Is Thomas Gainsborough School a good school?

Ofsted inspected the school on 19 November 2024 and graded each area separately, with quality of education judged Good. On the FindGreatSchools composite score it is graded C, 2nd of 43 secondary schools in Suffolk. The profile sets out the figures behind both.

What are Thomas Gainsborough School's GCSE results?

In the 2026 GCSEs, pupils at Thomas Gainsborough School averaged an Attainment 8 score of 46.7 (England: 46.2). 43.7% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths.

How do I apply for a place at Thomas Gainsborough School?

Applications for Year 7 places at Thomas Gainsborough School starting in September 2028 close on 31 October 2027. 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 2028 (or the next working day).

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Thomas Gainsborough School

Wells Hall Road, Great Cornard, Sudbury, CO10 0NH

Local ranking2nd of 43 secondary schools in Suffolk

Ofsted: StrongUpdated

Secondary

Phase

1400

Capacity

11-18

Age range

Mixed

Gender

Latest data: 2026 GCSEs · 2025 A-levels · Ofsted inspection 19 November 2024. Figures last updated 15 October 2026.

Ofsted Inspection

Inspected 19 November 2024 — from September 2024 Ofsted no longer gave an overall grade, but each area below was judged in full

View on Ofsted

Safeguarding standards Met

Quality of education: Good
Behaviour & attitudes: Outstanding
Personal development: Outstanding
Leadership & management: Good
Sixth form provision: Outstanding

Scale: Outstanding · Good · Requires improvement · Inadequate

Year:

GCSE Results

2025-26

Average Attainment 8: 46.7 nat46.2
Grade 5+ Eng & Maths: 43.7% nat46.3%
Grade 4+ Eng & Maths: 66.4% nat64.8%
Cohort Size: 277

Destinations

After GCSE 2024-25

Sustained education/employment: 96.0%
Continued in education: 92.0%
Employment: 3.0%
Not sustained: 3.0%

After A-Levels 2024-25

Sustained education/employment: 84.0%
Higher education: 45.0%
Apprenticeships: 11.0%
Employment: 25.0%
Not sustained: 13.0%

A-Level Results

2024-25

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

B-

Avg A-Level Grade

36.1

Avg Points/Entry

nat 35.0

38.2

Best 3 A-Levels

nat 35.8

116

A-Level Students

AAB+ with Facilitating: 13.8% nat17.5%
Applied General Avg Points: 33.2
16-18 Cohort: 241

Pupil Demographics

2024-25

Total Pupils: 1615
Boys: 775 (48%)
Girls: 828 (52%)
Capacity: 1400 (115% full)
SEND: 16.9%
FSM Eligible: 20.1%
EAL: 4.1%
SEN with EHC Plan: 3.0%
SEN Support: 13.9%
Pupil:Teacher Ratio: 20.6:1
Teachers (FTE): 78.4
Budget per Pupil: £6,708/yr

Attendance & Absence

2024-25

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

Overall Absence Rate: 8.3% nat6.2%
Persistent Absence: 21.5% nat15.8%

Persistent absence: pupils missing 10%+ of sessions.

School Information

Type: Academy converter
Phase: Secondary
Nursery: No Nursery Classes
Sixth Form: Has a sixth form
Boarders: No boarders
Admissions: Non-selective

Pupil Ethnicity

2024-25

White British: 88.7%
White Other: 4.5%
Mixed Other: 1.9%
Mixed White & Black Caribbean: 1.1%
Mixed White & Asian: 1.0%
Mixed White & Black African: 0.8%
Black African: 0.5%
Other: 0.5%

88.7%

White British

4.5%

White Other

1.9%

Mixed Other

Historical Trends

GCSE Performance

Pupil Demographics

Attendance & Absence

Contact & Location

01787375232

hyapp@tgschool.net

Visit website

Wells Hall Road

Sudbury, East of England

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Administrative

URN: 141639
UKPRN: 10048343
Establishment No.: 4019
Trust: UNITY SCHOOLS PARTNERSHIP

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