Kesgrave High School

Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed · Sixth form

Part of EAST ANGLIAN SCHOOLS TRUST LTD

Main Road, Kesgrave, Ipswich, IP5 2PB

01473 624855 · School website · Map and directions

OfstedGoodInspected 6 December 2022
Grade 5 or above in English and maths52%England 45% · 2024/25
2nd highest of 12 state secondary schools in Ipswich.
Higher than 69% of 3,259 state secondary schools in England.
Pupils1,875Room for 1,850 Pupil numbers in January of each year: 1,840 in 2019, 1,847 in 2021, 1,884 in 2022, 1,875 in 2023, 1,841 in 2024, 1,858 in 2025, 1,875 in 2026. Across England, secondary state school pupil numbers were up 10% from 2019 to 2025.
First-choice applications per place1.1338 for 294 places, September 2026
3rd highest of 12 state secondary schools in Ipswich.
Higher than 78% of 3,219 state secondary schools in England.

Ofsted inspection

Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 6 December 2022.

This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.

AreaGrade
Quality of educationGood
Behaviour and attitudesGood
Personal developmentGood
Leadership and managementGood
Sixth formGood
SafeguardingEffective

Read the full Ofsted reports for this school

Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.

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Results

GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25

307 pupils in this year group.

52% — 13 points above the Suffolk average, and 7 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolSuffolkEngland
Grade 5 or above in English and maths 52% 40% 45%
Attainment 8 scoreAverage of each pupil's grades across 8 GCSE-level subjects, with English and maths counted twice. Around 50 means grade 5s on average. 49.7 42.8 46.1
EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. 4.1 3.7 4.1
Grade 5 or above in English and maths, over time
40% 50% 60% England 2022/23: 45%England 2023/24: 46%England 2024/25: 45% This school 2022/23: 53%This school 2023/24: 51%This school 2024/25: 52% This school England 45% 2022/23 53% 2023/24 51% 2024/25 52%

Progress 8 isn't shown. DfE didn't publish it for 2024/25 because this year group's key stage 2 tests in 2020 were cancelled, and older progress scores aren't comparable.

Source: DfE key stage 4 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.

After Year 11

Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.

306 pupils in this year group.

95% — 2 points above the Suffolk average, and 3 points above the England average.

Where pupils went after Year 11
This school 60%29%
England 34%13%37%
MeasureThis schoolSuffolkEngland
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. 95% 93% 92%
School sixth form 60% 39% 34%
Sixth form college 0% 5% 13%
Further education college 29% 42% 37%
Apprenticeship 4% 3% 3%
Work 3% 3% 3%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
98%95%

Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.

A levels (16 to 18), 2024/25

137 A level students in this year group.

MeasureThis schoolSuffolkEngland
Average A level grade C+ C+ B-
A level exams graded A* or A 21% 19% 26%
A level exams graded A* to B 39% 45% 53%
Average points per A level entryAn A* is 60 points, an A is 50, a B is 40, and so on down to 10 for an E. 31.8 31.9 35
Average points per A level entry, over time
25 30 35 40 England 2022/23: 34.2England 2023/24: 34.4England 2024/25: 35 This school 2022/23: 33.2This school 2023/24: 33.6This school 2024/25: 31.8 This school England 35 2022/23 33.2 2023/24 33.6 2024/25 31.8

A level subjects, 2024/25

31 subjects, 343 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.

SubjectExamsA*A* or AEngland A* or A
Business Studies:Single 35 0% 9% 16%
Mathematics 34 9% 35% 40%
Sociology 25 8% 32% 20%
English Literature 21 0% 24% 23%
Psychology 21 5% 29% 19%
Biology 19 0% 21% 27%
Law 18 6% 11% 17%
Computer Studies / Computing 17 0% 12% 24%
Economics 14 0% 29% 26%
Geography 13 23% 23% 23%
Chemistry 10 0% 30% 30%
English Language 10 0% 10% 13%
Ancient History 9 0% 22% 16%
Art and Design (Graphics) 9 0% 11% 32%
Film Studies 9 0% 0% 17%
History 9 0% 0% 23%
Accounting / Finance 8 0% 25% 15%
Mathematics (Further) 8 13% 13% 59%
Art and Design (Photography) 7 0% 14% 26%
Design and Technology (Product Design) 7 14% 14% 15%
Environmental Science 6 0% 0% 14%
Physics 6 17% 33% 31%

Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Art and Design (Fine Art), Government and Politics, Physical Education / Sports Studies, Dance, Drama and Theatre Studies, Music, English Language and Literature, Music Technology, Russian.

