Bury St Edmunds County High School
72%
Capacity
739
Pupils
2.3x
Demand
About Bury St Edmunds County High School
Bury St Edmunds County High School is a state-funded Does not apply secondary school serving the West Suffolk community, welcoming children from age 11 to 16. The school has 739 pupils on roll, operating at 72% capacity.
Ofsted has rated Bury St Edmunds County High School "Good", the school is led by headteacher Sally Kennedy, it falls under Suffolk local authority.
In terms of academic performance, its Progress 8 score of -0.09 is below the national average. Additionally, Attainment 8 is solid at 46.2. Additionally, sixth form students achieve an average A-Level grade of B. Additionally, ranked 1749th out of 3,141 schools in England. Additionally, 3rd out of 12 in West Suffolk.
Bury St Edmunds County High School is a popular choice with families — it received 228 applications for 98 places, making it 2.3x oversubscribed. Of these, 76 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 Bury St Edmunds County High School include Sixth Form Centre, Tennis Courts, Library, Swimming Pool, Dining Hall, Sports Hall, Astro Turf, Science Labs, Art Studios, Playing Fields, Gymnasium, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Hockey, Cricket, Tennis, Rugby and 4 more, as well as clubs including Chess, Debate, Drama, Eco Club and 3 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 24.1%, which is close to the national average for secondary schools in England.
For families exploring secondary schools in West Suffolk, Bury St Edmunds County 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 | Does not apply |
| Address | Beetons Way, Bury St Edmunds, West Suffolk, IP32 6RF |
| Headteacher | Sally Kennedy |
| Local Authority | Suffolk |
| Number of Pupils | 739 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 24.1% |
| School Capacity | 739 / 1,020 (72% full) |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
15 Mar 2022Overall Effectiveness
Good
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 15 May 2022. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (-0.09)
1749th of 3,141
Nationally
199th of 350
In East of England
3rd of 12
In West Suffolk
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE Progress 8 data
GCSE Results
2023/24Progress 8 Score
Students make similar progress to students nationally with the same starting point
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.
A-Level Results
2023/24Average Points per Entry
Value Added Score
Best 3 A-Levels (Average)
'21/22
33.3
'22/23
29.2
'23/24
41.1
Source: Department for Education 16-18 Performance Tables, 2023/24. Value Added measures progress compared to students with similar GCSE results.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
12Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
15Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed98
228
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
76 families put this school as their 1st choice (33% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bury St Edmunds County 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
Beetons Way, Bury St Edmunds
West Suffolk, IP32 6RF
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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