Ofsted: Requires improvement trending_up Places Available emoji_events #38 in Suffolk public Top 40% UK

Ipswich Academy

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

personMs Abbie Thorrington

corporate_farePARADIGM TRUST

location_onIpswich, IP3 0SP

language Visit Website phone 1473550040

verified

Ofsted

Requires improvement

Inspected 2024

groups

Students

1,001

trending_up

Attainment 8

37.6

leaderboard

GCSE Rank

#38 in Suffolk

#2,817 of 3,216 nationally

summarize

Ipswich Academy is a Academy sponsor led secondary school in Ipswich, serving ages 11-18. Currently Requires Improvement according to Ofsted — the school is working to raise standards.

article

School Summary

Ipswich Academy is an academy sponsor led in Ipswich, Suffolk, admitting pupils aged 11-18. It is part of PARADIGM TRUST. The school has approximately 1,006 pupils on roll, of whom 40% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2025, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 37.6, placing the school #38 in Suffolk and #2,817 of 3,216 nationally. 29.50% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths. 10.4% of all GCSE entries were graded 9–7.

Ofsted last inspected the school in 2024. The school's current overall rating is Requires improvement. Inspectors assessed quality of education as Requires improvement, behaviour and attitudes Requires improvement, personal development Good, and leadership and management Requires improvement.

In the most recent admissions cycle, applications were at 0.8× capacity.

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 18.9:1. There are no current teaching vacancies.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there were 3 permanent exclusions. The average suspension rate was 57.3 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

37.6

Grade 5+ E&M

29.50%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)10.4%

Entering EBacc7.40%

EBacc APS3.23

2024

Progress 8 Score

-0.54

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

35.7

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc9.30%

EBacc APS3.11

2023

Progress 8 Score

-0.44

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

34.7

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc18%

EBacc APS3.02

2022

Progress 8 Score

0.05

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

44.1

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc13%

EBacc APS3.78

2021

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc14%

EBacc APS-

2019

Progress 8 Score

0.15

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

40.7

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc13%

EBacc APS3.42

2018

Progress 8 Score

-0.02

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

40.2

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc12%

EBacc APS3.45

explore

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

85%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)77%

Apprenticeships3%

Employment6%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)11%

2024

Stayed in Education / Employment

94%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)86%

Apprenticeships4%

Employment5%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)5%

2023

Stayed in Education / Employment

89%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)80%

Apprenticeships3%

Employment6%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)11%

2022

Stayed in Education / Employment

91%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)86%

Apprenticeships1%

Employment4%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)8%

2021

Stayed in Education / Employment

85%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)78%

Apprenticeships4%

Employment3%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)13%

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

08 May 2024

Inspection Report

picture_as_pdf Download PDF

05 March 2019

Inspection Report

picture_as_pdf Download PDF

13 September 2018

Inspection Report

picture_as_pdf Download PDF

18 October 2016

Inspection Report

picture_as_pdf Download PDF

05 July 2016

Inspection Report

picture_as_pdf Download PDF

20 January 2016

Inspection Report

picture_as_pdf Download PDF

29 September 2015

Inspection Report

picture_as_pdf Download PDF

24 April 2015

Inspection Report

picture_as_pdf Download PDF

08 January 2015

Inspection Report

picture_as_pdf Download PDF

27 November 2014

Inspection Report

picture_as_pdf Download PDF

16 June 2014

Inspection Report

picture_as_pdf Download PDF

17 December 2013

Inspection Report

picture_as_pdf Download PDF

10 July 2013

Inspection Report

picture_as_pdf Download PDF

22 May 2012

Inspection Report

picture_as_pdf Download PDF

Inspection Report

Inspection History

8 Evaluations

2024-05-08

S5 Inspection EIF

Requires improvement

Education

Requires improvement

Behaviour

Requires improvement

Development

Good

Leadership

Requires improvement

2019-03-05

Requires Improvement S5 Reinspection Visit 1 Legacy

Good

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Outstanding

2018-09-13

None Legacy

No Judgement

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

Development

Leadership

2016-10-18

None Legacy

Requires improvement

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Good

2016-07-05

None Legacy

No Judgement

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

Development

Leadership

2016-01-20

None Legacy

No Judgement

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

Development

Leadership

2015-09-29

None Legacy

No Judgement

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

Development

Leadership

2015-01-08

None Legacy

Inadequate

Education

Inadequate

Behaviour

Development

Leadership

Inadequate

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

gavel

Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

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

Suspension Rate

52.1%per term

warning Above Average

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

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

14.6%(147 pupils)

