Abbeygate Sixth Form College

Abbeygate Sixth Form College has demonstrated outstanding overall effectiveness in its inaugural inspection. The college, established in 2019, offers a broad range of A-level subjects to around 900 students and is part of the Suffolk Academies Trust. The findings reveal exceptional quality of education, positive student behaviour, and a strong leadership framework. Notable strengths include a highly ambitious curriculum that expands students' skills and knowledge, along with high attendance rates and supportive learning environments that foster student well-being and engagement.

Strengths

• Outstanding quality of education and leadership.
• Highly ambitious curriculum that extends beyond the core subjects.
• Strong independent study skills among students.
• Effective careers programme that supports future opportunities.
• High levels of student engagement in extracurricular activities.

In 2024–25, 0.0% of pupils at Abbeygate Sixth Form College were suspended at least once (nationally 7.3%). No pupils were permanently excluded.

Pupils suspended at least once

Source: Department for Education, Suspensions and permanent exclusions in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). A pupil can be suspended more than once, so suspensions per 100 pupils can be higher than the share of pupils suspended. Very small numbers are hidden by the DfE. Exclusion figures dropped in 2020 and 2021 because of school closures.

In 2025–26 Abbeygate Sixth Form College had 26.0 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for secondary schools was 16.7). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 13.6% were no longer at the school a year later (nationally 14.1%).

Pupils per teacher

Teachers who left the school within a year

Source: Department for Education, School workforce in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). Pupils per teacher counts full-time-equivalent pupils and teachers. Turnover is the share of a year's teachers (full-time equivalent) who were not at the school the following year, whether they moved to another school or left state-funded teaching. Turnover and sickness figures run one year behind the ratios. Sick leave is the share of teachers who took at least one day in the year, so it swings widely at small schools, where a few teachers can make it 0% or 100%. The national figures are for all state schools of the same type.

In 2025–26, 9.8% of pupils at Abbeygate Sixth Form College were on SEN support (nationally 14.1%) and 0.8% had an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 3.5%).

Pupils by main type of need

Source: Department for Education, Special educational needs in England (the 2025–26 school census). SEN support is extra help in school without an EHC plan. National figures are for all state-funded secondary schools. Counts are as published, with small numbers not hidden.

In 2024–25 Abbeygate Sixth Form College received £6,766 and spent £7,071 for each of its 1,114 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £1,866,000 (£1,675 per pupil).

Across all 8 schools of Eastern Education Group Trust, income was £10,066 and spending £10,047 per pupil.

Income per pupil

Spending per pupil

Source: Department for Education, Financial Benchmarking and Insights Tool. Each year is the one the financial year ends in (2024 is 2023–24). Academy figures include a share of the trust's central services, shared out by pupil numbers, and are rounded to the nearest £1,000. Premises costs were defined differently from 2024, so compare them across that gap with care.

• Primary Schools
• Secondary Schools

All schools in Bury St Edmunds · Suffolk local authority: places and applications

Abbeygate Sixth Form College is part of Eastern Education Group Trust, which runs 10 schools. The nearest others:

• Priory School Bury St Edmunds
• Woolpit Primary Academy Bury St Edmunds
• Stanton Primary School Bury St. Edmunds
• Exning Primary School Newmarket
• Chalk Hill Sudbury
• One Sixth Form College Ipswich
• Stone Lodge Academy Ipswich
• Duke of Lancaster School Fakenham
• Sunrise Academy Lowestoft

What is Abbeygate Sixth Form College's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Abbeygate Sixth Form College is Outstanding, from an inspection in June 2023.

When was Abbeygate Sixth Form College last inspected by Ofsted?

Abbeygate Sixth Form College was last inspected in June 2023.

How many pupils does Abbeygate Sixth Form College have?

Abbeygate Sixth Form College has 1,163 pupils on roll.

What age range does Abbeygate Sixth Form College cover?

Abbeygate Sixth Form College for pupils aged 16 to 19.

Where is Abbeygate Sixth Form College?

Abbeygate Sixth Form College is at Beetons Way, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP33 3YU.