Best 3 Secondary schools in Bury St Edmunds – comparison

Q: How are these comparisons built?

We align public datasets side-by-side. Headline Ofsted judgement and publication date are shown when available. Exact pupil counts and precise FSM% are available to Pro users; free users see rounded values.

Q: What if a school has a recent ungraded visit?

Ungraded Section 8 visits do not replace the last graded judgement. We continue to show the latest graded judgement until a new graded inspection is published.

Q: Why can’t I see exact numbers?

To keep the service sustainable, exact pupil counts and precise FSM% are Pro features. Everyone can still compare approximate values.

Q: How should I choose a school?

Start with the most recent graded Ofsted judgement, then consider distance and travel, roll versus capacity, and the admissions policy. Visit the school, ask about pastoral support and enrichment, and ensure it fits your child’s needs.

Q: What should I look for when comparing schools?

Compare headline Ofsted and publication dates for recency; check FSM% and local context; review capacity utilisation (under, near, or over capacity); and look at trust or local authority governance. Read the official Ofsted report for curriculum and safeguarding details.

Comparison of secondary schools: Bury St Edmunds County High School (Secondary) in Bury St Edmunds; King Edward VI CEVC School (Secondary) in Bury St Edmunds; Thurston Community College (Secondary) in Bury St Edmunds — covering Ofsted outcomes, size, FSM%, governance, capacity & more.

At a glance

This page compares Bury St Edmunds County High School, King Edward VI CEVC School and Thurston Community College. They are secondary phase and academy converter, voluntary controlled school and community school type located around Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. The strongest headline Ofsted judgement here is 2 (Bury St Edmunds County High School), published May 2022. The most recent inspection on record is for Bury St Edmunds County High School (May 2022). average roll around ≈ 1,150, combined total ≈ 3,400, typical FSM 20–25%, range 15–20%–20–25%; all within the UNITY SCHOOLS PARTNERSHIP trust.

🔒 Export (Pro)

Attribute	Bury St Edmunds County High School IP32 6RF	King Edward VI CEVC School IP33 3BH	Thurston Community College IP31 3PB
Phase / Type	Secondary • Academy converter	Secondary • Voluntary controlled school	Secondary • Community school
Location	Bury St Edmunds Suffolk IP32 6RF	Bury St Edmunds Suffolk IP33 3BH	Bury St Edmunds Suffolk IP31 3PB
Latest Ofsted	2 15 May 2022	2 28 Mar 2019	2 1 May 2018
Ofsted report	—	—	—
Pupils (roll)	≈ 750 🔒 Unlock exact pupils	≈ 1,200 🔒 Unlock exact pupils	≈ 1,500 🔒 Unlock exact pupils
FSM %	20–25% 🔒 Unlock exact FSM %	15–20% 🔒 Unlock exact FSM %	15–20% 🔒 Unlock exact FSM %
Capacity	1020	1200	1800
Capacity utilisation	Under capacity 🔒 View exact %	Near capacity 🔒 View exact %	Under capacity 🔒 View exact %
Age range	—	—	—
Gender	Mixed	Mixed	Mixed
Admissions policy	Non-selective	Non-selective	Non-selective
Trust / Local authority	UNITY SCHOOLS PARTNERSHIP	Suffolk (935)	Suffolk (935)
Website	www.countyhigh.uk	www.king-ed.suffolk.sch.uk	www.thurstoncollege.org
Telephone	01284754857	01284761393	01359230885
SEN provision	None reported	None reported	None reported
Profile	View profile	View profile	View profile

Bury St Edmunds County High School

IP32 6RF

Phase / Type: Secondary • Academy converter
Location: Bury St Edmunds
Suffolk
IP32 6RF
Ofsted: 2 15 May 2022
Pupils: ≈ 750 🔒 Exact value
FSM %: 20–25% 🔒 Exact %
Trust / LA: UNITY SCHOOLS PARTNERSHIP
Website: www.countyhigh.uk
Telephone: 01284754857

King Edward VI CEVC School

IP33 3BH

Phase / Type: Secondary • Voluntary controlled school
Location: Bury St Edmunds
Suffolk
IP33 3BH
Ofsted: 2 28 Mar 2019
Pupils: ≈ 1,200 🔒 Exact value
FSM %: 15–20% 🔒 Exact %
Trust / LA: Suffolk (935)
Website: www.king-ed.suffolk.sch.uk
Telephone: 01284761393

Thurston Community College

IP31 3PB

Phase / Type: Secondary • Community school
Location: Bury St Edmunds
Suffolk
IP31 3PB
Ofsted: 2 1 May 2018
Pupils: ≈ 1,500 🔒 Exact value
FSM %: 15–20% 🔒 Exact %
Trust / LA: Suffolk (935)
Website: www.thurstoncollege.org
Telephone: 01359230885

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Map of compared schools

How are these comparisons built?

We line up public school data side-by-side. Ofsted “headline” judgement is shown with the publication date when available. Exact pupil counts and precise FSM% are available to Pro users; everyone sees rounded values.

What if a school has a recent ungraded visit?

Ungraded visits (Section 8) check whether the previous graded judgement still stands, but do not replace it. We keep the latest graded judgement as the headline until a new graded inspection is published.

Why can’t I see exact numbers?

To keep the service sustainable, we show approximate pupils and bucketed FSM% to free users. Upgrade to AllSchools Pro to unlock precise figures and exports.

How should I choose a school?

Start with the most recent graded Ofsted judgement, then check whether it aligns with your child’s needs. Look at distance and travel, typical class sizes (roll vs capacity), and the school’s admissions policy. Speak to the school, arrange a visit, and ask about pastoral support and enrichment.

What should I look for when comparing schools?

Compare headline Ofsted and publication dates for recency; check FSM% and local context; scan capacity utilisation (under, near, or over capacity); and review trust/local authority for governance. If available, read the official Ofsted report for curriculum and safeguarding detail.