Mendham Primary School

About Mendham Primary School

Parents considering Mendham Primary School will find a small, sought-after village school where demand comfortably outstrips supply. For the 2025/26 reception intake, the school received 11 applications for just 6 places, giving an oversubscription ratio of 1.83, and all 6 first-preference offers were taken up. That level of competition suggests strong local confidence, though the school doesn't publish a formal parent-view survey percentage to back that up directly. With only 63 pupils on roll against a capacity of 80, it's not bursting at the seams, but the first-preference figures show that families who want a place here tend to get one if they apply early enough. The school is led by headteacher Henry Huxtable and sits in the Mid Suffolk area of Suffolk, with a non-religious character and nursery provision for children from age 3.

Academically, Mendham performs well above the local average. In the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 assessments, 78% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared with a Suffolk local authority average of just 58%. Reading was a particular strength: 89% met the expected standard and 44% reached the higher standard, while maths saw 78% at expected and 11% at higher. The school's average reading score was 108 and maths 103. No pupils achieved the higher standard in writing or in the combined RWM measure. Nationally, Mendham ranks in the top 14% of primary schools, and within the East of England it sits in the top 11%. Its most recent Ofsted inspection in June 2024 confirmed the school remains Good, upgrading from a Requires Improvement rating in its previous graded inspection back in 2013. Leadership and management were also judged Good.

The school offers a solid range of facilities including a library, art studios, playing fields and a Forest School, plus a chapel on site. Sports provision covers netball, gymnastics, cross country, athletics, cricket and rounders, while clubs extend to drama, film, gardening, choir, chess and eco club. For families with children who have additional needs, the school lists SEND provision for specific learning difficulties including dyslexia, moderate learning difficulty, social emotional and mental health needs, speech language and communication needs, and hearing impairment. Given its small size, strong academic outcomes and rural Suffolk setting, Mendham is likely to suit families who want a close-knit, community-focused primary with good results and a clear upward trajectory in its Ofsted rating. The oversubscription means early application is advisable.

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