The Ryes College vs Thomas Gainsborough School
Side-by-side comparison of key school data
The Ryes College
Sudbury
Thomas Gainsborough School
Sudbury
Overview
Phase
Special
Secondary
Type
Other independent special school
Academy converter
Age Range
11–18
11–18
Gender
Mixed
Mixed
Religious Character
None
None
Admissions
-
Non-selective
Local Authority
Suffolk
Suffolk
Pupils & Capacity
Pupils
33
1603
Capacity
36
1400
Occupancy
92%
115%
FSM %
-
20.4%
Nursery
Sixth Form
Boarding
Ofsted
Overall Rating
-
-
Quality of Education
Requires Improvement
Good
Behaviour & Attitudes
Requires Improvement
Outstanding
Personal Development
Requires Improvement
Outstanding
Leadership & Management
Requires Improvement
Good
Last Inspected
Mar 2026
Nov 2024
Performance (2026)
Progress 8
-
-
Attainment 8
7.7
46.7
GCSE Eng+Maths 5+
0%
43.7%
KS2 Reading
-
-
KS2 Maths
-
-
KS2 Writing
-
-
A-Level Performance (2024/25)
Average Grade
-
B-
Points Per Entry
-
36.1
Best 3 A-Levels
-
B-
AAB+ %
-
14%
Value Added
-
Average
A-Level Students
-
116
Retention
-
96%
University Destinations (2022/23 cohort)
Top-third university
-
20%
Degree course
-
60%
Any L4+ destination
-
66%
Apprenticeships
-
4%
Cohort size
-
98
A-Level Subjects
Subjects offered
0
15
Top subjects
Psychology (70)
Mathematics (56)
Economics (50)
Sociology (44)
History (42)
History (40)
Sociology (36)
Government and Politics (34)