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OpenSecondaryOfsted: School remains GoodURN 124802

Thurston Community College

Community school · Bury St Edmunds · IP31 3PB

Ages 11–18 · 1,512 pupils · Suffolk

School website

Ofsted

School remains Good

Attainment 8

44.4

Overall absence

8.5%

Admissions demand

0.94 · Balanced demand

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

School remains Good

Inspection date

2024-04-24

Source: Ofsted monthly management information

Performance

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

Key stage 4 (2023/24)

Progress 8-0.16
−20+2
Attainment 844.4
English & maths grade 5+42%
English & maths grade 4+65%
EBacc entry29%

EBacc APS: 3.9

Source: DfE school and college performance tables

Absence

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

Overall absence8.5%
Persistent absence (10%+)24.0%
Unauthorised2.8%
Authorised absence
5.7%
Severe absence (50%+)
3.8%
Enrolments in measure
1,382

Absence trend

2021/22

2022/23

2023/24

  • Overall
  • Persistent (10%+)

Source: DfE pupil absence in schools in England

Admissions demand

Coordinated admissions for secondary entry (2024/25 cycle, national offer day). Demand ratio compares families who listed this school 1st with total offers made — not a catchment or distance guarantee.

Demand ratio

0.94 · Balanced demand

1st preferences

242

Places offered

259

1st-preference offers

242

Total preferences (any rank)
378
Preferred offers (top 3)
257
Applications from outside LA
9
Offers to outside-LA applicants
1
Admissions policy (GIAS)
Non-selective

Source: DfE primary and secondary school applications and offers. Figures reflect offers on national offer day; late applications, appeals and waiting lists are not included.

Size & intake

From the GIAS school census (15 Jan 2026).

Capacity fill84%

1,512 pupils · 1,800 places

Pupils on roll
1,512
Boys / girls
769 / 743
School capacity
1,800
Capacity fill
1,512 / 1,800 (84%)
Free school meals
19%
FSM pupils
263
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Gender
Mixed
School type
Community school

Age range

Ages 11–18

05111619

Provision

Official GIAS characteristics

1 / 6

  • Nursery
  • Sixth formHas a sixth form
  • Boarding
  • Special school
  • Independent
  • Academy

School characteristics

Special classes
No Special Classes
Governance
Community school
Headteacher
Ms Maéve Taylor

Location

Address
Norton Road, Thurston
Postcode
IP31 3PB
Town
Bury St Edmunds
County
Suffolk
Local authority
Suffolk
District
Mid Suffolk
Constituency
Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket
Urban/rural
Larger rural: Further from a major town or city

Local context

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

Mixed community school (secondary), Ages 11–18, in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, 1,512 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: sixth form, non-selective admissions. Free school meals: 19%.

Open schools in Bury St Edmunds
52
Secondary schools in Bury St Edmunds
5
Academies among open schools in Bury St Edmunds
60% (31)
Open schools in IP31
11
Secondary in IP31
2
Open schools in Suffolk LA
366
Secondary in Suffolk LA
43

Nearby secondary schools

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

Compare with theseAll in Bury St EdmundsNear IP31

  • Sybil Andrews Academy

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy sponsor led · Secondary

    Bury St. Edmunds · IP32 7QB · Suffolk

    Ages 11–16

    • Att847.5
    • P80.1
    • EM5+49%
    • Absence7.7%

    2.3 miles away

  • Sir Peter Hall School

    Ofsted: Not judged

    Free schools special

    Bury St. Edmunds · IP32 7PJ · Suffolk

    Ages 9–16

    • KS20%
    • Absence31.0%
    • FSM60.0%

    2.4 miles away

  • Abbots Green Primary Academy

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy sponsor led · Primary

    Bury St Edmunds · IP32 7PJ · Suffolk

    Ages 2–11

    • KS279%
    • Absence5.5%
    • FSM12.5%
    • Demand1.00

    2.5 miles away

  • First Base Bury St Edmunds

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy alternative provision converter

    Bury St Edmunds · IP32 7PJ · Suffolk

    Ages 3–8

    • FSM0.0%

    2.5 miles away

  • Norton CEVC Primary School

    Ofsted: Not judged

    Voluntary controlled school · Primary

    Bury St Edmunds · IP31 3LZ · Suffolk

    Ages 4–11

    • KS263%
    • Absence5.0%
    • FSM12.3%
    • Demand1.03

    2.5 miles away

New to reading school data? See Ofsted ratings explained and how to compare schools.

Contact

Headteacher
Ms Maéve Taylor
Telephone
01359230885
Website
http://www.thurstoncollege.org/

Official links