Castle EAST School

Castle East School is performing exceptionally well across all aspects of education, demonstrating outstanding quality in curriculum, student behavior, personal development, and leadership. The school has fostered an environment where students thrive, showcasing a strong sense of community and pride among pupils. High expectations and mutual respect are key elements of the school's ethos, leading to transformative experiences for students and strong academic outcomes, regardless of their starting points. Notably, the school has not been inspected under section 5 before, indicating this is its first evaluation of this kind since opening.

Strengths

• The school provides an ambitious and well-adapted curriculum.
• Pupils exhibit exemplary behavior and strong interpersonal skills.
• Pupils have access to a wide range of clubs and additional opportunities.
• There is a strong emphasis on reading, with effective support for struggling readers.
• Leaders and staff are committed to creating a positive school culture.

In 2024–25 pupils at Castle EAST School attended 84.4% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 41.6% of pupils were persistently absent, missing at least one session in ten (nationally 35.3%).

Sessions missed

Pupils persistently absent

Source: Department for Education, Pupil absence in schools in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). Persistent absence means missing 10% or more of sessions; severe absence means 50% or more. No figures were published for 2019/20.

In 2024–25, 5.0% of pupils at Castle EAST School were suspended at least once (nationally 5.1%). 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 Castle EAST School had 7.4 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 16.5% were no longer at the school a year later (nationally 14.5%).

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 Castle EAST School had 130 pupils, 100.0% of them with an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 99.5%).

It says it provides for: autistic spectrum disorder.

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 special school schools. Counts are as published, with small numbers not hidden.

In 2024–25 Castle EAST School received £21,710 and spent £18,607 for each of its 120 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £161,000 (£1,338 per pupil).

Across all 10 schools of East Anglian Schools Trust Ltd, income was £7,560 and spending £7,510 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 Bungay · Suffolk local authority: places and applications

Castle EAST School is part of East Anglian Schools Trust Ltd, which runs 11 schools. The nearest others:

• Bungay High School Bungay
• Saxmundham Primary School Saxmundham
• Leiston Primary School Leiston
• Easton Primary School Woodbridge
• Wickham Market Primary School Woodbridge
• Aldeburgh Primary School Aldeburgh
• Farlingaye High School Woodbridge
• Kyson Primary School Woodbridge
• Kesgrave High School Ipswich
• Holbrook Academy Ipswich

What is Castle EAST School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Castle EAST School is Outstanding, from an inspection in May 2024.

When was Castle EAST School last inspected by Ofsted?

Castle EAST School was last inspected in May 2024.

How many pupils does Castle EAST School have?

Castle EAST School has 130 pupils on roll.

What age range does Castle EAST School cover?

Castle EAST School for pupils aged 9 to 16.

What are Castle EAST School's GCSE results?

In 2026 its average Attainment 8 score was 21.3, and 13% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in both English and maths GCSE.

What are Castle EAST School's SATs (KS2) results?

In 2025, 17% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths.

Where is Castle EAST School?

Castle EAST School is at Hillside Road East, Bungay, Suffolk, NR35 1JS.