St Benedict's Catholic School
115%
Capacity
976
Pupils
2.5x
Demand
About St Benedict's Catholic School
St Benedict's Catholic School is a state-funded Roman Catholic secondary school serving the West Suffolk community, welcoming children from age 11 to 18. The school has 976 pupils on roll and is near full capacity (115% of 852 places).
Ofsted has rated St Benedict's Catholic School "Good", the school is led by headteacher Imogen Senior, it falls under Suffolk local authority.
In terms of academic performance, its Progress 8 score of +0.17 is above the national average. Additionally, Attainment 8 is solid at 51.1. Additionally, sixth form students achieve an average A-Level grade of C+. Additionally, ranked 1149th out of 3,141 schools in England. Additionally, 1st out of 12 in West Suffolk.
St Benedict's Catholic School is a popular choice with families — it received 408 applications for 160 places, making it 2.5x oversubscribed. Of these, 232 were first-preference applications.
St Benedict's Catholic School parent feedback on Ofsted Parent View is very positive, with 90% recommending the school (253 responses).
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 10 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), Moderate Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional & Mental Health and 7 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at St Benedict's Catholic School include Swimming Pool, Astro Turf, Tennis Courts, Sports Hall, Playing Fields, Music Rooms, Chapel, Sixth Form Centre.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Athletics, Rowing, Badminton, Dance and 5 more, as well as clubs including Gardening, Newspaper, Choir, Coding and 6 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 12.4%, which is well below the national average for secondary schools in England.
For families exploring secondary schools in West Suffolk, St Benedict's Catholic 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 | Secondary (State) |
| Age Range | 11 to 18 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Roman Catholic |
| Address | Beetons Way, Bury St Edmunds, West Suffolk, IP32 6RH |
| Headteacher | Imogen Senior |
| Local Authority | Suffolk |
| Number of Pupils | 976 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 12.4% |
| School Capacity | 976 / 852 (115% full) |
| Sixth Form | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
4 Jun 2025Overall Effectiveness
Good
Latest inspection (4 Jun 2025): Standards maintained
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 9 Nov 2016. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (+0.17)
1149th of 3,141
Nationally
123rd of 350
In East of England
1st of 12
In West Suffolk
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE Progress 8 data
GCSE Results
2023/24Progress 8 Score
Students make more progress than similar students nationally
Attainment 8 (vs national avg)
Students achieve significantly higher grades than the national average
Source: Department for Education, 2023/24. Progress 8 compares to students with similar Key Stage 2 results.
A-Level Results
2023/24Average Points per Entry
Value Added Score
Best 3 A-Levels (Average)
'21/22
41.5
'22/23
36.5
'23/24
34.8
Source: Department for Education 16-18 Performance Tables, 2023/24. Value Added measures progress compared to students with similar GCSE results.
Ofsted Parent View
253 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
8Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
19Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed160
408
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
232 families put this school as their 1st choice (57% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About St Benedict's Catholic School
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
Understanding Progress 8
Learn how Progress 8 measures pupil progress from primary to GCSE
SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights
Understanding School Catchment Areas
How admission distances work and tips for maximising your choices
Contact Information
Beetons Way, Bury St Edmunds
West Suffolk, IP32 6RH
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
Parent Reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to share your experience at St Benedict's Catholic School!
Write a Review