Is Bury St Edmunds County High School a good school?

Ofsted inspected the school on 19 May 2026 under its report-card framework and graded five areas at Expected standard and one at Strong standard. Safeguarding was judged Met. On the FindGreatSchools composite score it is graded C, 14th of 43 secondary schools in Suffolk. The profile sets out the figures behind both.

What are Bury St Edmunds County High School's GCSE results?

In the 2026 GCSEs, pupils at Bury St Edmunds County High School averaged an Attainment 8 score of 44.8 (England: 46.2). 44.3% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths.

How do I apply for a place at Bury St Edmunds County High School?

Applications for Year 7 places at Bury St Edmunds County High School starting in September 2027 close on 31 October 2026. You apply through the council where you live, even for a school in another area, and offers are made on National Offer Day, 1 March 2027 (or the next working day).

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Bury St Edmunds County High School

Beetons Way, Bury St Edmunds, IP32 6RF

Local ranking14th of 43 secondary schools in Suffolk

Ofsted: ExpectedUpdated

Secondary

Phase

1020

Capacity

11-16

Age range

Mixed

Gender

Latest data: 2026 GCSEs · 2024 A-levels · Ofsted inspection 19 May 2026. Figures last updated 15 October 2026.

Ofsted Report Card

Inspected 19 May 2026 under Ofsted's renewed framework

View on Ofsted

Safeguarding standards Met

Achievement: Expected standard
Curriculum & teaching: Expected standard
Attendance & behaviour: Expected standard
Personal development & wellbeing: Strong standard
Leadership & governance: Expected standard
Inclusion: Expected standard

Scale: Exceptional · Strong · Expected · Needs attention · Urgent improvement

Year:

GCSE Results

2025-26

Average Attainment 8: 44.8 nat46.2
Grade 5+ Eng & Maths: 44.3% nat46.3%
Grade 4+ Eng & Maths: 62.2% nat64.8%
Cohort Size: 185

Destinations

After GCSE 2024-25

Sustained education/employment: 97.0%
Continued in education: 93.0%
Apprenticeships: 3.0%
Employment: 1.0%
Not sustained: 1.0%

After A-Levels 2023-24

Sustained education/employment: 88.0%
Higher education: 50.0%
Apprenticeships: 4.0%
Employment: 28.0%
Not sustained: 6.0%

A-Level Results

2023-24

*Data not available for 2025-26 — showing latest available results

Avg A-Level Grade

41.1

Avg Points/Entry

nat 34.4

41.2

Best 3 A-Levels

nat 35.1

A-Level Students

AAB+ with Facilitating: 17.6% nat17.1%
16-18 Cohort: 17

Pupil Demographics

2024-25

Total Pupils: 739
Boys: 330 (50%)
Girls: 327 (50%)
Capacity: 1020 (64% full)
SEND: 18.3%
FSM Eligible: 24.6%
EAL: 10.0%
SEN with EHC Plan: 2.2%
SEN Support: 16.1%
Pupil:Teacher Ratio: 20.4:1
Teachers (FTE): 36.3
Budget per Pupil: £7,972/yr

Attendance & Absence

2024-25

*Data not available for 2025-26 — showing latest available results

Overall Absence Rate: 9.5% nat6.2%
Persistent Absence: 27.2% nat15.8%

Persistent absence: pupils missing 10%+ of sessions.

School Information

Type: Academy converter
Phase: Secondary
Religious Character: Does not apply
Nursery: Not applicable
Sixth Form: Does not have a sixth form
Boarders: No boarders
Admissions: Non-selective

Pupil Ethnicity

2024-25

White British: 82.2%
White Other: 6.7%
Black African: 3.1%
Mixed Other: 2.5%
Mixed White & Asian: 1.5%
Other: 1.0%
Mixed White & Black African: 0.8%
Asian Indian: 0.8%

82.2%

White British

6.7%

White Other

3.1%

Black African

Historical Trends

GCSE Performance

Pupil Demographics

Attendance & Absence

Contact & Location

01284754857

skennedy@countyhigh.uk

Visit website

Beetons Way

Bury St Edmunds, East of England

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Administrative

URN: 136990
UKPRN: 10034608
Establishment No.: 4000
Trust: UNITY SCHOOLS PARTNERSHIP

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