Culford School
School summary
Set in the Suffolk countryside near Bury St. Edmunds, Culford is a Methodist-founded independent school that takes children from age one all the way through to eighteen, with boarding available alongside day places. Around 890 pupils are on roll, making it a medium-sized school with a sixth form of 137. The Independent Schools Inspectorate rated it excellent in both education quality and personal development, with all compliance standards met. A notable feature is the firm line on technology: pupils are not permitted to bring mobile phones into school.
Where every mark matters.
Places are limited and demand is high, so exam performance is what sets candidates apart. Passmate turns the months ahead into ten focused minutes a day on the exact topics this school tests.
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Latest results
GCSE grade 9-7
53%
National average 23%
A-level A*-A
34%
National average 28%
A-level A*-B
67%
National average 55%
Inspection reports
- ISI rating
- excellent
- ISI personal development
- excellent
- Last inspected
- 30 April 2024
Teaching & academics
Results sit well above national benchmarks: 53% of GCSE entries reached grades 9-7, against a national average of 23%, while at A-level 34% achieved A*-A and 67% reached A*-B. The curriculum runs through GCSE and A-level, with the EPQ available for independent research, and the sciences, humanities and creative subjects all feature strongly in pupils' choices. Notably, 21.9% of pupils receive SEN support, suggesting a school used to working with a range of learning needs.
Languages
GCSE subjects
Head · Mrs Claire Bentley MEd
Sixth form
- Sixth-form pupils
- 137
A-level subjects
Qualifications offered
Beyond the classroom
Sport is a clear strength, with tennis, rugby, hockey, swimming and golf among the main games, and dedicated scholarships in several of these. Beyond the pitch, scholarships in art, design, drama and music point to genuine breadth in the creative life of the school. The presence of subjects such as dance, astronomy and theatre studies adds further variety.
Main sports
School life & ethos
- Religious character
- Methodist
- Boarding
- Yes
- SEN support
- 21.9%
- EHC plans
- 0%
Mobile phone policy
Pupils are not allowed to bring in a mobile phone.
Fees & bursaries
- Day fees (per year)
- £30,780
- Boarding fees (per year)
- £39,510 - £48,795
Schools nearby
Abbey Gardens School
Bury St Edmunds, East of England
South Lee School
Bury St Edmunds, East of England
Thetford Grammar School
East of England
The Damara School
Thetford, East of England
Compass Community School Eld Park
Thetford, East of England
On Track Education Mildenhall
Mildenhall, East of England
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Answer as a child would. Left: what they see. Right: what it learns about them.
A well-rounded all-through school where strong academic results meet a serious commitment to sport, the arts and screen-free school days. Boarding and day fees place it firmly at the premium end.
That’s where Passmate comes in. Tutoring is the most effective thing in a child’s preparation - a well-tutored child can outperform the vast majority of their peers. Passmate works alongside your tutor, not instead of them: it learns how your child thinks, finds the gaps, and shows the tutor exactly where to spend each session - so the limited time you have lands on what actually decides a place.
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Culford School 11+: frequently asked questions
Compiled from public data. Last checked 5 June 2026.