Claydon High School, Ipswich
Data last updated 11 Sept 2026
Location
Estimated admission likelihood based on school density and oversubscription data. Admissions policy: Non-selective
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 9 months agoOverall
Quality of Education
Behaviour & Attitudes
Personal Development
Leadership & Management
Ofsted Insights
What This School Does Well
Claydon High School is a happy, inclusive place where every pupil feels valued and safe. The school excels at providing a broad, ambitious curriculum alongside exceptional enrichment opportunities - from coding clubs to overseas trips to community tea parties - that help pupils develop as confident, active citizens. Staff know each pupil well and provide tailored support so that disadvantaged pupils and those with additional needs can access the full range of opportunities alongside their peers.
Key Strengths
- Strong focus on pupils' personal development and well-being with a carefully designed 'LIFE' curriculum covering diverse issues, faiths and perspectives
- Excellent attendance and positive behaviour due to a supportive school culture and clear expectations
- Extensive enrichment opportunities including clubs, trips, overseas visits and work experience that broaden pupils' experiences
- Effective support systems for disadvantaged pupils and those with special educational needs, enabling them to access the curriculum
- Strong careers education with first-hand experience of workplaces and apprenticeships to help pupils make informed choices
Areas for Improvement
- Some pupils in key stage 3 struggle to communicate their ideas clearly in writing and need more support with literacy
- Not all teaching is equally rigorous - some teachers do not check pupils' understanding carefully enough or adapt activities precisely
- Targets for pupils with education, health and care plans are sometimes not specific enough, making it harder to measure progress
- Leadership development at all levels is at an early stage and needs to be more rigorous to embed improvements consistently
Safeguarding
Safeguarding standards are met - leaders have established an open culture where safeguarding is everyone's responsibility and staff work vigilantly to protect vulnerable pupils.
Extracurricular Activities
coding, knit and natter, games, sports, theatre productions, musical performances, trips, residential visits, overseas trips to practise languages, student leadership positions, work experience, employer visits, apprenticeship provider meetings, mock elections, community tea parties for local residents
Claydon High School is a well-regarded secondary school where pupils enjoy learning and feel safe and valued. Leaders have created a positive school culture with strong personal development opportunities and effective support systems for all pupils.
At a Glance
22.9%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
Class Sizes
24.5
Avg class size
27
Total classes
2 classes with more than 30 pupils
2024/25 academic year
Getting There
Bus Stops
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Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
113%
Over capacity
765 pupils
675 capacity
90 places over capacity
Area Demand Pressure - Ipswich
Based on MHCLG housing supply data for Ipswich
Admissions Demand - Suffolk
Places available
8,496
Applications
7,401
Got 1st preference
92.0%
Got preferred school
97.4%
Secondary admissions across Suffolk (2025/26)
Inspection History(4)
House Prices
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SEN Provision
How many pupils have special educational needs, what types of support the school provides, and how it compares to similar schools.
Pupil Demographics
The school's pupil mix - ethnicity breakdown, free school meals eligibility, and English as an additional language. Useful context when evaluating school fit.
Teachers & Staff
Teacher qualification rates, pupil-to-teacher ratio, staff turnover, and salary data. Shows how well-resourced and stable the school's workforce is.
School Funding
Annual funding per pupil, total budget, pupil premium grants, and how the school's resources compare to similar schools nationally.
Pupil Absence2024/25
7.57467%
Overall absence
19.0051%
Persistent absence
784
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
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Feeder Primary Schools
Primary schools that likely feed into this school, based on proximity
Claydon High School
Nearby Schools
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