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

In its own words: "I feel incredibly proud to lead this vibrant and caring school community, where high expectations, strong relationships and our Christian vision sit at the heart of everything we do. At Barrow, we are driven by a simple but important question: How can every child truly thrive?"

The school runs after-school care.

Coming up: an open day on Tuesday 12 January 2027. Check the school's website before you go, as dates can change.

In 2025, 77% of Year 6 pupils at Barrow Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 73% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 75% and 72% in Suffolk and 77% and 75% across England.

Results rose from 77% in reading and 60% in maths in 2024.

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

For September 2026 entry, 22 families put Barrow Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School as their first choice and 51 named it as one of their preferences, for 26 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state primary schools to Barrow Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School are Risby Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School (2.7 miles, Good, 73% reading, 73% maths); Moulton Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School (4.1 miles, Outstanding, 93% reading, 87% maths); Ickworth Park Primary School (4.3 miles); and Sexton's Manor Primary School (4.6 miles, 43% reading, 30% maths).

Barrow Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School's 2025 results were higher than 2 of these 3 schools.

74 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Barrow Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School (as of September 2025): 92% would recommend the school, 95% say their child is happy there and 50% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that pupils behave well (97%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (50%).

9.5% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 1% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 18 pupils (9%) received SEN support and 4 (2%) 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 social, emotional and mental health needs.

Barrow Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School had 14 teachers in 2026, one for every 15 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 Barrow Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School.

2 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Three Horseshoes (adjacent), 230 metres away.

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

In 2024/25, Barrow Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School issued 4 suspensions, 1.9 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.