Ipswich High School
School summary
Founded in 1878, Ipswich High School is a mixed independent school in Suffolk educating around 526 pupils from age 3 to 18, with day and boarding places available. The Independent Schools Inspectorate rated it good overall in its most recent inspection, with personal development judged excellent and all compliance requirements met. A pupil-to-teacher ratio of roughly eight to one means small classes and close attention, and a notably high proportion of pupils, over a quarter, receive SEN support. Entry at 11 is offered, and the school suits families wanting a rounded education with strong pastoral care within a relatively small community.
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
48%
National average 23%
A-level A*-A
28%
National average 28%
A-level A*-B
63%
National average 55%
Inspection reports
- ISI rating
- good
- ISI personal development
- excellent
- Last inspected
- 30 April 2024
Teaching & academics
Results sit well above national benchmarks at GCSE, where 48% of grades fall in the 9-7 range against a national average of 23%. At A-level the picture is solid, with 63% of grades at A*-B compared with a national 55%, while the top A*-A band matches the national average at 28%. The sixth form is small at around 65 pupils, and popular A-level choices include Psychology, Mathematics, Chemistry, Business Studies and Biology, alongside the option of an EPQ.
GCSE subjects
Head · Dan Browning
Sixth form
- Sixth-form pupils
- 65
Popular A-level subjects
Qualifications offered
Beyond the classroom
Sport centres on rugby, football and cricket, and the breadth of the curriculum extends to creative subjects such as Drama, Dance, Music and Art. Scholarships are available across academic, dance, drama, music and sporting strengths, signalling where talent is recognised and supported.
Main sports
School life & ethos
- Founded
- 1878
- Religious character
- None
- Boarding
- Yes
- SEN support
- 28.28%
- EHC plans
- 0.56%
Mobile phone policy
Pupils are permitted to bring mobile phones and digital devices to school, but their use is subject to rules appropriate for each year group together with rules for the responsible use of mobile phones.
Fees & bursaries
- Day fees (per year)
- £14,745 - £23,310
- Boarding fees (per year)
- £38,784 - £50,859
Schools nearby
Orwell Park School
Nacton, Ipswich, Suffolk, East of England
New Skill Centre
Ipswich, East of England
Royal Hospital School
Ipswich, East of England
St Joseph's College
Ipswich, East of England
Redstone Hall School
Ipswich, East of England
Ipswich School
Ipswich, East of England
Watch Passmate decide how to teach.
Answer as a child would. Left: what they see. Right: what it learns about them.
A small, all-through independent with genuinely strong GCSE results and an excellent record on personal development. Worth a close look for families who value individual attention and a wide subject range.
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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Ipswich High School 11+: frequently asked questions
Compiled from public data. Last checked 5 June 2026.