Ofsted: Good trending_up Places Available emoji_events #22 in Suffolk public Top 28% UK

Samuel Ward Academy

verifiedData: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

personMr Andrew Hunter

corporate_fareUNITY SCHOOLS PARTNERSHIP

location_onHaverhill, CB9 0LD

language Visit Website phone 1440761511

verified

Ofsted

Good

Inspected 2022

groups

Students

1,219

trending_up

Attainment 8

43.8

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GCSE Rank

#22 in Suffolk

#1,965 of 3,216 nationally

summarize

Samuel Ward Academy is a Academy converter secondary school in Haverhill, serving ages 11-18. Rated Good by Ofsted.

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School Summary

Samuel Ward Academy is an academy converter in Haverhill, Suffolk, admitting pupils aged 11-18. It has a sixth form offering post-16 education. It is part of UNITY SCHOOLS PARTNERSHIP. The school has approximately 1,152 pupils on roll, of whom 19% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2025, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 43.8, placing the school #22 in Suffolk and #1,965 of 3,216 nationally. 42.10% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths. 14.3% of all GCSE entries were graded 9–7.

The sixth form offers 16 A-level subjects. 17.9% of A-level entries were graded A*–B, with 5.1% at A*–A. A-level value added: -0.61 — students made below-average progress at sixth form.

Ofsted last inspected the school in 2022. The school's current overall rating is Good. Inspectors assessed quality of education as Good, behaviour and attitudes Good, personal development Good, and leadership and management Good.

In the most recent admissions cycle, applications were at 0.9× capacity.

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 20.5:1. There are no current teaching vacancies.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there were 2 permanent exclusions. The average suspension rate was 10.9 per 1,000 pupils per term.

verified Source: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

Academic Performance

verified Data: UK Gov 2024/25

analytics

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

2025

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

43.8

Grade 5+ E&M

42.10%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)14.3%

Entering EBacc20.50%

EBacc APS3.76

2024

Progress 8 Score

-0.23

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

43.2

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc19.70%

EBacc APS3.69

2023

Progress 8 Score

-0.23

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

44.6

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc15%

EBacc APS3.81

2022

Progress 8 Score

-0.02

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

49.2

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc35%

EBacc APS4.37

2021

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc43%

EBacc APS-

2019

Progress 8 Score

-0.31

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

43.7

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc78%

EBacc APS4.1

2018

Progress 8 Score

-0.14

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

45.4

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc58%

EBacc APS4.09

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Student Destinations (After Secondary)

This module shows what students did after finishing Key Stage 4 (GCSEs). It reflects how well the school prepares pupils for the real world.

2025

Stayed in Education / Employment

95%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)89%

Apprenticeships4%

Employment2%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)4%

2024

Stayed in Education / Employment

94%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)90%

Apprenticeships3%

Employment2%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)5%

2023

Stayed in Education / Employment

92%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)87%

Apprenticeships2%

Employment3%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)6%

2022

Stayed in Education / Employment

96%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)89%

Apprenticeships3%

Employment4%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)4%

2021

Stayed in Education / Employment

97%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)87%

Apprenticeships7%

Employment3%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)3%

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Sixth Form (A-Level) Performance

A-level results for students who stayed in sixth form at this school. Value added measures how much progress students made relative to their GCSE starting point.

2025

A-Level Value Added

-0.61

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make below-expected progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

Students

Grade Breakdown

Achieving A*1.7%

Achieving A*–A5.1%

Achieving A*–B17.9%

VA Banding Well below average

Retention rate97.1%

A-level subjects offered16

2024

A-Level Value Added

-0.83

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make below-expected progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

Students

Retention rate95.10%

2023

Avg Grade

C-

Students

Retention rate96.40%

2022

Avg Grade

C+

Students

Retention rate97.8%

Source: DfE A Level and Other 16-18 Results

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

01 November 2022

Inspection Report

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06 March 2019

Inspection Report

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09 October 2012

Inspection Report

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14 February 2012

Inspection Report

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15 March 2011

Inspection Report

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Inspection Report

Inspection History

3 Evaluations

2022-11-01

Requires Improvement S5 Reinspection Visit 1 EIF

Good

Education

Good

Behaviour

Good

Development

Good

Leadership

Good

2019-03-06

Exempt School Inspection Legacy

Requires improvement

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Requires improvement

2012-10-09

None Legacy

Outstanding

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Outstanding

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

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Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Official Department for Education (DfE) data. Suspensions measure temporary removals due to behavior, while exclusions represent permanent removals.

Suspension Rate

11.4%per term

warning Above Average

National average: 7.3% for this term (secondary).

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

4.9%(57 pupils)

Spring term 2025

Represents the proportion of unique students suspended at least once in this term.

Permanent Exclusions

1pupils

gavel Exclusion recorded

National average: 7.398% of pupils excluded per term.

