Mendlesham Primary School, Stowmarket
Mendlesham Primary School is a primary school for pupils aged 4 to 11 in Stowmarket, part of Oxlip Learning Partnership. It was rated Good at its last graded Ofsted inspection, in December 2012. Ofsted's ungraded inspection in November 2024 did not change this grade. Its 2025 Key Stage 2 results were the 10th-highest of the 15 schools in Stowmarket with published results, and 11,035th of 14,452 across England. It was full in 2025, at 101% of capacity.
- SATs results
- Below England average
- Ofsted
- Good (2012)
- Demand
- Every first choice offered
- Attendance
- In line with England
Reception applications for September 2027 close in 80 days
Deadline Friday 15 January 2027. Apply to Suffolk (the council where you live). Offers on 16 April.
Data last updated 27 Oct 2026
Mendlesham Primary School in detail
Mendlesham Primary School in its own words
In its own words: "A warm welcome to Mendlesham Primary School with Mulberry Special Educational Needs Unit. At Mendlesham, we recognise that each child is unique, with their own set of gifts and talents. As educators, it is our duty to nurture and develop them all."
The school runs a breakfast club from 7:45am and after-school care.
Vision and values (school website)Wraparound care (school website)
Source: The school's own website
Results
In 2025, 71% of Year 6 pupils at Mendlesham Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 65% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 75% and 72% in Suffolk and 77% and 75% across England.
Results rose from 53% in reading and 47% in maths in 2024.
With small year groups, a few pupils can move these figures by several points.
Getting a place at Mendlesham Primary School
For September 2026 entry, 14 families put Mendlesham Primary School as their first choice and 23 named it as one of their preferences, for 14 places offered. That is one first choice for every place. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.
Admissions history and your chances at Mendlesham Primary School
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other state primary schools to Mendlesham Primary School are Wetheringsett Church of England Primary School (1.6 miles, Good); Bacton Primary School (3.2 miles, Good, 58% reading, 53% maths); Old Newton Church of England Primary School (3.3 miles, Good, 100% reading, 100% maths); and Thorndon Church of England Primary School (3.5 miles, 82% reading, 91% maths).
Mendlesham Primary School's 2025 results were higher than 1 of these 3 schools.
Wetheringsett Church of England Primary SchoolBacton Primary SchoolOld Newton Church of England Primary SchoolThorndon Church of England Primary School
The trust
Mendlesham Primary School is one of 7 schools run by Oxlip Learning Partnership, an academy trust.
What parents say
34 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Mendlesham Primary School (as of September 2025): 88% would recommend the school, 97% 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 is happy at the school (97%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (50%).
Who goes there
2% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.
In 2026, 8 pupils (8%) received SEN support and 22 (22%) 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.
Mendlesham Primary School has a SEN unit for moderate learning difficulties: 18 places, 18 pupils on roll.
Getting there
There is no railway, tram or Underground station within about three miles of Mendlesham Primary School.
6 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Community Centre (opposite), 100 metres away.
The area around the school
In August 2026, police recorded 1 crime within a mile of the school, most often other theft. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Suffolk (32).
Suspensions and exclusions
In 2024/25, Mendlesham Primary School issued 2 suspensions, 1.9 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.
Sources: DfE school performance data (averages: state mainstream schools); DfE school-level applications and offers; council admissions booklets; DfE appeals statistics; Ofsted Parent View; DfE school census and special educational needs statistics; NaPTAN (Department for Transport); English Indices of Deprivation 2025 (MHCLG); data.police.uk street-level crime; DfE exclusions statistics
Location
Every family who put it first was offered a place for 2026 entry, so distance did not limit places that year.
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 2 years agoThis judgement is from December 2012, 13 years ago, longer than Ofsted's usual 4-year cycle: the school may have changed since.
Overall
Quality of Education
Behaviour & Attitudes
Personal Development
Leadership & Management
Early Years
Ofsted Insights
From Ofsted's November 2024 inspection report.
What This School Does Well
Mendlesham Primary School excels at making learning come alive for pupils, whether through practical circuits, engaging books or hands-on activities. The school is genuinely inclusive, ensuring pupils with additional needs are fully part of the school community and make strong progress. Every child has access to enriching experiences like theatre trips and learning a musical instrument, creating a well-rounded education.
Key Strengths
- High-quality reading programme with well-matched books and close monitoring to help all pupils progress
- Strong support for pupils with special educational needs, including those in the on-site SEN unit
- Excellent curriculum enrichment through clubs, visits, theatre trips and music lessons for all pupils
- Enthusiastic and well-behaved pupils who are polite, kind and independent
- Regular review of curriculum with professional development helping teachers become experts in their subjects
Areas for Improvement
- Some younger pupils have poorly formed handwriting and letter formation that slows their writing speed and fluency
- Limited opportunities for pupils to learn about life beyond their local area, including modern Britain, government and important historical figures
- Need for more consistent practice of precise transcription skills across all year groups
Safeguarding
Safeguarding arrangements are effective with leaders creating an open and positive culture that puts pupils' interests first.
Extracurricular Activities
Theatre trips, musical instrument lessons, clubs, climbing and fitness equipment, road safety officer roles
Mendlesham Primary School is a good school where pupils enjoy learning and make strong progress across the curriculum. The school is highly ambitious and inclusive, with particular strength in reading and support for pupils with additional needs.
