Ixworth High School, Ixworth

In its own words: "Ixworth High School is a small secondary school located in the village of Ixworth, in the picturesque Suffolk countryside. We offer education to students aged 11 to 16, we are known for our supportive learning environment and emphasis on academic achievement. Curriculum: A broad curriculum that includes traditional academic subjects as well as opportunities for vocational education and enrichment activities."

From the headteacher's welcome: "Our commitment is to providing an inspiring and enriching educational experience. At Ixworth, we take a traditional approach to the curriculum, ensuring the academic development of our students. This is complemented by a wide ranging creative focus as well as a bespoke enrichment curriculum. This enables us to cater for each child’s individual needs and talents, promoting a well-rounded individual."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include drama, sewing and Duke of Edinburgh.

In 2026, pupils at Ixworth High School averaged an Attainment 8 score of 39.7, the average grade across their best eight GCSEs. The average state school scored 43.4 in Suffolk and 47 across England.

32% passed English and maths at grade 5 or above, against 40% in Suffolk and 47% in England.

That is down from 44 in 2025.

Its most recent Progress 8 score, for 2024, was -0.82: pupils made well below average progress compared with pupils nationally who started secondary school at the same level. Progress 8 was not published for 2026.

Disadvantaged pupils averaged an Attainment 8 of 34.3, against 41.5 for other pupils at the school - a gap of 7.2 points.

Pupils sat GCSEs in 18 subjects; after English and maths, the most popular were Statistics, Geography and Combined Science.

For September 2026 entry, 80 families put Ixworth High School as their first choice and 175 named it as one of their preferences, for 88 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 secondary schools to Ixworth High School are Thurston Community College (3.5 miles, Good, Attainment 8 45.9); and Sybil Andrews Academy (5.3 miles, Good, Attainment 8 52.6).

Each of them had higher 2026 results than Ixworth High School.

Ixworth High School is one of 23 schools run by Sapientia Education Trust, an academy trust.

Across the trust's secondary schools, pupils averaged an Attainment 8 score of 45.9 in 2024/25.

169 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Ixworth High School (as of September 2025): 52% would recommend the school, 66% say their child is happy there and 41% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that their child feels safe (74%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (41%).

Of the 60 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 77% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 57% to a further education college, 3% to an apprenticeship and 7% into work.

2.1% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 93 pupils (18.2%) received SEN support and 49 (9.6%) 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 autism.

Ixworth High School has a SEN unit for hearing impairment and autism: 20 places, 20 pupils on roll.

There is no railway, tram or Underground station within about three miles of Ixworth High School.

4 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Free School (in), 20 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 6 crimes within a mile of the school, most often criminal damage and arson, other theft and public order offences. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Suffolk (32).

In 2024/25, Ixworth High School issued 243 suspensions, 44.4 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.