Howard Community Academy, Bury St Edmunds

In its own words: "Aspiration | Experience | Nurture | Community At Howard Primary we aim to support every child in becoming more than they ever thought they could be. Within a safe and nurturing environment we seek to provide our children with a curriculum which is engaging and exciting but also challenging in order to help every child reach their full potential."

From the headteacher's welcome: "With a dedicated staff team, we strive to make learning irresistible and inspiring for all of our lovely young learners and their families from our local area in the heart of the Howard estate in the historic town of Bury St Edmunds. Since joining Anglian Learning in April 2020, we have been working tirelessly to support our young learners."

The school runs a breakfast club from 7:45am.

Coming up: an open evening on Tuesday 3 November 2026 at 6pm. Check the school's website before you go, as dates can change.

In 2025, 71% of Year 6 pupils at Howard Community Academy reached the expected standard in reading and 50% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 75% and 72% in Suffolk and 77% and 75% across England.

Results rose from 48% in reading and 48% in maths in 2024.

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

For September 2026 entry, 20 families put Howard Community Academy as their first choice and 41 named it as one of their preferences, for 22 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 Howard Community Academy are Tollgate Primary School (0.6 miles, Good, 79% reading, 86% maths); Sexton's Manor Primary School (0.8 miles, 43% reading, 30% maths); St Edmundsbury CofE Primary Academy (0.9 miles, 67% reading, 42% maths); and Westgate Community Primary School and Nursery (1.5 miles, Good, 70% reading, 54% maths).

Howard Community Academy's 2025 results were higher than 2 of these 4 schools.

Howard Community Academy is one of 22 schools run by Anglian Learning, an academy trust.

Across the trust's primary schools, 66% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths in 2024/25.

35 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Howard Community Academy (as of September 2025): 83% would recommend the school, 83% say their child is happy there and 50% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that their child feels safe (86%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (50%).

42.4% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 48 pupils (22.9%) received SEN support and 16 (7.6%) 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 speech, language and communication needs.

Howard Community Academy had 11 teachers in 2026, one for every 16 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical primary school, at about one for every 20.

The nearest railway station is Entrance, about 1.1 miles away in a straight line.

11 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Howard Middle School (outside), 90 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 56 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, criminal damage and arson and shoplifting. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Suffolk (32), as is usual near a town centre.

In 2024/25, Howard Community Academy issued 9 suspensions, 4.6 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The secondary schools closest to Howard Community Academy are St Benedict's Catholic School (0.5 miles), Bury St Edmunds County High School (0.5 miles) and King Edward VI CEVC School (0.9 miles).