Pastoral Context: In the Spring term of 2025, this school served a headcount of 1,152 pupils. During this period, there were 131 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 11.4%, which is above the termly national average of 7.3%.

View Historical Disciplinary Records (2017–2025)keyboard_arrow_down

Year / Term	Headcount	Suspensions	Susp. Rate	Nat. Avg	Perm. Excl.
2024/25 (Spring term)	1,152	131	11.4%	7.3%	1
2024/25 (Autumn term)	1,158	120	10.4%	7.8%	1
2023/24 (Summer term)	1,180	93	7.9%	7.4%	2
2023/24 (Spring term)	1,176	103	8.8%	7.1%	2
2023/24 (Autumn term)	1,171	123	10.5%	8.2%	0
2022/23 (Summer term)	1,202	72	6.0%	6.6%	2
2022/23 (Spring term)	1,219	53	4.3%	6.4%	1
2022/23 (Autumn term)	1,214	61	5.0%	5.9%	0
2021/22 (Summer term)	1,216	55	4.5%	4.7%	0
2021/22 (Spring term)	1,221	72	5.9%	4.9%	3
2021/22 (Autumn term)	1,221	36	2.9%	4.4%	0
2020/21 (Summer term)	1,241	20	1.6%	3.6%	0
2020/21 (Spring term)	1,245	7	0.6%	1.0%	0
2020/21 (Autumn term)	1,245	31	2.5%	3.9%	0
2019/20 (Summer term)	1,276	6	0.5%	0.0%	0
2019/20 (Spring term)	1,276	40	3.1%	3.2%	4
2019/20 (Autumn term)	1,276	58	4.5%	4.2%	2
2018/19 (Summer term)	1,278	48	3.8%	3.1%	2
2018/19 (Spring term)	1,287	63	4.9%	3.8%	0
2018/19 (Autumn term)	1,295	48	3.7%	3.8%	1
2017/18 (Summer term)	1,305	28	2.1%	3.4%	0
2017/18 (Spring term)	1,330	32	2.4%	3.0%	0
2017/18 (Autumn term)	1,337	19	1.4%	3.7%	0
2016/17 (Summer term)	1,354	41	3.0%	3.0%	0
2016/17 (Spring term)	1,373	50	3.6%	3.3%	0
2016/17 (Autumn term)	1,379	19	1.4%	3.1%	0

Source: DfE Suspensions and Permanent Exclusions in England. Data represents termly statistics as published by the Department for Education.

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Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Primary areas of need currently supported by the school. A high number often indicates specialized internal units or high staff experience in these areas.

Specific Learning Difficulty 37 pupils

Social, Emotional & Mental Health 34 pupils

Moderate Learning Difficulty 20 pupils

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 18 pupils

Speech, Language & Communication 17 pupils

Hearing Impairment 5 pupils

Other Difficulty/Disability 3 pupils

Physical Disability 2 pupils

Severe Learning Difficulty 1 pupils

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Parent View on Pastoral Care

Results from the official Ofsted Parent View survey, reflecting direct parent sentiment regarding the school environment.

My child is happy at this school.

77.0%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

88.0%Positive

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

21.0%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree30%

agree50%

disagree11%

strongly disagree6%

don't know2%

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

strongly agree19%

agree40%

disagree21%

strongly disagree11%

don't know8%

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

strongly agree34%

agree25%

disagree11%

strongly disagree8%

don't know1%

not applicable21%

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

yes27%

no73%

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

strongly agree39%

agree39%

disagree8%

strongly disagree11%

dont know3%

The school has high expectations for my child.

strongly agree34%

agree40%

disagree13%

strongly disagree7%

don't know6%

My child does well at this school.

strongly agree33%

agree42%

disagree15%

strongly disagree4%

don't know6%

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

strongly agree33%

agree45%

disagree18%

strongly disagree4%

don't know1%

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

strongly agree38%

agree52%

disagree8%

strongly disagree2%

don't know1%

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

strongly agree37%

agree54%

disagree3%

strongly disagree4%

don't know2%

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

strongly agree27%

agree40%

disagree18%

strongly disagree6%

don't know8%

I would recommend this school to another parent.

yes75%

no25%

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School Summary

Academic Performance

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

Student Destinations (After Secondary)

Sixth Form (A-Level) Performance

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Inspection History

Admissions Insight

How Places Are Allocated

Distance to School

School Capacity

Secondary Admission Trends

Students & School Environment

School Size

Language Diversity

Inclusive Support

Attendance

Ethnicity Breakdown

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Parent View on Pastoral Care

My child is happy at this school.

My child feels safe at this school.

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

The school has high expectations for my child.

My child does well at this school.

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

I would recommend this school to another parent.

Funding & Staffing

School Funding Allocation

Funding Breakdown

Staffing

Teacher Turnover

Top Secondary Schools in Suffolk

Debenham High School

Hartismere School

Bury St Edmunds County High School

St Benedict's Catholic School

Northgate High School

Sybil Andrews Academy