Boxford Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School

About Boxford Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School

Boxford Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School sits in the top half of Suffolk primary schools, but its headline Key Stage 2 results are notably stronger than the local authority average. The school achieved a 67 per cent expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared with the Suffolk average of 58 per cent. That gap of nine percentage points is meaningful, and it places Boxford in the 38th percentile nationally — solidly above the median. In reading, 76 per cent of pupils met the expected standard and the average scaled score was 108, while in maths the equivalent figures were 67 per cent and a score of 104. The proportion reaching the higher standard in reading was 38 per cent, and 24 per cent did so in both maths and writing. The school ranks 13th out of 34 primaries in Babergh, and 59th out of 253 across Suffolk as a whole, putting it comfortably in the upper quarter of the county.

Ofsted last inspected Boxford in October 2024 and judged it Good overall, though personal development was rated Outstanding. The inspection report noted that behaviour and attitudes, quality of education, and leadership and management were all Good, with early years provision also Good. This represents a change from the school’s previous inspection in 2012, when it was rated Outstanding across the board. The parent view survey, based on 52 responses collected between September 2024 and September 2025, shows strong satisfaction: 83 per cent would recommend the school, and 87 per cent agreed or strongly agreed that their child is happy. However, there are some areas of concern — 22 per cent disagreed that concerns are dealt with properly, and 17 per cent disagreed that the school supports wider personal development. The school has 179 pupils against a capacity of 210, and 11.2 per cent are eligible for free school meals.

Boxford is a Church of England voluntary controlled primary for children aged 4 to 11, with headteacher Emma Lea. It was oversubscribed for the 2025/26 intake, receiving 35 applications for 22 places, with all 22 first-preference applicants offered a spot. The school offers a broad range of facilities including a sports hall, playing fields, library, ICT suite, art studios, forest school and a chapel. Clubs include science, gardening, choir, art and coding, while sports on offer are football, cricket, dance, swimming, tennis and athletics. The school’s SEND provision covers eight categories, including autistic spectrum disorder, speech and language needs, and social, emotional and mental health support. This is a school that suits families who value strong academic outcomes relative to the local area, a clear Christian character, and a setting that is popular enough to be oversubscribed but still accessible to local first-preference applicants.

Key Details

Frequently Asked Questions About Boxford Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School

Helpful Guides for Parents