West Row Academy, Bury St. Edmunds

Ofsted's report card from its 6 May 2026 inspection grades West Row Academy on 7 areas: 1 strong standard and 6 expected standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Leadership and governance - Strong standard. "In recent years, leaders have significantly and rapidly improved the quality of the school's provision for pupils."

Achievement - Expected standard. "In recent years pupils' achievement has improved markedly."

Attendance and behaviour - Expected standard. "Pupils enjoy coming to school."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "An ambitious and well-organised curriculum has been put in place since the previous inspection."

Early years - Expected standard. "There is effective leadership of the early years foundation stage at every level, including in relation to care practices."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "Staff want every pupil to feel part of the school community and to achieve success in all they do."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "Pupils at West Row are supported to develop qualities that prepare them for future life."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should ensure that the goals that staff set for pupils are consistently precise and measurable so that pupils' progress towards these goals can be checked, and any necessary adjustments made to support such progress"; "Leaders should ensure that the curriculum is taught consistently well across all key stages and subjects so that pupils gain the breadth and depth of knowledge they need to achieve highly"; "Leaders should ensure that staff consistently and rigorously check pupils' learning in lessons so that any gaps and misconceptions are addressed quickly"; "Leaders should broaden even further the range of clubs, trips and events for pupils and ensure that pupils' participation in these opportunities is maximised, including for disadvantaged pupils and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities"; "Leaders should build on the school's work to support pupils who find it hard to focus on their learning, by ensuring that these pupils receive teaching and support that is consistently effective".

In its own words: "Our logo, the chest surrounded by treasure, denotes the Mildenhall Treasure, which was found within West Row. At West Row Academy, our children are our treasures. We put the children at the heart of all that we do. We want children to feel happy, safe and secure; building strong foundations from which our children can boundlessly grow."

From the headteacher's welcome: "West Row Academy is situated in the village of West Row , just outside Mildenhall Town . The school has long been part of the fabric of the local community, and this heritage is reflected in our curriculum , values, and ethos ."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include football, gymnastics, dance and gardening.

The school runs a breakfast club and after-school care.

In 2025, 81% of Year 6 pupils at West Row Academy reached the expected standard in reading and 76% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 75% and 72% in Suffolk and 77% and 75% across England.

Results rose from 67% in reading and 75% in maths in 2024.

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

For September 2026 entry, 21 families put West Row Academy as their first choice and 31 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 West Row Academy are Beck Row Primary Academy (1.6 miles, Good, 79% reading, 75% maths); Isleham Church of England Primary School (2.1 miles, Good, 83% reading, 80% maths); Great Heath Academy (2.5 miles, Good, 64% reading, 71% maths); and St Mary's Church of England Academy (2.5 miles, Requires improvement, 53% reading, 49% maths).

West Row Academy's 2025 results were higher than 3 of these 4 schools.

West Row Academy is one of 40 schools run by Unity Schools Partnership, an academy trust.

Across the trust's primary schools, 70% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths in 2024/25.

5.3% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (80%) and Mixed (6%).

In 2026, 30 pupils (14.4%) received SEN support and 25 (12%) 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.

West Row Academy has a SEN unit for severe learning difficulties: 24 places, 22 pupils on roll.

There is no railway, tram or Underground station within about three miles of West Row Academy.

4 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Blenheim Close (adjacent), 120 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 4 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Suffolk (32).

In 2024/25, West Row Academy issued 3 suspensions, 1.5 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.