Beccles High School
40%
Capacity
238
Pupils
2.1x
Demand
About Beccles High School
Beccles High School is a state-funded None secondary school serving the East Suffolk community, welcoming children from age 11 to 16. The school has 238 pupils on roll and is with plenty of spare capacity (40% of 600 places).
Ofsted has rated Beccles High School "Requires Improvement", the school is led by headteacher Christopher Barns, it falls under Suffolk local authority.
In terms of academic performance, its Progress 8 score of -1.15 is well below the national average. Additionally, Attainment 8 is developing at 30.9. Additionally, ranked 3066th out of 3,141 schools in England. Additionally, 12th out of 12 in East Suffolk.
Beccles High School is a popular choice with families — it received 58 applications for 28 places, making it 2.1x oversubscribed. Of these, 28 were first-preference applications.
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 8 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), Moderate Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional & Mental Health and 5 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at Beccles High School include Dining Hall, Playing Fields, Library, Science Labs, Music Rooms, ICT Suite, Astro Turf.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Badminton, Football, Cricket, Hockey and 5 more, as well as clubs including Debate, Newspaper, Book Club, Orchestra and 1 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 50.4%, which is well above the national average for secondary schools in England.
For families exploring secondary schools in East Suffolk, Beccles High School is one of the options available in the East of England region. Use Classpot to compare it side-by-side with nearby alternatives and find the best fit for your child.
Key Details
| School Type | Secondary (State) |
| Age Range | 11 to 16 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | None |
| Address | Castle Hill, Beccles, East Suffolk, NR34 7BQ |
| Headteacher | Christopher Barns |
| Local Authority | Suffolk |
| Number of Pupils | 238 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 50.4% |
| School Capacity | 238 / 600 (40% full) |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
7 Feb 2024Overall Effectiveness
Requires improvement
Source: Ofsted, 19 Mar 2024. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (-1.15)
3066th of 3,141
Nationally
343rd of 350
In East of England
12th of 12
In East Suffolk
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE Progress 8 data
GCSE Results
2023/24Progress 8 Score
Students make significantly less progress than similar students nationally
Attainment 8 (vs national avg)
Students achieve significantly higher grades than the national average
Source: Department for Education, 2023/24. Progress 8 compares to students with similar Key Stage 2 results.
SEND Support
SEN UnitSource: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
7Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
14Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed28
58
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
28 families put this school as their 1st choice (48% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Beccles High School
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
Understanding Progress 8
Learn how Progress 8 measures pupil progress from primary to GCSE
SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights
Understanding School Catchment Areas
How admission distances work and tips for maximising your choices
Contact Information
Castle Hill, Beccles
East Suffolk, NR34 7BQ
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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