "skilled in delivering the curriculum effectively", using clear explanations and checks for understanding.
- Most pupils are "polite, friendly and work hard", benefiting from "warm and positive relationships with staff" when behaviour is settled.
- Pupils are taught about "respect and tolerance" through a "well-considered programme" that promotes personal development.
- Extracurricular activities such as Cadets and football help pupils build "confidence, teamwork and leadership skills".
Areas to improve
- Implement a "clear, consistent behaviour policy" to address frequent disruption and ensure staff feel supported.
- Improve systems for identifying and meeting the specific needs of pupils with SEND, ensuring they receive targeted help rather than ineffective separate provision.
- Establish coherent early reading support with close monitoring to help pupils develop fluency and access the wider curriculum.
- Take proactive steps to challenge discriminatory attitudes and derogatory language, promoting a culture of respect and inclusion.
- Develop a strategic approach to improve low attendance rates by identifying and addressing barriers to school engagement.
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 | 41.6 |
| 2024/25 | 39.7 |
| 2025/26 | 38.2 |
| 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
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