The Ashley School
Academy special converter · Lowestoft · NR32 4EU
Ages 7–16 · 203 pupils · Suffolk
Ofsted
School remains Outstanding
Attainment 8
0.8
Overall absence
9.2%
Ofsted
Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.
Headline
School remains Outstanding
Inspection date
2023-06-25
Performance
Official school-level results. Figures are not rankings — suppressed values are omitted.
Key stage 4 (2023/24)
EBacc APS: 0.0
Key stage 2 (2023/24)
Absence
Academic year 2023/24. Persistent absence means 10%+ of sessions missed. Lower figures are better.
- Authorised absence
- 7.2%
- Severe absence (50%+)
- 1.9%
- Enrolments in measure
- 154
Absence trend
2021/22
2022/23
2023/24
- Overall
- Persistent (10%+)
Size & intake
From the GIAS school census (15 Jan 2026).
203 pupils · 192 places
- Pupils on roll
- 203
- Boys / girls
- 117 / 86
- School capacity
- 192
- Capacity fill
- 203 / 192 (106%)
- Free school meals
- 56.7%
- FSM pupils
- 115
- Gender
- Mixed
- School type
- Academy special converter
Age range
Ages 7–16
Provision
Official GIAS characteristics
2 / 6
- Nursery
- Sixth form
- Boarding
- Special school
- Independent
- Academy
School characteristics
- Special classes
- Has Special Classes
- Governance
- Academy trust: THE ASHLEY SCHOOL ACADEMY TRUST
- Academy trust
- THE ASHLEY SCHOOL ACADEMY TRUST
- Headteacher
- Mr Thomas Ward
Location
- Address
- Ashley Downs
- Postcode
- NR32 4EU
- Town
- Lowestoft
- County
- Suffolk
- Local authority
- Suffolk
- District
- East Suffolk
- Constituency
- Lowestoft
- Urban/rural
- Urban: Further from a major town or city
SEN & specialist provision
As recorded in GIAS — provision detail, not an Ofsted judgement.
- SEN types
- MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty
- Special classes
- Has Special Classes
- Resourced provision
- Resourced provision
- Resourced places
- 205 on roll / 192 capacity
Local context
How this school sits among open establishments in its area, using official GIAS records. These are counts, not rankings.
Mixed academy special converter, Ages 7–16, in Lowestoft, Suffolk, 203 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: academy, special school. Free school meals: 56.7%. SEN provision includes: MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty.
Nearby schools
Open schools within about 3 miles, prioritising the same phase where possible. Distances are approximate from GIAS coordinates.
Poplars Community Primary School
Ofsted: Requires improvementAcademy converter · Primary
Lowestoft · NR32 4HN · Suffolk
Ages 3–11
- KS260%
- Absence4.5%
- FSM47.3%
- Demand1.00
0.2 miles away
Northfield St Nicholas Primary Academy
Ofsted: GoodAcademy sponsor led · Primary
Lowestoft · NR32 4HN · Suffolk
Ages 3–11
- KS258%
- Absence6.3%
- FSM44.3%
- Demand0.97
0.2 miles away
Ormiston Denes Academy
Ofsted: Not judgedAcademy sponsor led · Secondary
Lowestoft · NR32 4AH · Suffolk
Ages 11–16
- Att835.7
- P8-0.4
- EM5+22%
- Absence15.4%
0.2 miles away
St Margaret's Primary Academy
Ofsted: Expected standardAcademy sponsor led · Primary
Lowestoft · NR32 4JF · Suffolk
Ages 3–11
- KS265%
- Absence6.5%
- FSM47.8%
- Demand0.98
0.3 miles away
Horizon School
Ofsted: Requires improvementPupil referral unit
Lowestoft · NR32 4TD · Suffolk
Ages 4–16
- FSM0.0%
0.4 miles away
Roman Hill Primary School
Ofsted: Not judgedAcademy sponsor led · Primary
Lowestoft · NR32 2NX · Suffolk
Ages 3–11
- KS236%
- Absence7.2%
- FSM51.1%
- Demand1.00
0.7 miles away
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Contact
- Headteacher
- Mr Thomas Ward
- Telephone
- 01502565439