SchoolScoresThurlow Voluntary Controlled Primary School
Voluntary controlled school · Primary, ages 4 to 11 · Mixed · Church of England
The Street, Little Thurlow, Haverhill, CB9 7HY
01440 783281 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 21 March 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
11 pupils in this year group.
73% — 14 points above the Suffolk average, and 11 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Suffolk | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 73% | 59% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 9% | 7% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 100% | 73% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 73% | 70% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 91% | 71% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 109 | 105 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 106 | 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 | 12 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 12 |
| Of those, offered a place | 12 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 21 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.9 · 2025: 1.1 · 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 6th highest of 10 state primary schools in Haverhill. Higher than 34% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 15.4% | 23.4%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 3rd highest of 10 state primary schools in Haverhill. Higher than 40% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 2.6% | 3.2%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 1st highest of 10 state primary schools in Haverhill. Higher than 96% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 28.2% | 14.7%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language 10th highest of 10 state primary schools in Haverhill. Higher than 0% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 0.0% | 12.6%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) Joint 5th lowest of 10 state primary schools in Haverhill. Lower than 35% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 5.5% | 5.2%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 4th lowest of 10 state primary schools in Haverhill. Lower than 53% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 11.3% | 12.1%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 8th lowest of 10 state primary schools in Haverhill. Lower than 21% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 3.8 | 5.1 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 9th lowest of 10 state primary schools in Haverhill. Lower than 13% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 2.6% | 1.9% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.08% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher 10th highest of 10 state primary schools in Haverhill. Higher than 35% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 19.3 | 19.8 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 8th highest of 10 state primary schools in Haverhill. Higher than 37% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 10.0 | 10.4 | 10.6 |
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.
Questions parents ask
What is Thurlow Voluntary Controlled Primary School's Ofsted rating?
Thurlow Voluntary Controlled Primary School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 21 March 2023.
How did Thurlow Voluntary Controlled Primary School do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 73% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 11 points above the England average of 62%.
Is Thurlow Voluntary Controlled Primary School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 12 families put Thurlow Voluntary Controlled Primary School as their first choice for 12 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 12 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 124698.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, Key stage 2 2024/25.
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Page updated 26 September 2026.