Corton Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School, Lowestoft

Ofsted's report card from its 14 April 2026 inspection grades Corton Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School on 7 areas: 7 expected standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Achievement - Expected standard. "Pupils develop and secure the basic skills in reading, writing and mathematics."

Attendance and behaviour - Expected standard. "Leaders track attendance closely."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Leaders have established a broad and ambitious curriculum that is well sequenced."

Early years - Expected standard. "Leaders have established a clear vision for the early years, with a well-sequenced and ambitious curriculum that begins in Nursery and prepares children effectively for Year 1."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "This is an inclusive school."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders have a clear and ambitious vision for the school, with a strong focus on pupils' achievement and wellbeing."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "Leaders' thoughtful approach to pupils' personal development ensures that all pupils develop important knowledge and can take part in a range of experiences."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should further strengthen the consistency of routines and expectations so that pupils listen attentively, settle quickly and sustain focus across all parts of the day"; "Leaders should continue to embed the impact of their work, and the work of staff, on strengthening important foundational skills, such as writing, so that pupils consistently achieve well"; "Leaders should continue to strengthen assessment so that pupils' misconceptions are consistently picked up and acted on".

In 2025, 71% of Year 6 pupils at Corton Church of England Voluntary Aided 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 72% in reading and 61% in maths in 2024.

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

For September 2026 entry, 8 families put Corton Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School as their first choice and 11 named it as one of their preferences, for 9 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 Corton Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School are Gunton Primary Academy (1 mile, Good, 84% reading, 80% maths); Poplars Community Primary School (1.8 miles, Requires improvement, 83% reading, 87% maths); Hopton Church of England Primary Academy (1.8 miles, Good, 73% reading, 86% maths); and Northfield St Nicholas Primary Academy (1.9 miles, Good, 73% reading, 78% maths).

Each of them had higher 2025 results than Corton Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School.

0.9% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 31 pupils (28.2%) received SEN support and 5 (4.5%) 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.

The nearest railway station is Lowestoft Rail Station, about 2.7 miles away in a straight line.

14 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is White Horse (outside), 230 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 13 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and criminal damage and arson. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Suffolk (32).

In 2024/25, Corton Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School issued 2 suspensions, 1.7 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The secondary schools closest to Corton Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School are Benjamin Britten Academy of Music and Mathematics (1.4 miles) and Ormiston Denes Academy (1.7 miles).