Barningham Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School, Bury St Edmunds

In its own words: "Through the Parable of the Sower (Mark 4:1-20), we aim to teach children that if they have good ‘soil’, where they hear the message of God and live it in their lives, they will be able to grow and flourish, equipped for their future world."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include football, tennis and dance.

In 2025, 81% of Year 6 pupils at Barningham Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 56% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 75% and 72% in Suffolk and 77% and 75% across England.

Results fell from 91% in reading and 82% in maths in 2024.

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

For September 2026 entry, 11 families put Barningham Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School as their first choice and 21 named it as one of their preferences, for 11 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 Barningham Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School are Stanton Primary School (2.2 miles); Hopton Church of England Primary Academy (2.2 miles); Bardwell Church of England Primary School (2.4 miles, Good, 71% reading, 71% maths); and Honington Church of England Primary School (3.7 miles).

20 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Barningham Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School (as of September 2025): 100% would recommend the school, 100% say their child is happy there and 50% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that they would recommend the school (100%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (50%).

14.3% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 4.3% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (87%) and Mixed (11%).

Barningham Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School had 6 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 Barningham Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School.

6 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Royal George (n-bound), 50 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 1 crime within a mile of the school, most often drug offences. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Suffolk (32).

In 2024/25, Barningham Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School issued 2 suspensions, 2.5 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.