Classpot

Debenham High School

Mid Suffolk, IP14 6BLSecondaryAges 11–16MixedState
Ofsted Rating
Good
Mar 2023
Progress 8
+0.76
Well above average
−20+2
Competition
1.1×
Oversubscribed
155 1st-choice / 135 places
Ranking
🏆Top 10%
#215 of 3,141 nationally

About Debenham High School

Debenham High School’s headline Progress 8 score of 0.76 sits well above the Suffolk local authority average of -0.17 for state secondary schools, marking it out as a significantly stronger performer than most of its peers. In fact, it ranks first out of 48 schools of the same type in the county, and its Progress 8 banding is officially classed as ‘well above average’. Nationally, it places in the top seven per cent of all secondary schools. This is a Church of England mixed secondary for 11-to-16-year-olds, with no sixth form, and it is currently oversubscribed: for the 2025/26 intake, 251 families applied for 135 places, with 155 listing it as their first preference. The school’s most recent Ofsted inspection, in 2023, rated it Good overall, with Outstanding marks for both personal development and behaviour and attitudes — a clear sign that the academic strength is matched by a strong culture.

Key Details

School TypeSecondary (State)
Age Range11 to 16 years
GenderMixed
Religious CharacterChurch of England
AddressGracechurch Street, Stowmarket, Mid Suffolk, IP14 6BL
HeadteacherSimon Martin
Local AuthoritySuffolk
Number of Pupils699
Free School Meals (FSM)13.0%
School Capacity699 / 625 (112% full)

The full report on this school

The inspection in plain English, admissions context, and how this school compares to nearby alternatives — all in one full school report.

  • Ofsted inspection in plain English
    Strengths, concerns and what inspectors flagged
  • Parent View survey results
    What parents told Ofsted — when the school has 10+ responses
  • Where Ofsted and parents disagree
    Gaps to probe + questions to ask at the open day
  • Admissions & catchment
    Admission criteria, distance cutoffs (where the LA publishes them)
  • Nearby schools compared
    Backup options with Ofsted, demand and distance
  • Attendance & behaviour data
    Persistent absentees, suspensions and exclusions vs national
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Ofsted Inspection Breakdown

2 Mar 2023
View Report
Overall Effectiveness
Good
Quality of Education
Good
Behaviour & Attitudes
Outstanding
Personal Development
Outstanding
Leadership & Management
Good

Source: Ofsted, 2 May 2023. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.

Facilities

10
Sports HallSwimming PoolTheatreICT SuiteScience LabsLibraryGymnasiumMusic RoomsArt StudiosChapel

Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.

Extracurriculars

12

Sports

TennisHockeyRoundersBasketballAthleticsMartial ArtsCross Country

Clubs & Activities

DramaChoirFilm ClubModel United NationsYoung Enterprise

Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.

SEND Support

AutismDyslexiaMental HealthSpeech & LanguageHearingLearning DifficultyOther

Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.

School day

Verified

Teaching hours

09:05 – 15:45

After-school care

15:50-16:55

Source: debenhamhighschool.suffolk.sch.uk. Extracted automatically — confirm with the school before relying on these times.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Debenham High School

Debenham High School has been rated "Good" by Ofsted. This means the school provides a good standard of education and effectively supports all pupils to succeed.