Finborough School
Stowmarket, Suffolk, East of England · IP14 3EF
A small independent day and boarding school spanning the full age range from 2 to 18, Finborough School in Stowmarket draws its character from breadth rather than scale. The Independent Schools Inspectorate rated it excellent for both education and personal development at its most recent inspection, with compliance requirements met. With around 680 pupils, it offers a varied curriculum and significant support for additional needs, with roughly a fifth of pupils on SEN support. Boarding is available, and the school suits families looking for a nurturing, broadly based education over a narrowly academic one.
680
Pupils
excellent
ISI
Free month · No card needed · Cancel anytime
Schools nearby
Open in Google Maps ↗Overview & data
- Gender
- Mixed
- Type
- independent (fee-paying) school
- Age range
- 2-18
- Pupils
- 680
- Location
- Stowmarket, Suffolk, East of England
- Website
- www.finboroughschool.co.uk
- Telephone
- 01449 773600
Entrance & admissions
- Entry age
- 11
Want your child to win a place at Finborough School?
Passmate builds a personalised practice plan from your target schools' exact 11+ topics - so every session moves your child closer to a place.
- Practice matched to Finborough School's 11+ format
- See precisely where your child stands, topic by topic
- A profile of how they think - not just scores
Free month · No card needed
Headteacher
Head Mr Steven Clark
Latest results
Attainment 8
37.5
National average 46.9
GCSE grade 5+ (English & Maths)
1%
National average 47%
Teaching & academics
Headline results sit below national averages, with an Attainment 8 score of 37.5 against 46.9 nationally and a small proportion of pupils gaining grade 5 or above in English and Maths combined. The school's strength lies in choice: a wide spread of GCSE subjects ranging from sciences and languages to drama, music and photography, alongside A-levels and vocational BTEC routes plus the EPQ. Popular sixth-form subjects include psychology, physics, mathematics, economics and the sciences, though the sixth form itself is very small at 37 pupils.
Sixth form
- Sixth-form pupils
- 37
Popular A-level subjects
Qualifications offered
Learning support & SEN
- SEN support
- 21.76%
- EHC plans
- 3.24%
Arts & extracurricular
Languages
Popular GCSE subjects
Beyond the classroom
Physical education and sports studies feature prominently at both GCSE and A-level, pointing to a meaningful place for sport in school life. French and Spanish are both taught, giving pupils a route into modern languages.
Ethos & heritage
- Boarding
- Yes
Inspection reports
- ISI rating
- excellent
- ISI personal development
- excellent
- Last inspected
- 7 November 2023
The last word
Finborough is an inclusive, broadly based independent school where excellent pastoral care matters more than league-table positions. Best suited to families who value support, variety and a personal touch.
The Passmate verdict
Have you considered?
Centre Academy East Anglia
Ipswich, East of England
Old Buckenham Hall School
Brettenham Park, Brettenham, Ipswich, Suffolk, East of England
South Lee School
Bury St Edmunds, East of England
Include Suffolk
Lowestoft, East of England
Ipswich School
Ipswich, East of England
Abbey Gardens School
Bury St Edmunds, East of England
Finborough School 11+: frequently asked questions
Where is Finborough School located?
Finborough School is located at The Hall, Great Finborough, Stowmarket, IP14 3EF.
What type of school is Finborough School?
Finborough School is an independent (fee-paying) school in East of England.
How many pupils attend Finborough School?
Finborough School has approximately 680 pupils on roll.
What is Finborough School's inspection rating?
Finborough School is inspected by the ISI and was judged "excellent" at its inspection on 7 November 2023.
Compiled from public data. Last checked June 2026.