Combs Ford Primary School is a primary school in Stowmarket, serving pupils aged 4 to 11. The school is a academy converter and operates as a mixed school. It follows a not applicable admissions policy. It does not have a designated religious character, which may suit families looking for a non-faith school.

Combs Ford Primary School currently has around 337 pupils on roll, which is about 80% of its capacity. The gender split is relatively balanced, with approximately 48.1% boys and 51.9% girls. Around 23.1% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, which gives an indication of the socio-economic mix. The student population reflects a mixed community across different backgrounds and needs.

Overall absence at the school is 5.5%. Persistent absence is recorded at 12.9%.

The majority of pupils are from a white british background (88.1%).

Safeguarding was judged to be effective, which is a key consideration for many parents.

School Information

Address: Glemsford Road, Stowmarket, IP14 2PN
Website: www.combsfordprimary.co.uk
Telephone: 01449613112
School Type: Academy converter
Education phase: Primary
Local authority: Suffolk
Headteacher / Principal: Mr Matt Wesley
Religious character: Does not apply
Admissions policy: Not applicable
Unique reference: 147880

Map

Ofsted Inspection

  • Quality of education
  • Behaviour and attitudes
  • Personal development
  • Management effectiveness

Ofsted inspection date: 11/02/2025

Safeguarding is effective

Pupils

General

Age Range: 4 - 11
Gender: Mixed
School Capacity: 420
Number of Pupils: 337
Number of Boys: 162
Number of Girls: 175

Absence

SchoolEngland state-funded schools:
Overall absence: 5.5% 4%
Persistent absence: 12.9% 8.2%

Ethnicity

White British88.10%297
Other White5.00%17
White and Black Caribbean1.50%5
Other Mixed1.50%5
Unclassified1.20%4
White and Black African0.90%3
Caribbean0.60%2
Other (any other ethnic group)0.60%2
African0.30%1
Indian0.30%1
Gypsy/Roma0.00%0
White and Asian0.00%0
Irish Traveller (Traveller of Irish heritage)0.00%0
Irish0.00%0
Pakistani0.00%0
Bangladeshi0.00%0
Other Asian0.00%0
Chinese0.00%0
Other Black0.00%0

Education - Primary

Progress scores show how pupils performed compared with pupils nationally who had similar prior attainment. Scores above 0 are better than average; below 0 are worse than average.

Reading: Average (-0.9)
Writing: Below Average (-1.8)
Maths: Below Average (-1.7)
Pupils meeting expected standard in reading, writing and maths
School
53%
Town average
61%
Local authority average
61%
England average
61%
Pupils achieving at a higher standard in reading, writing and maths
School
4%
Town average
9%
Local authority average
7%
England average
8%
Average score in reading
School
105.0
Town average
105.4
Local authority average
105.3
England average
105.1
Average score in maths
School
103.0
Town average
103.7
Local authority average
104.3
England average
104.3

Nearby Schools

Primary

Ofsted Overall Effectiveness Distance Establishment Type Has Nursery Classes Gender More Info
Combs Ford Primary School
Glemsford Road , IP14 2PN
- not rated 0 yd Academy converter No Mixed More About School
Combs Ford Primary School
Glemsford Road , IP14 2PN
- not rated 0 yd Community school No Mixed More About School
Trinity Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School
Lavenham Way , Combs IP14 2BZ
3out of 4 386 yd Voluntary aided school No Mixed More About School
Abbot's Hall Community Primary School
Danescourt Avenue , IP14 1QF
- not rated 1,246 yd Community school No Mixed More About School
Abbot's Hall Community Primary School
Danescourt Avenue , IP14 1QF
3out of 4 1,246 yd Academy converter No Mixed More About School

Secondary

Ofsted Overall Effectiveness Distance Establishment Type Has Nursery Classes Gender More Info
Stowmarket High School
Onehouse Road , IP14 1QR
- not rated 2,347 yd Academy sponsor led No Mixed More About School
Stowmarket High School
Onehouse Road , IP14 1QR
- not rated 2,347 yd Community school No Mixed More About School
Stowupland High School
Church Road , Stowupland IP14 4BQ
2out of 4 3,005 yd Academy converter No Mixed More About School
Stowupland High School
Church Road , Stowupland IP14 4BQ
- not rated 3,047 yd Community school No Mixed More About School
Stowupland High School
Church Road , Stowupland IP14 4BQ
- not rated 3,047 yd Academy converter No Mixed More About School

Middle deemed secondary

Ofsted Overall Effectiveness Distance Establishment Type Has Nursery Classes Gender More Info
Combs Middle School
Lavenham Way , IP14 2BZ
- not rated 386 yd Community school No Mixed More About School
Stowmarket Middle School
Walnut Tree Walk , IP14 1JP
- not rated 1,732 yd Community school No Mixed More About School

Not applicable

Ofsted Overall Effectiveness Distance Establishment Type Has Nursery Classes Gender More Info
OA - Suffolk
Chilton Way , IP14 1SZ
3out of 4 2,636 yd Academy alternative provision sponsor led No Mixed More About School
Kingsfield Centre
Chilton Way , IP14 1SZ
- not rated 2,636 yd Pupil referral unit Not Applicable Mixed More About School
Oakwood School
Chilton Way , IP14 1SZ
- not rated 2,850 yd Community special school Not Applicable Boys More About School
Moats Tye School
Moats Tye , IP14 2EY
- not rated 3,174 yd Other independent special school Not Applicable Boys More About School

School statistics for this postcode are based on Ofsted rankings.