Bentley Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School

About Bentley Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School

Bentley Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School is a small state primary in Babergh, Suffolk, and it is exceptionally popular with local families. In the 2025/26 admissions round, the school received 22 applications for just one available place, giving an oversubscription ratio of 22 to one. That level of demand, combined with the fact that only one first-preference offer was made, suggests that securing a place here is highly competitive and that the school is a first-choice destination for many parents in the area. While the Department for Education does not publish a parent-view survey result for this school, the sheer volume of applications relative to capacity — the school has space for 56 pupils but currently rolls just 44 — points to strong local reputation and trust.

Academically, the school’s most recent Ofsted inspection in 2024 judged it Good overall, with Good ratings for leadership and management, early years provision, and the quality of education. This is a notable improvement from its previous graded inspection in 2015, when it was rated Requires Improvement. At Key Stage 2, 44% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, which is below the Suffolk local authority average of 58%. However, the school’s average reading score of 105 and maths score of 100 are both in line with national expectations, and 22% of pupils achieved the higher standard in reading and writing. Nationally, the school ranks in the bottom half of primaries for combined expected attainment, but its small cohort size means individual results can have a disproportionate impact on percentages.

The school offers a range of facilities including a Forest School, music rooms, an ICT suite, art studios and a chapel, alongside clubs such as gardening, science, film, art, drama and eco club. Sports provision includes cross country, swimming, cricket and athletics. For children with additional needs, the school lists support for specific learning difficulties (dyslexia), social, emotional and mental health needs, speech, language and communication needs, and autistic spectrum disorder. With only 44 pupils on roll and a Church of England character, Bentley is best suited to families who value a small, community-focused setting where their child is likely to be well-known by staff. The nearest outstanding-rated alternative is Copdock Primary School, 4.7 km away, which may be worth considering if oversubscription proves a barrier.

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