Ofsted: Good trending_up Places Available emoji_events #21 in Suffolk public Top 27% UK

Stour Valley Community School

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

personMrs Rachel Kelly

corporate_fareSTOUR VALLEY EDUCATIONAL TRUST LIMITED

location_onSudbury, CO10 8PJ

language Visit Website phone 1787279342

verified

Ofsted

Good

Inspected 2023

groups

Students

586

trending_up

Attainment 8

44.5

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GCSE Rank

#19 in Suffolk

#1,824 of 3,216 nationally

summarize

Stour Valley Community School is a Free schools secondary school in Sudbury, serving ages 11-16. Rated Good by Ofsted.

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School Summary

Stour Valley Community School is a free schools in Sudbury, Suffolk, admitting pupils aged 11-16. It is part of STOUR VALLEY EDUCATIONAL TRUST LIMITED. The school has approximately 569 pupils on roll, of whom 19% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2025, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 44.5, placing the school #19 in Suffolk and #1,824 of 3,216 nationally. 42.50% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths. 15.8% of all GCSE entries were graded 9–7.

Ofsted last inspected the school in 2023. 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 18.6:1. There are no current teaching vacancies.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there were no permanent exclusions. The average suspension rate was 3.6 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

44.5

Grade 5+ E&M

42.50%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)15.8%

Entering EBacc15.90%

EBacc APS3.71

2024

Progress 8 Score

-0.14

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

47.4

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc5.20%

EBacc APS3.96

2023

Progress 8 Score

-0.05

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

47.6

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc6%

EBacc APS3.96

2022

Progress 8 Score

-0.21

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

52.2

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc3%

EBacc APS4.17

2021

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc13%

EBacc APS-

2019

Progress 8 Score

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

47.1

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc16%

EBacc APS3.9

2018

Progress 8 Score

0.12

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

45.7

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc11%

EBacc APS3.8

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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

97%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)92%

Apprenticeships3%

Employment1%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)3%

2024

Stayed in Education / Employment

93%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)84%

Apprenticeships6%

Employment3%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)5%

2023

Stayed in Education / Employment

98%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)94%

Apprenticeships3%

Employment2%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)1%

2022

Stayed in Education / Employment

96%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)88%

Apprenticeships6%

Employment2%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)4%

2021

Stayed in Education / Employment

95%

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

Apprenticeships4%

Employment3%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)5%

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

25 April 2023

Inspection Report

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27 June 2017

Inspection Report

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10 July 2013

Inspection Report

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Inspection Report

Inspection History

3 Evaluations

2023-04-25

S5 Inspection EIF

Good

Education

Good

Behaviour

Good

Development

Good

Leadership

Good

2017-06-27

None Legacy

No Judgement

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

Development

Leadership

2013-07-10

S5 Inspection Legacy

Good

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

1.6%per term

sentiment_satisfied Below Average (Good)

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

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

1.6%(9 pupils)

Spring term 2025

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

Permanent Exclusions

0pupils

verified Excellent (Zero)

National average: 7.398% of pupils excluded per term.

Pastoral Context: In the Spring term of 2025, this school served a headcount of 569 pupils. During this period, there were 9 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 1.6%, which is below 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)	569	9	1.6%	7.3%	0
2024/25 (Autumn term)	578	32	5.5%	7.8%	0
2023/24 (Summer term)	578	50	8.7%	7.4%	3
2023/24 (Spring term)	579	33	5.7%	7.1%	1
2023/24 (Autumn term)	585	42	7.2%	8.2%	0
2022/23 (Summer term)	583	48	8.2%	6.6%	0
2022/23 (Spring term)	586	50	8.5%	6.4%	1
2022/23 (Autumn term)	595	53	8.9%	5.9%	1
2021/22 (Summer term)	579	36	6.2%	4.7%	1
2021/22 (Spring term)	582	35	6.0%	4.9%	0
2021/22 (Autumn term)	590	19	3.2%	4.4%	1
2020/21 (Summer term)	582	18	3.1%	3.6%	1
2020/21 (Spring term)	583	3	0.5%	1.0%	0
2020/21 (Autumn term)	593	17	2.9%	3.9%	0
2019/20 (Summer term)	593	0	0.0%	0.0%	0
2019/20 (Spring term)	593	21	3.5%	3.2%	0
2019/20 (Autumn term)	598	49	8.2%	4.2%	0
2018/19 (Summer term)	572	6	1.0%	3.1%	0
2018/19 (Spring term)	570	22	3.9%	3.8%	1
2018/19 (Autumn term)	577	20	3.5%	3.8%	0
2017/18 (Summer term)	575	6	1.0%	3.4%	0
2017/18 (Spring term)	582	13	2.2%	3.0%	0
2017/18 (Autumn term)	577	10	1.7%	3.7%	0
2016/17 (Summer term)	575	12	2.1%	3.0%	0
2016/17 (Spring term)	570	12	2.1%	3.3%	0
2016/17 (Autumn term)	567	17	3.0%	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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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 26 pupils

Specific Learning Difficulty 16 pupils

Moderate Learning Difficulty 16 pupils

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 13 pupils

Speech, Language & Communication 3 pupils

Hearing Impairment 2 pupils

Physical Disability 2 pupils

Other Difficulty/Disability 2 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.

78.0%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

84.0%Positive

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

22.0%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree28%

agree40%

disagree18%

strongly disagree3%

don't know11%

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

strongly agree15%

agree37%

disagree38%

strongly disagree9%

don't know2%

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

strongly agree24%

agree29%

disagree15%

strongly disagree9%

don't know2%

not applicable22%

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

yes20%

no80%

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

strongly agree32%

agree21%

disagree32%

strongly disagree16%

The school has high expectations for my child.

strongly agree31%

agree45%

disagree12%

strongly disagree1%

don't know11%

My child does well at this school.

strongly agree31%

agree48%

disagree13%

strongly disagree3%

don't know4%

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

strongly agree28%

agree45%

disagree19%

strongly disagree8%

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

strongly agree27%

agree60%

disagree6%

strongly disagree3%

don't know3%

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

strongly agree26%

agree57%

disagree11%

strongly disagree2%

don't know4%

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

strongly agree26%

agree39%

disagree24%

strongly disagree6%

don't know5%

I would recommend this school to another parent.

yes75%

no25%

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.

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