Thorndon Church of England Primary School, Eye

Ofsted's report card from its 20 January 2026 inspection grades Thorndon Church of England Primary School on 7 areas: 6 strong standard and 1 expected standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Attendance and behaviour - Strong standard. "Pupils' attendance is high."

Curriculum and teaching - Strong standard. "Since the school reopened as an academy, leaders have overseen steady improvement in the quality of the curriculum."

Early years - Strong standard. "The early years provision is ambitious for children."

Inclusion - Strong standard. "This is a highly inclusive school."

Leadership and governance - Strong standard. "The trust and governing body have worked closely together to improve the school over the last few years."

Personal development and wellbeing - Strong standard. "Leaders have ensured that there is a well‑developed and effectively delivered programme of personal, social and health education, including relationships and health education."

Achievement - Expected standard. "Pupils achieve well across the curriculum."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "• Leaders should further strengthen the teaching of writing so that more pupils achieve the higher standard by the end of Year 6, in line with their achievement in reading".

In its own words: "We are Located in the village of Thorndon, near Eye in Suffolk, since 1874 the school has faithfully served the children and their families from the local community and surrounding area. Thorndon Primary School is a small, friendly, welcoming and inclusive village school for children aged 4 -11 years old."

From the headteacher's welcome: "We believe our school is a happy "family school" with high expectations, is forward-thinking and has a caring atmosphere and an exciting, challenging curriculum, but above all, a school that children really want to come to! We firmly believe working alongside our parents in partnership and parental involvement in the children's education is actively encouraged."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include multi-sports, dance, Lego and film.

The school runs a breakfast club from 7:45am and after-school care, from £4 per session.

In 2025, 82% of Year 6 pupils at Thorndon Church of England Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 91% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 75% and 72% in Suffolk and 77% and 75% across England.

Results rose from 75% in reading and 63% in maths in 2024.

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

For September 2026 entry, 6 families put Thorndon Church of England Primary School as their first choice and 15 named it as one of their preferences, for 6 places offered. That is one first choice for every place. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state primary schools to Thorndon Church of England Primary School are Occold Primary School (1.1 miles, Good, 69% reading, 69% maths); Wetheringsett Church of England Primary School (2.1 miles, Good); St Peter and St Paul Church of England Primary School, Eye (2.6 miles, Good, 83% reading, 73% maths); and Mendlesham Primary School (3.5 miles, Good, 71% reading, 65% maths).

Thorndon Church of England Primary School's 2025 results were higher than all 3 of them.

Thorndon Church of England Primary School is one of 16 schools run by All Saints Schools Trust, an academy trust.

Across the trust's primary schools, 55% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths in 2024/25.

24 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Thorndon Church of England Primary School (as of April 2026): 100% would recommend the school, 100% say their child is happy there and 100% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (100%); the weakest, that they are kept well informed about progress (96%).

3.4% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 18 pupils (31%) received SEN support and 6 (10.3%) 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.

Thorndon Church of England Primary School had 5 teachers in 2026, one for every 11 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical primary school, at about one for every 20.

There is no railway, tram or Underground station within about three miles of Thorndon Church of England Primary School.

2 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Church (adjacent), 100 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 3 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences and criminal damage and arson. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Suffolk (32).

In 2024/25, Thorndon Church of England Primary School issued 3 suspensions, 5.8 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.