Barrow Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School
Colethorpe Lane, Barrow, Bury St Edmunds, IP29 5AUOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Barrow Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School is a primary school in Bury St Edmunds for ages 4 to 11. It is one of the 357 schools in Suffolk. It ranks 7th of 32 primary schools in Bury St Edmunds. Its latest Ofsted inspection, in September 2024, graded each key judgement and gave no overall Ofsted rating.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 24 September 2024, report published 15 December 2024
This inspection graded each key judgement and gave no overall effectiveness grade.
- Quality of education
- Good
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Outstanding
- Personal development
- Outstanding
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Early years provision
- Outstanding
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 24 September 2024
Pupils thrive in this inclusive, supportive school. Warm relationships with staff ensure that pupils feel safe and happy. The school's caring environment is proudly supported by pupils, who contribute to it and offer support to one another. Aspirations to take on leadership roles are evident among pupils, who work hard to fulfil these responsibilities well. The 'Friday snack shack' is responsibly run by pupils, who also participate as members of the 'job squad'. Older pupils take pride in mentoring and buddying younger children. The school has high expectations of pupils' behaviour. Consequently, pupils conduct is exemplary throughout the school and learning is not disrupted. Due to the well-considered curriculum, pupils are confident to express their views and ideas. Pupils develop positive attitudes to learning and achieve well in lessons. Trips and visitors to the school broaden pupils' horizons. These help pupils to see themselves as members of a diverse, multicultural society. Careers events are designed to inspire pupils' aspirations about future job prospects and the skills required. Pupils are provided with extensive opportunities to develop new talents and interests. Many of these help prepare them for life beyond school, including touch typing, cookery and gardening. Pupils delight in the sports activities available and learn to swim confidently in the school pool.
What the school should improve
- Some elements of the wider curriculum, such as disciplinary knowledge, are not taught as well as others. This means that pupils do not learn this content securely. The school should ensure that teachers have the requisite subject knowledge to deliver these aspects of the curriculum effectively.
- The school's work to embed the curriculum is not fully realised in key stage 2, particularly in mathematics. This means that some pupils have not secured the mathematical knowledge they need to achieve well. The school should ensure its support for pupils to catch up on missed learning has the intended impact.
Exam results
SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25
30 pupils took the tests
Pupil numbers and mix
199 pupils on roll, with places for 210
Schools near Barrow Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Risby Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School | 3 miles | Ofsted: Good | 54% met the expected standard |
| Moulton Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School | 4 miles | Ofsted: Outstanding | 83% met the expected standard |
| Ickworth Park Primary School | 4 miles | Ofsted: Good | Not published |
| Sexton's Manor Primary School | 5 miles | Ofsted: Good | 27% met the expected standard |
| Kennett Primary School | 5 miles | Ofsted: Good | 55% met the expected standard |
School details
- School type
- Voluntary controlled school
- Sector
- Local authority maintained
- Age range
- 4 to 11
- Gender
- Mixed
- Religious character
- Church of England
- Nursery classes
- No
- Headteacher
- Mrs Helen Ashe
- Phone
- 01284810223
- Address
- Colethorpe Lane, Barrow, Bury St Edmunds, IP29 5AU
- Local authority
- Suffolk
- URN
- 124690
School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Exam results for 2024/25 from the Department for Education. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.