Culford School
Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk, East of England · IP28 6TX
Spanning the full sweep of childhood from age one through to eighteen, Culford School is a Methodist independent school set in Bury St. Edmunds, with both day and boarding pupils among its roughly 890 on roll. The Independent Schools Inspectorate rated it excellent for both education quality and personal development, and found all compliance standards met. Around 137 pupils make up the sixth form, and a notable proportion of the school, close to 22 per cent, receives some form of SEN support. Under Head Mrs Claire Bentley, the school combines a wide co-curricular sporting offer with a broad academic programme.
890
Pupils
excellent
ISI
£30,780
Day fees / yr
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Open in Google Maps ↗Overview & data
- Gender
- Mixed
- Type
- independent (fee-paying) school
- Age range
- 1-18
- Pupils
- 890
- Location
- Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk, East of England
- Website
- http://www.culford.co.uk/
- Telephone
- 01284 728615
Entrance & admissions
- Entry age
- 11
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Headteacher
Head Mrs Claire Bentley MEd
Latest results
Attainment 8
31.3
National average 46.9
GCSE grade 5+ (English & Maths)
0%
National average 47%
GCSE grade 9-7
53%
A-level A*-A
34%
A-level A*-B
67%
Teaching & academics
At sixth form, just over a third of A-level entries reach A*-A and two-thirds reach A*-B, with a wide subject menu spanning sciences, humanities, business and the creative arts. At GCSE, 53 per cent of grades fall in the 9-7 range. Parents should note that the published Attainment 8 figure of 31.3 sits well below the national average of 46.9, and the reported 0 per cent achieving grade 5+ in English and Maths is striking against a national 47 per cent, so it is worth discussing how these measures are calculated directly with the school. An EPQ is available alongside GCSEs and A-levels for pupils wanting to extend independent study.
Sixth form
- Sixth-form pupils
- 137
Popular A-level subjects
Qualifications offered
Learning support & SEN
- SEN support
- 21.9%
- EHC plans
- 0%
Arts & extracurricular
Scholarships
Languages
Popular GCSE subjects
Sport
Main sports
Beyond the classroom
Sport is a clear strength, with tennis, rugby, hockey, swimming and golf all prominent and supported by dedicated scholarships in each. Awards also extend across academic, art, design, drama and music routes, giving talented pupils a range of entry points. Mobile phones are not permitted, a policy that signals the school's emphasis on focus and presence.
Ethos & heritage
- Religious character
- Methodist
- Boarding
- Yes
Mobile phone policy
Pupils are not allowed to bring in a mobile phone.
Money matters
- Day fees (per year)
- £30,780
- Boarding fees (per year)
- £39,510 - £48,795
Inspection reports
- ISI rating
- excellent
- ISI personal development
- excellent
- Last inspected
- 30 April 2024
The last word
A broad, all-through Methodist school where boarding, sport and a wide scholarship programme stand out. Families drawn to its strengths should look closely at the published attainment data and ask the school to put it in context.
The Passmate verdict
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Culford School 11+: frequently asked questions
Where is Culford School located?
Culford School is located at Culford, Bury St. Edmunds, IP28 6TX.
What type of school is Culford School?
Culford School is an independent (fee-paying) school in East of England.
How many pupils attend Culford School?
Culford School has approximately 890 pupils on roll.
What is Culford School's inspection rating?
Culford School is inspected by the ISI and was judged "excellent" at its inspection on 30 April 2024.
Compiled from public data. Last checked June 2026.