SchoolScoresSamuel Ward Academy
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed · Sixth form
Part of UNITY SCHOOLS PARTNERSHIP
Chalkstone Way, Haverhill, CB9 0LD
01440 761511 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 1 November 2022.
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 |
| Sixth form | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
195 pupils in this year group.
42% — 2 points above the Suffolk average, and 3 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Suffolk | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 42% | 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. | 43.8 | 42.8 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 3.8 | 3.7 | 4.1 |
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.
227 pupils in this year group.
95% — 2 points above the Suffolk average, and 3 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Suffolk | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 28% | 39% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 17% | 5% | 13% |
| Further education college | 42% | 42% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 4% | 3% | 3% |
| Work | 2% | 3% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 94% | 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
49 A level students in this year group.
| Measure | This school | Suffolk | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average A level grade | D | C+ | B- |
| A level exams graded A* or A | 5% | 19% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 18% | 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. | 21.1 | 31.9 | 35 |
A level subjects, 2024/25
16 subjects, 117 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
| Subject | Exams | A* | A* or A | England A* or A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 14 | 7% | 21% | 40% |
| Economics | 11 | 0% | 18% | 26% |
| Biology | 10 | 0% | 0% | 27% |
| Psychology | 10 | 0% | 0% | 19% |
| Sociology | 10 | 0% | 0% | 20% |
| Business Studies:Single | 9 | 0% | 0% | 16% |
| Chemistry | 8 | 0% | 0% | 30% |
| Physics | 8 | 0% | 0% | 31% |
| English Literature | 7 | 0% | 0% | 23% |
| Geography | 7 | 0% | 0% | 23% |
| History | 6 | 0% | 0% | 23% |
Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Art and Design (Fine Art), Physical Education / Sports Studies, Art and Design (Photography), Mathematics (Further), English Language.
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.
78 students in this year group.
81% — 2 points above the Suffolk average, and 2 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Suffolk | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. | 81% | 79% | 79% |
| Apprenticeship | 6% | 10% | 7% |
| Work | 36% | 36% | 28% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 92% | 81% |
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.
61 students in this year group.
66% — 17 points above the Suffolk average, and 6 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Suffolk | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 66% | 49% | 60% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 5% | 10% | 19% |
Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 61% | 66% |
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 fewer first-choice applications than places.
| Places offered | 186 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 148 |
| Of those, offered a place | 148 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 242 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.9 · 2025: 0.9 · 2026: 0.8
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.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Suffolk | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 33rd highest of 45 state secondary schools in Suffolk. Higher than 27% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 18.9% | 22.5%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 44th highest of 45 state secondary schools in Suffolk. Higher than 15% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 1.5% | 3.8%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 39th highest of 45 state secondary schools in Suffolk. Higher than 28% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 10.8% | 13.9%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 11th highest of 45 state secondary schools in Suffolk. Higher than 55% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 14.1% | 9.9%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 35th lowest of 43 state secondary schools in Suffolk. Lower than 23% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 10.1% | 9.1%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 28th lowest of 43 state secondary schools in Suffolk. Lower than 36% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 26.3% | 24.3%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 26th lowest of 45 state secondary schools in Suffolk. Lower than 27% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 27.6 | 31.0 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 21st lowest of 45 state secondary schools in Suffolk. Lower than 48% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 6.9% | 7.7% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded2 pupils | 0.17% | 0.34% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher Joint 10th highest of 45 state secondary schools in Suffolk. Higher than 83% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 18.6 | 17.7 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) Joint 4th highest of 45 state secondary schools in Suffolk. Higher than 87% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 13.8 | 12.3 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 14th highest of 45 state secondary schools in Suffolk. Higher than 60% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 15.2% | 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
- Castle Manor Academy 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2019), confirmed 2024 · 32% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Samuel Ward Academy's Ofsted rating?
Samuel Ward Academy was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 1 November 2022.
How did Samuel Ward Academy do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 42% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 3 points below the England average of 45%.
Is Samuel Ward Academy oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 148 families put Samuel Ward Academy as their first choice for 186 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 148 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 136322.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25, A levels 2024/25, After sixth form 2024/25, Going on to university 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.