Whatfield Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School
Rectory Road, Whatfield, Ipswich, IP7 6QUOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Whatfield Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School is a primary school in Ipswich for ages 5 to 11. It is one of the 357 schools in Suffolk. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in September 2023.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 19 September 2023, report published 11 October 2023
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Quality of education
- Good
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Good
- Personal development
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Early years provision
- Good
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 19 September 2023
Pupils are happy here. The school is a calm and caring place for them to learn and make friends. Friendships blossom amidst wide open spaces to play. Pupils know that everyone is different. They get on well with each other and are welcoming to visitors. Staff help pupils to overcome personal challenges. Pupils say that the adults help them to feel appreciated and unique. Pupils learn an interesting curriculum from skilled teachers. Classrooms are carefully set out to give freedom of movement, a sense of personal space and opportunities to focus. Pupils know that their teachers expect them to work hard. Pupils rise to the challenge. They learn how to stay calm when things are tricky. Pupils can go to an adult for help, whether it be to sort out a friendship issue, because they are worried or if they find something difficult to understand. Every pupil takes part in the range of extra-curricular activities and trips on offer. These include sports tournaments, visiting the owl sanctuary and learning the ukulele. Pupils can also take on responsibilities such as playground monitor, helping with worship assemblies and being part of the school council.
What the school should improve
- In a small number of subjects such as art, implementation of the curriculum is sometimes inconsistent. As a result, pupils occasionally do not learn new concepts and skills in depth. Leaders should strengthen their oversight of these subjects and provide further training for staff in how to deliver the curriculum effectively.
- Opportunities to rehearse key content and skills in some subjects are not as well developed. As a result, some pupils do not quickly catch up with skills such as handwriting. Leaders should train teachers in how to build in opportunities for rehearsal of key concepts and skills into lessons. This will enhance pupils' access to new content in subjects such as history. School 3
Pupil numbers and mix
44 pupils on roll, with places for 56
Schools near Whatfield Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beaumont Community Primary School | 2 miles | Ofsted: Good | 67% met the expected standard |
| Kersey Church of England Primary School | 2 miles | Ofsted: Good | Not published |
| Elmsett Church of England Primary School | 2 miles | Ofsted judgements: Good | 38% met the expected standard |
| St Mary's Church of England Primary School, Hadleigh | 2 miles | Ofsted: Good | 46% met the expected standard |
| Bildeston Primary School | 3 miles | Ofsted: Good | 73% met the expected standard |
School details
- School type
- Voluntary controlled school
- Sector
- Local authority maintained
- Age range
- 5 to 11
- Gender
- Mixed
- Religious character
- Church of England
- Nursery classes
- No
- Headteacher
- Mrs Julia Shaw
- Phone
- 01473823309
- Address
- Rectory Road, Whatfield, Ipswich, IP7 6QU
- Local authority
- Suffolk
- URN
- 124718
School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.