Somersham Primary School, Ipswich
Somersham Primary School is a primary school for pupils aged 4 to 11 in Ipswich. It was rated Good at its last graded Ofsted inspection, in January 2020. Ofsted's ungraded inspection in March 2025 did not change this grade. Its 2025 Key Stage 2 results were the 20th-highest of the 55 schools in Ipswich with published results, and 8,057th of 14,452 across England. It was 76% full in 2025.
- SATs results
- In line with England
- Ofsted
- Good (2020)
- Demand
- Every first choice offered
- Attendance
- Better than England average
Reception applications for September 2027 close in 81 days
Deadline Friday 15 January 2027. Apply to Suffolk (the council where you live). Offers on 16 April.
Data last updated 26 Oct 2026
Somersham Primary School in detail
Results
In 2025, 88% of Year 6 pupils at Somersham Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 63% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 75% and 72% in Suffolk and 77% and 75% across England.
Results rose from 80% in reading and 40% in maths in 2024.
With small year groups, a few pupils can move these figures by several points.
Getting a place at Somersham Primary School
For September 2026 entry, 9 families put Somersham Primary School as their first choice and 26 named it as one of their preferences, for 9 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 Somersham Primary School
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other state primary schools to Somersham Primary School are Elmsett Church of England Primary School (2.3 miles, 69% reading, 46% maths); Bramford Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School (2.4 miles, Good, 61% reading, 68% maths); Claydon Primary School (2.9 miles, Good, 78% reading, 73% maths); and Ringshall School (3 miles, Good, 94% reading, 94% maths).
Somersham Primary School's 2025 results were higher than 2 of these 4 schools.
Elmsett Church of England Primary SchoolBramford Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary SchoolClaydon Primary SchoolRingshall School
What parents say
20 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Somersham Primary School (as of September 2025): 80% would recommend the school, 95% say their child is happy there and 67% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.
The strongest agreement was that their child is happy at the school (95%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (67%).
Who goes there
11.1% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 2.8% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.
In 2026, 17 pupils (23.6%) received SEN support and 3 (4.2%) 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.
Staffing
Somersham Primary School had 6 teachers in 2026, one for every 13 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical primary school, at about one for every 20.
Getting there
There is no railway, tram or Underground station within about three miles of Somersham Primary School.
2 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Springfield Road (opposite), 230 metres away.
The area around the school
In August 2026, police recorded 0 crimes within a mile of the school. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Suffolk (32).
Suspensions and exclusions
Somersham Primary School recorded no suspensions or permanent exclusions in 2024/25.
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; DfE school workforce census; 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 January 2020, 6 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
Latest (ungraded) inspection: Standards have been maintained.
Ofsted Insights
From Ofsted's March 2025 inspection report.
What This School Does Well
Somersham Primary School creates a warm, inclusive environment where children feel confident and safe. Teachers have high expectations and actively encourage pupils to try their best and believe in themselves. The school offers a range of enriching experiences through clubs, trips and real-life projects that help children develop important life skills and confidence.
Key Strengths
- Pupils enjoy school and feel part of a close, supportive community with strong relationships between staff and pupils
- Well-organised curriculum that builds on what pupils already know, particularly strong in science and reading
- Effective support for pupils with special educational needs who make good progress from their starting points
- Calm, respectful behaviour throughout the school with pupils understanding the school's values
- Wide range of enrichment experiences including clubs and trips to support pupils' personal development
Areas for Improvement
- Teachers do not consistently use assessment information in some subjects to adapt teaching and address gaps in pupils' knowledge
- Curriculum lacks sufficient opportunities for pupils to explore different cultures and beliefs in modern Britain, limiting their cultural understanding
Safeguarding
Safeguarding arrangements are effective, with staff and pupils understanding how to access help and support.
Extracurricular Activities
Clubs, educational trips, librarian roles, lunchtime helpers, real-life curriculum projects, before-school care
Somersham Primary School has maintained good standards and continues to provide a supportive community where pupils feel happy, safe and inspired to learn. The school has a well-organised curriculum and strong routines that help pupils achieve well.
At a Glance
11.1%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
What Parents Think
20 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 80% to 88% (2024 to 2025). Maths has improved from 40% to 63% (2024 to 2025). Writing has improved from 60% to 81% (2024 to 2025).
Class Sizes
26.0
Avg class size
25.0
KS2
2
Total classes
2025/26 academic year
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 5 nearby primary schools
Keep up with Somersham Primary School
Term dates
Somersham Primary School is a community school, so its term dates are set by Suffolk. Training (INSET) days, when pupils are not in school, vary by school: check the school's own calendar.