Spring term 2025

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

Permanent Exclusions

3pupils

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 1,006 pupils. During this period, there were 524 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 52.1%, 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)	1,006	524	52.1%	7.3%	3
2024/25 (Autumn term)	1,010	632	62.6%	7.8%	0
2023/24 (Summer term)	1,050	461	43.9%	7.4%	2
2023/24 (Spring term)	1,044	300	28.7%	7.1%	0
2023/24 (Autumn term)	1,033	217	21.0%	8.2%	1
2022/23 (Summer term)	999	184	18.4%	6.6%	3
2022/23 (Spring term)	1,001	209	20.9%	6.4%	0
2022/23 (Autumn term)	1,002	39	3.9%	5.9%	0
2021/22 (Summer term)	954	38	4.0%	4.7%	0
2021/22 (Spring term)	951	51	5.4%	4.9%	0
2021/22 (Autumn term)	953	33	3.5%	4.4%	2
2020/21 (Summer term)	915	46	5.0%	3.6%	2
2020/21 (Spring term)	908	7	0.8%	1.0%	0
2020/21 (Autumn term)	916	69	7.5%	3.9%	0
2019/20 (Summer term)	880	0	0.0%	0.0%	0
2019/20 (Spring term)	880	12	1.4%	3.2%	2
2019/20 (Autumn term)	867	20	2.3%	4.2%	1
2018/19 (Summer term)	787	3	0.4%	3.1%	0
2018/19 (Spring term)	787	20	2.5%	3.8%	2
2018/19 (Autumn term)	802	28	3.5%	3.8%	2
2017/18 (Summer term)	744	27	3.6%	3.4%	1
2017/18 (Spring term)	744	44	5.9%	3.0%	1
2017/18 (Autumn term)	755	49	6.5%	3.7%	4
2016/17 (Summer term)	704	55	7.8%	3.0%	1
2016/17 (Spring term)	708	21	3.0%	3.3%	3
2016/17 (Autumn term)	709	50	7.1%	3.1%	5

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

accessibility_new

psychology_alt

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.

Social, Emotional & Mental Health 44 pupils

Specific Learning Difficulty 20 pupils

Moderate Learning Difficulty 17 pupils

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 16 pupils

Other Difficulty/Disability 15 pupils

Speech, Language & Communication 14 pupils

Visual Impairment 1 pupils

Multi-Sensory Impairment 1 pupils

Physical Disability 1 pupils

health_and_safety

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.

56.0%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

48.0%Positive

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

15.0%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree8%

agree29%

disagree25%

strongly disagree33%

don't know6%

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

strongly agree16%

agree50%

disagree21%

strongly disagree11%

don't know2%

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

strongly agree13%

agree17%

disagree26%

strongly disagree30%

don't know2%

not applicable11%

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

yes24%

no76%

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

strongly agree8%

agree12%

disagree40%

strongly disagree36%

dont know4%

The school has high expectations for my child.

strongly agree22%

agree43%

disagree15%

strongly disagree10%

don't know10%

My child does well at this school.

strongly agree17%

agree47%

disagree27%

strongly disagree7%

don't know3%

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

strongly agree17%

agree41%

disagree27%

strongly disagree14%

don't know1%

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

strongly agree18%

agree55%

disagree18%

strongly disagree7%

don't know2%

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

strongly agree21%

agree53%

disagree13%

strongly disagree3%

don't know10%

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

strongly agree11%

agree31%

disagree19%

strongly disagree25%

don't know13%

I would recommend this school to another parent.

yes40%

no60%

Top Secondary Schools in Suffolk

Other highly-ranked schools in the same local authority

View all arrow_forward

Debenham High School

Good

location_on Stowmarket, IP14 6BL

emoji_events #1 in LA

Hartismere School

Outstanding

location_on Eye, IP23 7BL

emoji_events #2 in LA

Bury St Edmunds County High School

Good

location_on Bury St Edmunds, IP32 6RF

emoji_events #3 in LA

St Benedict's Catholic School

Good

location_on Bury St Edmunds, IP32 6RH

emoji_events #4 in LA

Northgate High School

Good

location_on Ipswich, IP4 3DL

emoji_events #5 in LA

Sybil Andrews Academy

Good

location_on Bury St. Edmunds, IP32 7QB

emoji_events #6 in LA

View all schools in Suffolk arrow_forward

School Summary

Academic Performance

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

Student Destinations (After Secondary)

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.

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