Classpot

Stowmarket High School

Mid Suffolk, IP14 1QRSecondaryAges 11–18MixedState
Ofsted Inspection
Ofsted inspected
4 Good
Jun 2025
Progress 8
-0.03
Below average
−20+2
Competition
1.1×
Oversubscribed
214 1st-choice / 186 places
Ranking
#1,591
of 3,141 nationally

About Stowmarket High School

Stowmarket High School sits within the Suffolk local authority, a large county with 48 secondary schools where only one holds an Outstanding Ofsted rating. In the Mid Suffolk district specifically, the school ranks 4th out of 7 schools when measured by Progress 8, placing it just behind the top three peers: Debenham High School, Stradbroke High School, and Northgate High School. Its Progress 8 score of -0.03 is notably above the Suffolk local authority average of -0.17, meaning pupils here make slightly better progress than the typical student across the county. The school is led by headteacher Lucie Hernandez and caters to 896 pupils aged 11 to 18, though it has capacity for 1203. It is a mixed, non-religious state secondary with a sixth form and no nursery provision. The school is oversubscribed for 2025/26 entry, receiving 291 applications for 186 places, with 181 first-preference offers made from 214 first-preference applications.

Key Details

School TypeSecondary (State)
Age Range11 to 18 years
GenderMixed
Religious CharacterDoes not apply
AddressOnehouse Road, Stowmarket, Mid Suffolk, IP14 1QR
HeadteacherLucie Hernandez
Local AuthoritySuffolk
Number of Pupils896
Free School Meals (FSM)21.5%
School Capacity896 / 1,203 (74% full)
Sixth FormYes

The full report on this school

What 233 parents told Ofsted, the inspection in plain English, 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

10 Jun 2025
View Report
Quality of Education
Good
Behaviour & Attitudes
Good
Personal Development
Good
Leadership & Management
Outstanding

From September 2024, Ofsted no longer assigns a single overall grade in inspections of state-funded schools.

Source: Ofsted, 13 Jul 2025. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.

Facilities

9
TheatreMusic RoomsDining HallICT SuiteSwimming PoolSports HallPlaying FieldsSixth Form CentreChapel

Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.

Extracurriculars

15

Sports

CricketDanceBadmintonRugbyRowingBasketball

Clubs & Activities

Duke of EdinburghOrchestraChoirGardeningDramaDebateModel United NationsChessYoung Enterprise

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

SEND Support

AutismDyslexiaMental HealthSpeech & LanguageVisionPhysicalLearning DifficultyOther

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

School day

Verified

Teaching hours

08:50 – 15:10

Source: stowhigh.com. Extracted automatically — confirm with the school before relying on these times.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Stowmarket High School

Stowmarket 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.