Thurston Community College
82%
Capacity
1,484
Pupils
1.5x
Demand
About Thurston Community College
Thurston Community College is a state-funded Does not apply secondary school serving the Mid Suffolk community, welcoming children from age 11 to 18. The school has 1,484 pupils on roll and is well-filled (82% of 1,800 places).
Ofsted has rated Thurston Community College "Good", the school is led by headteacher Maéve Taylor, it falls under Suffolk local authority.
In terms of academic performance, its Progress 8 score of -0.16 is below the national average. Additionally, Attainment 8 is developing at 44.4. Additionally, sixth form students achieve an average A-Level grade of B-. Additionally, ranked 1917th out of 3,141 schools in England. Additionally, 6th out of 7 in Mid Suffolk.
Thurston Community College is a popular choice with families — it received 417 applications for 286 places, making it 1.5x oversubscribed. Of these, 268 were first-preference applications.
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 8 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), Moderate Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional & Mental Health and 5 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at Thurston Community College include Swimming Pool, Theatre, Science Labs, Gymnasium, Music Rooms, Sports Hall, Tennis Courts, Dining Hall, Chapel, Sixth Form Centre.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Cross Country, Cricket, Football, Rowing and 6 more, as well as clubs including Young Enterprise, Science Club, Coding, Newspaper and 5 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 17.7%, which is below the national average for secondary schools in England.
For families exploring secondary schools in Mid Suffolk, Thurston Community College 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 | Does not apply |
| Address | Norton Road, Bury St Edmunds, Mid Suffolk, IP31 3PB |
| Headteacher | Maéve Taylor |
| Local Authority | Suffolk |
| Number of Pupils | 1,484 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 17.7% |
| School Capacity | 1,484 / 1,800 (82% full) |
| Sixth Form | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
6 Mar 2024Overall Effectiveness
Good
Latest inspection (6 Mar 2024): School remains Good
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 1 May 2018. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (-0.16)
1917th of 3,141
Nationally
225th of 350
In East of England
6th of 7
In Mid Suffolk
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE Progress 8 data
GCSE Results
2023/24Progress 8 Score
Students make less 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
38.5
'22/23
31.1
'23/24
35.9
Source: Department for Education 16-18 Performance Tables, 2023/24. Value Added measures progress compared to students with similar GCSE results.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
10Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
19Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed286
417
Balanced
Applications roughly match available places
268 families put this school as their 1st choice (64% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Thurston Community College
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
Norton Road, Bury St Edmunds
Mid Suffolk, IP31 3PB
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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