Source: DfE 16 to 18 qualification and subject data, 2024/25.

Source: DfE 16 to 18 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.

After sixth form

Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.

181 students in this year group.

91% — 12 points above the Suffolk average, and 12 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolSuffolkEngland
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. 91% 79% 79%
Apprenticeship 9% 10% 7%
Work 41% 36% 28%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
95%91%

Source: DfE 16 to 18 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.

Going on to university

Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.

152 students in this year group.

61% — 12 points above the Suffolk average, and about the same as the England average.

MeasureThis schoolSuffolkEngland
Went on to a degree or other higher education 61% 49% 60%
Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. 13% 10% 19%

Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time

2023/242024/25
54%61%

Source: DfE 16 to 18 progression to higher education or training, 2024/25 performance tables. 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 secondary applications is 31 October, and offers are sent on 1 March.

How hard is it to get in?

For the September 2026 intake there were about 1 first-choice applications for every place.

Places offered294
Families who put it first338
Of those, offered a place286 (85%)
Families who listed it at all600

First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.0 · 2025: 0.9 · 2026: 1.1

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.

Admissions dates and schools in Suffolk

Pupils, staff and SEND

PupilsThis schoolSuffolkEngland
Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years
12th highest of 13 state secondary schools in Ipswich.
Higher than 17% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
15.1% 22.5%* 28.9%
With an education, health and care plan
8th highest of 13 state secondary schools in Ipswich.
Higher than 62% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
3.4% 3.8%* 3.1%
Receiving special educational needs support
1st highest of 13 state secondary schools in Ipswich.
Higher than 84% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
19.1% 13.9%* 13.4%
English as an additional language
11th highest of 13 state secondary schools in Ipswich.
Higher than 24% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
5.4% 9.9%* 19.2%
Overall absence (sessions missed)
1st lowest of 12 state secondary schools in Ipswich.
Lower than 64% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
7.5% 9.1%* 8.4%
Persistently absent (missed 10% or more)
3rd lowest of 12 state secondary schools in Ipswich.
Lower than 70% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
19.3% 24.3%* 23.4%
Suspensions per 100 pupils
4th lowest of 13 state secondary schools in Ipswich.
Lower than 67% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
9.1 31.0 21.2
Pupils suspended at least once
4th lowest of 13 state secondary schools in Ipswich.
Lower than 65% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
5.0% 7.7% 7.3%
Pupils permanently excluded5 pupils 0.27% 0.34% 0.23%
Pupils per teacher
10th highest of 13 state secondary schools in Ipswich.
Higher than 35% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England.
16.1 17.7 16.7
Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff)
Joint 8th highest of 13 state secondary schools in Ipswich.
Higher than 58% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
12.2 12.3 11.8
Teachers who left during the year
11th highest of 13 state secondary schools in Ipswich.
Higher than 14% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England.
7.5% 12.5%* 14.2%*

Comparisons are with secondary 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.

Nearby secondary schools

Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.

Questions parents ask

What is Kesgrave High School's Ofsted rating?

Kesgrave High School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 6 December 2022.

How did Kesgrave High School do in its GCSEs?

In 2024/25, 52% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 7 points above the England average of 45%.

Is Kesgrave High School oversubscribed?

For the September 2026 intake, 338 families put Kesgrave High School as their first choice for 294 places: about 1 first-choice applications for every place. 286 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.

Sources

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Page updated 26 September 2026.