MixedIndependentBoarding

Ipswich School

Ipswich, Suffolk, East of England · IP1 3SG

Founded in 1528, Ipswich School carries nearly five centuries of history into the present day as a large, mixed independent school in Suffolk with a Church of England character. Around 968 pupils are taught here, of whom 261 are in the sixth form, and the school offers both day and boarding places. A favourable pupil-to-teacher ratio of about 12 underpins the close attention pupils receive, and the Independent Schools Inspectorate rated the school excellent for both education and personal development at its most recent inspection. Under Head Nick Gregory, it suits families seeking an academically ambitious environment with the option of boarding.

968

Pupils

excellent

ISI

£26,547

Day fees / yr

Prepare for the 11+ free →School website ↗

Free month · No card needed · Cancel anytime

Schools nearby

Open in Google Maps ↗

Overview & data

Gender: Mixed
Type: independent (fee-paying) school
Age range: 11-18
Pupils: 968
Pupil:teacher ratio: 12
Location: Ipswich, Suffolk, East of England
Website: www.ipswich.school
Telephone: 01473 408300

Entrance & admissions

Entry age: 11

Want your child to win a place at Ipswich 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 Ipswich School's 11+ format
See precisely where your child stands, topic by topic
A profile of how they think - not just scores

Try Passmate for free →

Free month · No card needed

Headteacher

Head Nick Gregory

Latest results

Attainment 8

68.1

National average 46.9

GCSE grade 5+ (English & Maths)

92%

National average 47%

GCSE grade 9-7

60%

A-level A*-A

52%

A-level A*-B

82%

Teaching & academics

Results sit well above national benchmarks: the average Attainment 8 score of 68.1 compares with a national figure of 46.9, and 92% of pupils gain grade 5 or above in English and Maths against a national average of 47%. At GCSE, 60% of grades fall in the 9-7 range, and at A-level 52% reach A*-A with 82% at A*-B. The curriculum spans GCSE, A-level, BTEC and the EPQ, with Mathematics, Economics, History, Psychology and Geography among the most popular sixth-form choices, and four modern languages including Russian on offer.

Sixth form

Sixth-form pupils: 261

Popular A-level subjects

MathematicsEconomicsHistoryPsychologyGeography

Qualifications offered

GCSEA-levelBTECEPQ

Learning support & SEN

SEN support: 6.8%
EHC plans: 0%

Arts & extracurricular

Scholarships

Academic (Queen's Scholarships)SportsMusicDramaArtAll-rounder

Languages

FrenchSpanishGermanRussian

Popular GCSE subjects

MathematicsEnglish LiteratureEnglish LanguageBiologyChemistry

Sport

Main sports

HockeyNetballRugbyCricket

Beyond the classroom

Sport is a strong thread, with hockey, netball, rugby and cricket forming the mainstays of the programme. Scholarships in sport, music, drama, art and as an all-rounder signal the breadth of opportunity beyond the classroom.

Ethos & heritage

Founded: 1528
Religious character: C of E
Boarding: Yes

Money matters

Day fees (per year): £24,312 - £26,547
Boarding fees (per year): £51,738 - £53,973

Founding Futures scheme - means tested bursary support

Inspection reports

ISI rating: excellent
ISI personal development: excellent
Last inspected: 25 November 2025

Read the full inspection report ↗

The last word

A historic, high-performing independent school where strong academics meet genuine boarding and scholarship options. Means-tested support through the Founding Futures scheme helps widen who can access it.

The Passmate verdict