2026 to 2027
- Autumn term: Tuesday 1 September to Friday 18 December 2026 (half term Monday 26 October to Friday 30 October 2026)
- Spring term: Monday 4 January to Thursday 25 March 2027 (half term Monday 15 February to Friday 19 February 2027)
- Summer term: Monday 12 April to Wednesday 21 July 2027 (half term Monday 31 May to Friday 4 June 2027)
2027 to 2028
- Autumn term: Wednesday 1 September to Friday 17 December 2027 (half term Monday 25 October to Friday 29 October 2027)
- Spring term: Tuesday 4 January to Friday 31 March 2028 (half term Monday 14 February to Friday 18 February 2028)
- Summer term: Tuesday 18 April to Friday 21 July 2028 (half term Monday 29 May to Friday 2 June 2028)
Getting There
Bus Stops
Free school transport
Check free transport to Somersham Primary School from your postcode →
You apply to the council where you live. Somersham 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)
- Collisions
- 1
- Fatal
- 0
- Serious
- 1
- Children hurt
- 0
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 1 road collision in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 1 serious and 0 slight.
No children aged 0 to 15 were among the people hurt.
1 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included.
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 Somersham Primary School
Will you get a place at Somersham Primary School? Get the admissions report
Your home postcode, set against Somersham Primary School's admissions figures, in one report saved to your account.
What the report includes for Somersham Primary School:
- The straight-line distance from your home to Somersham 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 Somersham Primary School for 2014 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
76%
Available places
80 pupils
105 places
25 spare places in 2025
2025, DfE school capacity data
Area Demand Pressure - Ipswich
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Ipswich
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(7)
Ungraded inspection: Standards have been maintained.
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
17
SEN Support
3
EHC Plans
27.8%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Pupils by Need Type
Pupil Demographics
Ethnicity
2026 academic year
Key Indicators
72
Total Pupils
35
Boys
37
Girls
2026 academic year
Workforce
6
Teachers
12.0:1
Pupil-teacher ratio
£52,560
Mean salary
2026 data
School Funding
£6,962
Per pupil
£619k
Total funding
£17k
Pupil premium
2025-26 financial year allocations
Pupil Absence2024/25
3.7%
Overall absence
5.5%
Persistent absence
73
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
Questions parents ask about Somersham Primary School
What are SATs results like at Somersham Primary School?
Of the pupils at Somersham Primary School who took the 2025 Key Stage 2 assessments, 88% reached the expected standard in reading and 63% did so in maths.
What is Somersham Primary School's Ofsted rating?
Somersham Primary School's most recent Ofsted inspection, in March 2025, was ungraded, so it gave no overall grade. At its last graded inspection, in January 2020, it was rated Good.
What is the catchment area for Somersham Primary School?
No fixed boundary. When Somersham 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 Somersham Primary School?
Somersham Primary School was not full in 2025: it ran at 76% of its 105 places.
How big are the classes at Somersham Primary School?
Classes at Somersham Primary School average 26 pupils (2025/26).
How many pupils go to Somersham Primary School?
Somersham Primary School has around 72 pupils on roll. 11% are eligible for free school meals.
What is attendance like at Somersham Primary School?
3.7% of sessions were missed at Somersham Primary School in 2024/25. 5.5% of pupils were persistently absent (missing 10% or more of sessions).
How do I apply to Somersham Primary School?
Apply through Suffolk's coordinated admissions process, naming Somersham 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.
What are Somersham Primary School's term dates?
Somersham Primary School is a community school, so its term dates are set by Suffolk. In 2026 to 2027: Autumn term: Tuesday 1 September to Friday 18 December 2026 (half term Monday 26 October to Friday 30 October 2026); Spring term: Monday 4 January to Thursday 25 March 2027 (half term Monday 15 February to Friday 19 February 2027); Summer term: Monday 12 April to Wednesday 21 July 2027 (half term Monday 31 May to Friday 4 June 2027). In 2027 to 2028: Autumn term: Wednesday 1 September to Friday 17 December 2027 (half term Monday 25 October to Friday 29 October 2027); Spring term: Tuesday 4 January to Friday 31 March 2028 (half term Monday 14 February to Friday 18 February 2028); Summer term: Tuesday 18 April to Friday 21 July 2028 (half term Monday 29 May to Friday 2 June 2028).
How many road collisions happen near Somersham Primary School?
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 1 road collision in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 1 serious and 0 slight. No children aged 0 to 15 were among the people hurt. 1 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included. The typical figure for schools in Suffolk is 4 (the median across 365 schools, same distance and years).
Where is Somersham Primary School?
Somersham Primary School is at Church Lane, Lower Somersham, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP8 4PN.
Sources: Suffolk term dates; Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)