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OpenOfsted: OutstandingURN 148541

Castle EAST School

Free schools special · Bungay · NR35 1JS

Ages 9–16 · 130 pupils · Suffolk

School website

Ofsted

Outstanding

Attainment 8

19.1

Overall absence

16.2%

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

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Headline

Outstanding

Inspection date

2024-03-19

Overall effectiveness
Outstanding
Quality of education
Outstanding
Behaviour and attitudes
Outstanding
Personal development
Outstanding
Leadership and management
Outstanding
Safeguarding effective
Yes

Source: Ofsted monthly management information

Performance

Official school-level results. Figures are not rankings — suppressed values are omitted.

Key stage 4 (2023/24)

Progress 8-0.97
−20+2
Attainment 819.1
English & maths grade 5+0%
English & maths grade 4+38%
EBacc entry0%

EBacc APS: 1.0

Key stage 2 (2023/24)

Avg scaled score — GPS
97.0

Source: DfE school and college performance tables

Absence

Academic year 2023/24. Persistent absence means 10%+ of sessions missed. Lower figures are better.

Overall absence16.2%
Persistent absence (10%+)48.3%
Unauthorised4.6%
Authorised absence
11.6%
Severe absence (50%+)
13.5%
Enrolments in measure
89

Absence trend

2021/22

2022/23

2023/24

  • Overall
  • Persistent (10%+)

Source: DfE pupil absence in schools in England

Size & intake

From the GIAS school census (15 Jan 2026).

Capacity fill108%

130 pupils · 120 places

Pupils on roll
130
Boys / girls
89 / 41
School capacity
120
Capacity fill
130 / 120 (108%)
Free school meals
39.2%
FSM pupils
51
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Gender
Mixed
School type
Free schools special

Age range

Ages 9–16

05111619

Provision

Official GIAS characteristics

1 / 6

  • Nursery
  • Sixth form
  • Boarding
  • Special school
  • Independent
  • Academy

School characteristics

Governance
Academy trust: EAST ANGLIAN SCHOOLS TRUST LTD
Academy trust
EAST ANGLIAN SCHOOLS TRUST LTD
Sponsor
East Anglian Schools Trust
Headteacher
Mrs Nicky Coman

Location

Address
Hillside Road East
Postcode
NR35 1JS
Town
Bungay
County
Suffolk
Local authority
Suffolk
District
East Suffolk
Constituency
Waveney Valley
Urban/rural
Larger rural: Further from a major town or city

SEN & specialist provision

As recorded in GIAS — provision detail, not an Ofsted judgement.

SEN types
ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder
Resourced provision
Resourced provision
Resourced places
77 on roll / 120 capacity

Local context

How this school sits among open establishments in its area, using official GIAS records. These are counts, not rankings.

Mixed free schools special, Ages 9–16, in Bungay, Suffolk, 130 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: special school, non-selective admissions. Free school meals: 39.2%. SEN provision includes: ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder.

Open schools in Bungay
8
Academies among open schools in Bungay
50% (4)
Open schools in NR35
9
Open schools in Suffolk LA
366

Nearby schools

Open schools within about 3 miles, prioritising the same phase where possible. Distances are approximate from GIAS coordinates.

Compare with theseAll in BungayNear NR35

  • Bungay Primary School

    Ofsted: Needs attention

    Academy converter · Primary

    Bungay · NR35 1HA · Suffolk

    Ages 3–11

    • KS232%
    • Absence6.5%
    • FSM37.8%

    0.5 miles away

  • Bungay High School

    Ofsted: Expected standard

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Bungay · NR35 1RW · Suffolk

    Ages 11–18

    • Att846.0
    • P80.1
    • EM5+40%
    • Absence9.2%

    0.6 miles away

  • Ellingham VC Primary School

    Ofsted: School remains Good

    Voluntary controlled school · Primary

    Bungay · NR35 2PZ · Norfolk

    Ages 5–11

    • KS243%
    • Absence6.0%
    • FSM18.2%

    2.2 miles away

Contact

Headteacher
Mrs Nicky Coman
Telephone
01986808651
Website
https://www.castleeastschool.co.uk/

Official links