Gusford Community Primary School
84%
Capacity
531
Pupils
1.7x
Demand
About Gusford Community Primary School
Gusford Community Primary School is a state-funded Does not apply primary school serving the Ipswich community, welcoming children from age 4 to 11. The school has 531 pupils on roll and is well-filled (84% of 630 places). Nursery provision is also available on site.
Ofsted has rated Gusford Community Primary School "Good", the school is led by headteacher Stephen Tapley, it falls under Suffolk local authority.
In terms of academic performance, 55% of pupils met the expected standard in Reading, Writing and Maths at KS2 — close to the national average. Additionally, ranked 9535th out of 13,686 schools in England. Additionally, 16th out of 27 in Ipswich.
Gusford Community Primary School is a popular choice with families — it received 83 applications for 50 places, making it 1.7x oversubscribed. Of these, 48 were first-preference applications.
Gusford Community Primary School has mixed reviews on SchoolParrot (2.6/5 from 1 parents), and parent feedback on Ofsted Parent View is very positive, with 94% recommending the school (131 responses).
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 Gusford Community Primary School include Music Rooms, Library, Art Studios, Playing Fields, Sensory Room, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Athletics, Netball, Rounders, Swimming and 3 more, as well as clubs including Science Club, Art Club, Coding, Film Club and 2 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 33.9%, which is well above the national average for primary schools in England.
For families exploring primary schools in Ipswich, Gusford Community Primary 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 | Primary (State) |
| Age Range | 4 to 11 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Does not apply |
| Address | Sheldrake Drive, Ipswich, Ipswich, IP2 9LQ |
| Headteacher | Stephen Tapley |
| Local Authority | Suffolk |
| Number of Pupils | 531 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 33.9% |
| School Capacity | 531 / 630 (84% full) |
| Nursery Classes | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
12 Nov 2024Quality of Education
Good
Since Sep 2024, Ofsted no longer assigns a single overall grade
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 12 Jan 2025. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths (55%)
9535th of 13,686
Nationally
1046th of 1,612
In East of England
16th of 27
In Ipswich
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths data
KS2 SATs Results
2023/24Reading, Writing & Maths Combined
55%
Expected Standard
1%
Higher Standard
'22/23
48%
'23/24
55%
Source: Department for Education, 2023/24. National expected standard benchmark is around 65%.
Ofsted Parent View
131 responsesWould Recommend This School
Source: Ofsted Parent View (GOV.UK statistical data), Sep – Sep 2025
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
6Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
13Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed50
83
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
48 families put this school as their 1st choice (58% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Gusford Community Primary School
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
How to Choose a Primary School
Step-by-step guide to choosing the right primary school
KS2 SATs Explained
A parent's guide to Year 6 SATs and how results are reported
SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights
Contact Information
Sheldrake Drive, Ipswich
Ipswich, IP2 9LQ
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Reviews on Other Platforms
External reviews are provided by third-party platforms and are not verified by Classpot.
Opening Hours
Parent Reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to share your experience at Gusford Community Primary School!
Write a Review