Classpot

Pakefield High School

East Suffolk, NR33 7AQSecondaryAges 11–16MixedState
Ofsted Rating
Good
Sep 2023
Progress 8
-0.53
Well below average
−20+2
Competition
1.0×
Not oversubscribed
155 1st-choice / 158 places
Ranking
#2,646
of 3,141 nationally

About Pakefield High School

Pakefield High School is a popular choice among local families, with 255 applications for 158 places in the 2025/26 admissions round, giving an oversubscription ratio of 1.61. Of those applications, 155 were first-preference offers, suggesting strong local demand. The school is a mixed, non-selective state secondary for pupils aged 11 to 16, with no sixth form. It has a high proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals at 38.9%, well above the national average, and the headteacher is Philip Dougherty. While the school does not publish a parent-view recommendation percentage, the oversubscription figures indicate that many families in the East Suffolk area actively choose it.

Key Details

School TypeSecondary (State)
Age Range11 to 16 years
GenderMixed
Religious CharacterDoes not apply
AddressLondon Road Pakefield, Lowestoft, East Suffolk, NR33 7AQ
HeadteacherPhilip Dougherty
Local AuthoritySuffolk
Number of Pupils701
Free School Meals (FSM)38.9%
School Capacity701 / 900 (78% 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

27 Sept 2023
View Report
Overall Effectiveness
Good
Quality of Education
Good
Behaviour & Attitudes
Good
Personal Development
Good
Leadership & Management
Good

Source: Ofsted, 9 Nov 2023. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.

Facilities

9
Dining HallSports HallSwimming PoolMusic RoomsArt StudiosPlaying FieldsGymnasiumTennis CourtsChapel

Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.

Extracurriculars

17

Sports

SwimmingFootballRowingRugbyCross CountryRoundersDance

Clubs & Activities

DramaDuke of EdinburghArt ClubEco ClubChoirNewspaperFilm ClubYoung EnterpriseCodingGardening

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

SEND Support

AutismDyslexiaMental HealthSpeech & LanguageHearingVisionPhysicalLearning DifficultyMulti-SensoryOther

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

School day

Verified

Teaching hours

08:30 – 15:00

Source: pakefield.org.uk. Extracted automatically — confirm with the school before relying on these times.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Pakefield High School

Pakefield 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.