At a Glance
17.0%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
SEN unit: MLD
SEN Provision
No
Special Measures
What Parents Think
34 responsesSource: Ofsted Parent View, responses as at September 2025 - % who strongly agree or agree
Primary Performance (KS2)
Academic year 2024/25KS2 Results (% meeting expected standard)
Reading has improved from 53% to 71% (2024 to 2025). Maths has improved from 47% to 65% (2024 to 2025). Writing has remained stable at around 59% (2024 to 2025).
Class Sizes
19.3
Avg class size
19.3
KS2
3
Total classes
2025/26 academic year
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 5 nearby primary schools
Social & online
Keep up with Mendlesham Primary School
Term dates
Mendlesham Primary School is an academy, so it sets its own term dates: check the school's website. As a guide, see Suffolk's term dates for its community schools.
Getting There
Bus Stops
Free school transport
Check free transport to Mendlesham Primary School from your postcode →
You apply to the council where you live. Mendlesham Primary School is in Suffolk; for families living there:
Apply to Suffolk for free school transport. Its policy is on the council's website.
Safety and surroundings
Road collisions within 500 m (2021 to 2025)
No injury road collisions were reported to the police within 500 m of the school's mapped location in 2021 to 2025.
The typical figure for schools in Suffolk is 4 (the median across 365 schools, same distance and years).
Serious and slight counts use the Department for Transport's severity adjustment, which allows for changes in how police forces record injuries; they are estimates, rounded to whole numbers. Distances are in a straight line. Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19), Open Government Licence v3.0.
Commute and house prices
Your chances of a place at Mendlesham Primary School
Will you get a place at Mendlesham Primary School? Get the admissions report
Your home postcode, set against Mendlesham Primary School's admissions figures, in one report saved to your account.
What the report includes for Mendlesham Primary School:
- The straight-line distance from your home to Mendlesham Primary School.
- We hold no last distance offered figures from Suffolk, so the report covers demand, alternatives and dates.
- Applications, first choices and offers at Mendlesham Primary School for 2017 to 2026 entry.
- How many families in Suffolk got their first choice, and how often appeals there succeed.
- The nearest state schools to your home, with Ofsted rating, demand and last distance offered where published.
- Key dates for September 2027 entry and how to apply.
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Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
101%
Over capacity
106 pupils
105 places
1 pupil over capacity in 2025
2025, DfE school capacity data
Area Demand Pressure - Stowmarket
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Stowmarket
Across Suffolk council
Places available
8,806
Applications
6,492
Got 1st preference
94.9%
Got preferred school
99.1%
All primary applications across Suffolk council (2026/27), not just this school.
This school: Every first choice offered
Inspection History(3)
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
8
SEN Support
22
EHC Plans
30.0%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Mendlesham Primary School has a SEN unit for moderate learning difficulties: 18 places, 18 pupils on roll.
Source: GIAS, Department for Education.
Pupils by Need Type
Pupil Demographics
Ethnicity
2026 academic year
Key Indicators
100
Total Pupils
48
Boys
52
Girls
2026 academic year
Workforce
6
Teachers
16.7:1
Pupil-teacher ratio
£43,058
Mean salary
2026 data
School Funding
£6,078
Per pupil
£751k
Total funding
£32k
Pupil premium
2025-26 financial year allocations
Pupil Absence2024/25
5.3%
Overall absence
12.6%
Persistent absence
103
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
Questions parents ask about Mendlesham Primary School
What are SATs results like at Mendlesham Primary School?
Of the pupils at Mendlesham Primary School who took the 2025 Key Stage 2 assessments, 71% reached the expected standard in reading and 65% did so in maths.
What is Mendlesham Primary School's Ofsted rating?
Mendlesham Primary School's most recent Ofsted inspection, in November 2024, was ungraded, so it gave no overall grade. At its last graded inspection, in December 2012, it was rated Good.
What is the catchment area for Mendlesham Primary School?
No fixed boundary. When Mendlesham Primary School is oversubscribed, Suffolk allocates places by its published criteria, usually ending with home-to-school distance.
Is it hard to get a place at Mendlesham Primary School?
Mendlesham Primary School was full in 2025, at 101% of its capacity, so places are allocated on the oversubscription criteria.
How big are the classes at Mendlesham Primary School?
Classes at Mendlesham Primary School average 19.3 pupils (2025/26).
How many pupils go to Mendlesham Primary School?
Mendlesham Primary School has around 100 pupils on roll. 17% are eligible for free school meals.
Does Mendlesham Primary School have specialist SEN provision?
Mendlesham Primary School has a SEN unit for moderate learning difficulties: 18 places, 18 pupils on roll.
What is attendance like at Mendlesham Primary School?
5.3% of sessions were missed at Mendlesham Primary School in 2024/25. 12.6% of pupils were persistently absent (missing 10% or more of sessions).
How do I apply to Mendlesham Primary School?
Apply through Suffolk's coordinated admissions process, naming Mendlesham Primary School on your application. Applications for Reception places starting in September 2027 close on Friday 15 January 2027, and offers are made on Friday 16 April 2027.
How many road collisions happen near Mendlesham Primary School?
No injury road collisions were reported to the police within 500 m of the school's mapped location in 2021 to 2025. The typical figure for schools in Suffolk is 4 (the median across 365 schools, same distance and years).
Where is Mendlesham Primary School?
Mendlesham Primary School is at Old Station Road, Mendlesham, Stowmarket, Suffolk, IP14 5RT.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)