Rattlesden Church of England Primary Academy

About Rattlesden Church of England Primary Academy

Rattlesden Church of England Primary Academy is a school that local families clearly want to get into. For the 2025/26 intake, the school received 27 applications for just 15 places, giving an oversubscription ratio of 1.8. All 14 first-preference applicants were offered a spot, meaning the remaining 13 applicants who listed it lower on their form missed out. That level of demand is a strong signal from parents who know the school well. The school is a state primary for mixed genders aged 4 to 11, with 137 pupils on roll against a capacity of 140. It sits in the Mid Suffolk area of Suffolk and has a Church of England religious character. Headteacher Gemma Cannon leads a school that Ofsted, in its most recent ungraded inspection in May 2024, confirmed remains Good – a rating it has held consistently across its previous graded inspections.

Academically, Rattlesden performs above the local authority average. In the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 results, 64% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared with a Suffolk average of 58%. Reading was a particular strength: the average scaled score was 108, and 45% of pupils achieved the higher standard. Maths also performed well, with an average score of 104 and 82% reaching the expected level. Writing was slightly lower, with 73% at expected and just 9% at the higher standard. The school ranks 13th out of 39 primary schools in the Mid Suffolk local authority area, placing it in the top third locally. Nationally, it sits in the 47th percentile. There is no progress score data available for reading, writing or maths, so it is not possible to say how much value the school adds relative to pupils’ starting points.

The school offers a solid set of facilities for a village primary, including a sensory room, an ICT suite, playing fields, an outdoor playground and a chapel. Sports provision covers rounders, cricket, cross country and athletics, while clubs include book club, art club, coding and science club. The school has identified SEND support for specific learning difficulties including dyslexia, moderate learning difficulty, speech, language and communication needs, and hearing impairment. With a 16.8% pupil premium rate, the school serves a broadly mixed intake. For families who value a Church of England ethos, strong reading outcomes and a school that is genuinely in demand locally, Rattlesden is a compelling option. The lack of nursery provision means children join in Reception, and oversubscription means applying as a first preference is essential.

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