Gunton Primary Academy

About Gunton Primary Academy

Gunton Primary Academy holds a Good rating from Ofsted, a status confirmed in its most recent ungraded inspection in 2024. The school’s most informative exam metric is the proportion of Year 6 pupils reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, which stood at 66% in the 2023/24 academic year. That figure places the school comfortably above the Suffolk local authority average of 58% and ranks it 23rd out of 72 primary schools in East Suffolk. Nationally, it sits in the 41st percentile among all primaries. The school’s journey from a Requires Improvement rating in 2015 to Good in its graded inspection of 2018, and the subsequent confirmation that it remains Good, points to sustained improvement under headteacher Kirsten Stone.

Looking more closely at the Key Stage 2 results, reading is a particular strength: 82% of pupils met the expected standard and 43% reached the higher standard, with an average score of 107. In maths, 75% met the expected standard and 27% reached the higher standard, with an average score of 105. Writing saw 80% reach the expected standard and 20% the higher standard. The proportion reaching the higher standard across all three subjects combined was 9%. The school has no published progress scores for reading, writing or maths, so it is not possible to measure how much value it adds relative to pupils’ starting points. However, the attainment picture is strong, especially given that 33.6% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, a figure well above the national average.

Gunton is a three-form entry primary with nursery provision for children aged three and above. It was oversubscribed for 2025/26 entry, receiving 43 applications for 26 places, with all 26 first-preference applicants offered a spot. Facilities include playing fields, a forest school, a gymnasium, an outdoor playground and a chapel. Sports on offer are gymnastics, rounders, tennis, football and cross country, while clubs include drama, art, eco and book club. The school’s SEND provisions cover specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia, moderate learning difficulties, social emotional and mental health needs, speech language and communication needs, and autistic spectrum disorder. For families in East Suffolk, Gunton represents a solid, improving primary that delivers above-average outcomes despite a high level of disadvantage, and it is a realistic option for those seeking a Good-rated school with strong reading results.

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