Classpot

Westbourne Academy

Ipswich, IP1 5JNSecondaryAges 11–16MixedState
Ofsted Inspection
Ofsted inspected
4 Requires improvement
Jun 2025
Progress 8
-0.38
Below average
−20+2
Competition
0.8×
Not oversubscribed
157 1st-choice / 202 places
Ranking
#2,412
of 3,141 nationally

About Westbourne Academy

Westbourne Academy in Ipswich is a mixed 11-16 state secondary that currently educates 1,038 pupils against a capacity of 1,120, leaving it slightly below its maximum. The school serves a community with a high level of disadvantage: 38.7% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the national average. Demand for places is modestly oversubscribed — for the 2025/26 intake, the school received 227 applications for 202 places, with 157 first-preference offers made. That oversubscription ratio of 1.12 suggests it’s a popular choice locally, though not fiercely competitive. The school has no religious character and no sixth form or nursery provision, so pupils leave at 16. Headteacher Martin Higgon leads a school that, in its most recent Ofsted inspection in June 2025, was rated Inadequate overall, with all four key areas — quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management — each judged Inadequate. This is a significant downgrade from its previous Good rating in 2024.

Key Details

School TypeSecondary (State)
Age Range11 to 16 years
GenderMixed
Religious CharacterNone
AddressMarlow Road, Ipswich, Ipswich, IP1 5JN
HeadteacherMartin Higgon
Local AuthoritySuffolk
Number of Pupils1,038
Free School Meals (FSM)38.7%
School Capacity1,038 / 1,120 (93% full)

The full report on this school

What 133 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
Inadequate
Behaviour & Attitudes
Inadequate
Personal Development
Inadequate
Leadership & Management
Inadequate

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

Source: Ofsted, 21 Jul 2025. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.

Facilities

10
Playing FieldsSixth Form CentreSports HallArt StudiosDining HallSwimming PoolAstro TurfTennis CourtsICT SuiteScience Labs

Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.

Extracurriculars

15

Sports

CricketCross CountryHockeySwimmingAthleticsTennis

Clubs & Activities

DramaNewspaperChoirModel United NationsOrchestraYoung EnterpriseDebateGardeningEco Club

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.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Westbourne Academy

Westbourne Academy has been rated "Inadequate" by Ofsted. This means the school has been identified as needing significant improvement. Ofsted will monitor the school closely.