Whatfield Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School
Ipswich, IP7 6QU · Suffolk · primary school
Check the area around this school
202nd 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 — 0.3/10 against 2,414 of them, against 0.7/10 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) 2023/24 | 33.0 · 4 | 40% | 0.17 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2023/24 | 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.
Whatfield Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2023/24, 33.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared with the national median of 63%. The higher standard was reached by 0.0%, against a national median of 6%. Its results are much the same when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds, so the gap is not explained by intake (0.3 out of 10 against similar schools, 0.7 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Good in October 2023.
Getting in
The published school roll is 44 pupils against a stated capacity of 56. 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 are below the expected standard in literacy? What specific interventions are in place for the 2023/24 cohort? How does the school plan to raise attainment towards the national median?
What Ofsted said about Whatfield Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School
Overview
The report describes the school as a “calm and caring place” where pupils are happy and friendships blossom. Inspectors found that pupils learn an “interesting curriculum from skilled teachers” and that staff help them to feel “appreciated and unique.” The school is judged as “Good” across all inspection categories, including overall effectiveness, the quality of education, and leadership.
Strengths
- The curriculum is set out in a “logical order,” with teachers regularly checking pupils’ understanding.
- Reading is a high priority; “every adult is an expert in teaching reading,” and the “vast majority of pupils quickly learn to read.”
- Staff provide strong support for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), working closely with parents and securing extra expert support.
- Behaviour is excellent; pupils are “polite and respectful” and have learned strategies to “keep calm.”
- Early years provision offers a supportive environment that prioritises interaction, stories, and songs to develop language skills.
Areas to improve
- In a small number of subjects such as art, curriculum implementation is “sometimes inconsistent,” meaning pupils occasionally do not learn new concepts in enough depth.
- Opportunities to rehearse key content and skills, such as handwriting, are not well developed in some subjects, affecting pupils’ retention of key knowledge in areas like history.
Safeguarding
The report states that “the arrangements for safeguarding are effective.”
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 14% |
| 2023/24 | 33% |
| England | 63% |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 14,190 state schools in England we hold a 2023/24 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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