Norton CEVC Primary School

  • Primary
  • Local authority maintained
  • Ages 4 to 11
Ofsted judgements: Good to outstanding

School Close, Norton, Bury St Edmunds, IP31 3LZOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

Norton CEVC 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 2nd of 32 primary schools in Bury St Edmunds. Its latest Ofsted inspection, in December 2024, graded each key judgement and gave no overall Ofsted rating.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 3 December 2024, report published 26 January 2025

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 3 December 2024

Pupils thrive at this school. They enjoy their lessons and talk enthusiastically about what they have learned. The school is highly ambitious for what pupils can achieve. This extends beyond the core curriculum. The many different experiences pupils have as part of their education make them highly knowledgeable about the world beyond their local area. They understand fundamental British values well, for example knowing about human rights and democracy both in our country and others. Pupils are exceptionally well behaved. Everyone knows the routines and expectations and follows these. This means that classrooms are highly focused places where pupils work hard. All pupils, including the very youngest, are motivated by the activities they undertake and have high levels of concentration. There are many extra-curricular activities on offer, from gymnastics to model making. Older pupils have independently set up further clubs, such as reading, for the younger ones. Pupils have many opportunities to undertake leadership roles, for example as behaviour ambassadors. Pupils enjoy their play. Building structures is a favourite activity, using the 'scrap shed' materials. Pupils of all ages play games together or enjoy climbing on the equipment. Pupils feel safe and know who they can talk to if they are upset or worried.

What the school should improve

  • Some pupils, particularly those with SEND, rely too heavily on adult support and direction to access the curriculum. They do not develop the knowledge and skills to do so with less support. This means that, when additional adults are not available, these pupils do not always achieve as well as they could. The school should develop further ways to adapt teaching so that more pupils can access the curriculum independently more of the time when they are able to do so.

Exam results

SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25

30 pupils took the tests

Expected standard in reading, writing and maths83%

83%, 21 percentage points above the England average of 62%.

Higher standard in reading, writing and maths10%

10%, 2 percentage points above the England average of 8%.

Reading, average scaled score110

110, 4 above the England average of 106.

Maths, average scaled score107

107, 2 above the England average of 105.

Grammar, punctuation and spelling, average scaled score111

111, 6 above the England average of 105.

Pupil numbers and mix

203 pupils on roll, with places for 210

Eligible for free school meals12.3%

12.3%, 14.2 percentage points below the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language1.5%

1.5%, 20.1 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support15.8%

15.8%, 1 percentage points above the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan3.9%

3.9%, 2.1 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near Norton CEVC Primary School

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
Thurston Church of England Primary Academy0.1 milesOfsted judgements: Good59% met the expected standard
Elmswell Community Primary School3 milesOfsted: Good76% met the expected standard
Woolpit Primary Academy3 milesOfsted: Good29% met the expected standard
Ixworth Church of England Primary School3 milesOfsted: Good40% met the expected standard
Rougham Church of England Primary School4 milesOfsted: Good64% 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 Lisa Sparkes
Address
School Close, Norton, Bury St Edmunds, IP31 3LZ
Local authority
Suffolk
URN
124710

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.