Bardwell Church of England Primary School, Bury St Edmunds

Ofsted's report card from its 23 June 2026 inspection grades Bardwell Church of England Primary School on 6 areas: 6 expected standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Achievement - Expected standard. "Outcomes in national assessments have varied over recent years."

Attendance and behaviour - Expected standard. "Pupils' attendance is broadly in line with the national averages."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Leaders understand the strengths and development priorities of the curriculum."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "Leaders ensure that pupils feel welcome and valued."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders have an accurate understanding of the school's strengths and the areas that require further improvement."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "Leaders place a consistent focus on pupils' personal development and wellbeing."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should ensure that teachers check and revisit pupils' prior learning systematically across the curriculum, particularly in the personal, social, health and economic programme, so pupils secure and retain key knowledge over time"; "Leaders should ensure that teachers identify and address gaps in pupils' handwriting and spelling more precisely, so pupils develop secure and consistent core writing skills"; "Leaders should ensure that staff have the subject knowledge they need across all curriculum areas, so teaching consistently supports pupils to learn and build knowledge securely".

From the headteacher's welcome: "Welcome to Bardwell Church of England Primary School. We are extremely proud of our school and its pupils. We promote high standards of behaviour and achievement within a supportive environment."

Coming up: an open day on Tuesday 3 November 2026 at 9am. Check the school's website before you go, as dates can change.

In 2025, 71% of Year 6 pupils at Bardwell Church of England Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 71% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 75% and 72% in Suffolk and 77% and 75% across England.

Results rose from 25% in reading and 13% in maths in 2024.

With small year groups, a few pupils can move these figures by several points.

For September 2026 entry, 6 families put Bardwell Church of England Primary School as their first choice and 15 named it as one of their preferences, for 6 places offered. That is one first choice for every place. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state primary schools to Bardwell Church of England Primary School are Honington Church of England Primary School (1.8 miles); Stanton Primary School (1.8 miles); Ixworth Church of England Primary School (2.1 miles, Good, 80% reading, 85% maths); and Barningham Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School (2.4 miles, Good, 81% reading, 56% maths).

Bardwell Church of England Primary School's 2025 results were higher than 1 of these 2 schools.

Bardwell Church of England Primary School is one of 15 schools run by The Tilian Partnership, an academy trust.

Across the trust's primary schools, 63% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths in 2024/25.

7.4% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 7 pupils (13%) received SEN support and 1 (1.9%) had an education, health and care plan, against 16.2% and 4.6% at the average state school. The most common need among them is autism.

Bardwell Church of England Primary School had 5 teachers in 2026, one for every 12 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical primary school, at about one for every 20.

There is no railway, tram or Underground station within about three miles of Bardwell Church of England Primary School.

6 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is School (outside), 60 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 5 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences and vehicle crime. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Suffolk (32).

Bardwell Church of England Primary School recorded no suspensions or permanent exclusions in 2024/25.