SchoolScoresBures CofE Voluntary Controlled Primary School
Voluntary controlled school · Primary, ages 4 to 11 · Mixed · Church of England
Nayland Road, Bures, CO8 5BX
01787 227446 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 2 February 2023.
This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Good |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Personal development | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Early years | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25
30 pupils in this year group.
50% — 9 points below the Suffolk average, and 12 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Suffolk | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 50% | 59% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 3% | 7% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 67% | 73% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 73% | 70% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 57% | 71% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 106 | 105 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 102 | 104 | 105 |
Source: DfE key stage 2 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Admissions
Apply through the council where you live, even if the school is in a different council area. This school is in Suffolk. The national closing date for primary applications is 15 January, and offers are sent on 16 April.
How hard is it to get in?
For the September 2026 intake there were about one first-choice application for every place.
| Places offered | 22 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 21 |
| Of those, offered a place | 21 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 40 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.9 · 2025: 0.9 · 2026: 1.0
This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2026 intake.
This is a Church of England school, but as a voluntary controlled school its admissions are set by the council, which usually doesn't prioritise by faith. Check the council's admissions criteria.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Suffolk | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 185th highest of 253 state primary schools in Suffolk. Higher than 31% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 14.5% | 23.4%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan Joint 153rd highest of 253 state primary schools in Suffolk. Higher than 31% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 2.1% | 3.2%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 171st highest of 253 state primary schools in Suffolk. Higher than 36% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 12.4% | 14.7%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language Joint 220th highest of 253 state primary schools in Suffolk. Higher than 6% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 0.5% | 12.6%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) Joint 62nd lowest of 253 state primary schools in Suffolk. Lower than 73% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 4.2% | 5.2%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 36th lowest of 253 state primary schools in Suffolk. Lower than 87% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 5.5% | 12.1%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 152nd lowest of 253 state primary schools in Suffolk. Lower than 22% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 3.8 | 5.1 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 167th lowest of 253 state primary schools in Suffolk. Lower than 17% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 2.2% | 1.9% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.08% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher Joint 147th highest of 253 state primary schools in Suffolk. Higher than 33% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 19.1 | 19.8 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) Joint 142nd highest of 253 state primary schools in Suffolk. Higher than 33% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 9.8 | 10.4 | 10.6 |
| Teachers who left during the year Joint 126th highest of 207 state primary schools in Suffolk. Higher than 39% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 9.8% | 15.0%* | 14.4%* |
Comparisons are with primary schools. Scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) figures. For absence and suspensions lower is better, so their scales run green to red; blue scales describe the school's pupils and staff and aren't good or bad. * Calculated by SchoolScores from the council's or England's schools, weighted by pupils (or teachers, for turnover); other figures are published by DfE. Sources: DfE school census 2024/25; DfE pupil absence 2024/25; DfE suspensions and permanent exclusions 2024/25; DfE school workforce census 2025/26; DfE teacher turnover 2024/25.
Questions parents ask
What is Bures CofE Voluntary Controlled Primary School's Ofsted rating?
Bures CofE Voluntary Controlled Primary School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 2 February 2023.
How did Bures CofE Voluntary Controlled Primary School do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 50% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 12 points below the England average of 62%.
Is Bures CofE Voluntary Controlled Primary School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 21 families put Bures CofE Voluntary Controlled Primary School as their first choice for 22 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 21 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 124692.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, Key stage 2 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.