Castle EAST School
- Special
- Free schools special
- Ages 9 to 16
URN 148541 · Suffolk · EAST ANGLIAN SCHOOLS TRUST LTD
Inspection
Ofsted management information, as at 30 September 2026.
Latest graded inspection
19 March 2024Overall effectiveness
Outstanding
- Quality of education
- Outstanding
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Outstanding
- Personal development
- Outstanding
- Leadership and management
- Outstanding
- Safeguarding is effective
- Yes
Full inspection (section 5)
Under the earlier framework, inspections gave an overall effectiveness grade.
Read the reports on Ofsted’s website. Source: Ofsted, State-funded school inspections and outcomes: management information.
Attendance
Against Suffolk and England, special schools.
Overall absence
2024/2515.6%
- Suffolk
- 12.8%
- England
- 12.8%
2.8 percentage points higher than England.
Show the figures as a table
| Year | This school | Suffolk | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017/18 | Not published | 10.4% | 10.2% |
| 2018/19 | Not published | 9.7% | 10.1% |
| 2020/21 | Not published | 14.6% | 15.2% |
| 2021/22 | 19.7% | 13.7% | 13.2% |
| 2022/23 | 17.8% | 14.3% | 13.0% |
| 2023/24 | 16.2% | 14.0% | 13.0% |
| 2024/25 | 15.6% | 12.8% | 12.8% |
Sessions missed for any reason, as a share of all possible sessions in the school year. Source: Department for Education, Explore Education Statistics, Pupil absence in schools in England, 2024/25.
Persistent absence
2024/2541.6%
- Suffolk
- 34.8%
- England
- 35.3%
6.3 percentage points higher than England.
Show the figures as a table
| Year | This school | Suffolk | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017/18 | Not published | 28.7% | 29.6% |
| 2018/19 | Not published | 27.2% | 28.8% |
| 2020/21 | Not published | 44.7% | 48.9% |
| 2021/22 | 53.1% | 43.6% | 40.4% |
| 2022/23 | 45.8% | 40.1% | 38.3% |
| 2023/24 | 48.3% | 38.4% | 37.2% |
| 2024/25 | 41.6% | 34.8% | 35.3% |
Pupils who missed 10% or more of their possible sessions, as a share of pupils. Source: Department for Education, Explore Education Statistics, Pupil absence in schools in England, 2024/25.
Severe absence
2024/259.6%
- Suffolk
- 7.3%
- England
- 6.9%
2.7 percentage points higher than England.
Show the figures as a table
| Year | This school | Suffolk | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017/18 | Not published | 4.3% | 4.4% |
| 2018/19 | Not published | 3.2% | 4.6% |
| 2020/21 | Not published | 5.6% | 5.6% |
| 2021/22 | 21.9% | 8.8% | 5.8% |
| 2022/23 | 13.6% | 7.4% | 6.2% |
| 2023/24 | 13.5% | 7.6% | 6.7% |
| 2024/25 | 9.6% | 7.3% | 6.9% |
Pupils who missed 50% or more of their possible sessions, as a share of pupils. Source: Department for Education, Explore Education Statistics, Pupil absence in schools in England, 2024/25.
Suspensions and permanent exclusions
Against Suffolk and England, special schools.
Suspensions per 100 pupils
2024/256.67
- Suffolk
- 13.19
- England
- 12.32
5.65 lower than England.
Show the figures as a table
| Year | This school | Suffolk | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017/18 | Not published | 8.99 | 12.34 |
| 2018/19 | Not published | 13.59 | 11.32 |
| 2019/20 | Not published | 8.56 | 7.76 |
| 2020/21 | Not published | 11.92 | 7.29 |
| 2021/22 | 74.07 | 7.19 | 9.60 |
| 2022/23 | 35.42 | 13.70 | 10.99 |
| 2023/24 | 21.79 | 13.94 | 12.62 |
| 2024/25 | 6.67 | 13.19 | 12.32 |
Suspensions in the school year for every 100 pupils on roll. One pupil can be suspended more than once. Source: Department for Education, Explore Education Statistics, Suspensions and permanent exclusions in England, 2024/25.
Permanent exclusions per 100 pupils
2024/250.00
- Suffolk
- 0.28
- England
- 0.08
0.08 lower than England.
Show the figures as a table
| Year | This school | Suffolk | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017/18 | Not published | 0.00 | 0.07 |
| 2018/19 | Not published | 0.00 | 0.06 |
| 2019/20 | Not published | 0.00 | 0.04 |
| 2020/21 | Not published | 0.08 | 0.03 |
| 2021/22 | 0.00 | 0.22 | 0.05 |
| 2022/23 | 2.08 | 0.13 | 0.08 |
| 2023/24 | 0.00 | 0.06 | 0.08 |
| 2024/25 | 0.00 | 0.28 | 0.08 |
Permanent exclusions in the school year for every 100 pupils on roll. Source: Department for Education, Explore Education Statistics, Suspensions and permanent exclusions in England, 2024/25.
Key stage 2 results
Against Suffolk and England, primary schools.
Reading, writing and maths: expected standard
2024/2517%
Not compared with mainstream schools.
Show the figures as a table
| Year | This school |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | Not published |
| 2023/24 | 0% |
| 2024/25 | 17% |
Pupils at the end of key stage 2 who met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined. Source: Department for Education, Explore Education Statistics, Key stage 2 attainment, 2024/25.
Reading, writing and maths: higher standard
2024/250%
Not compared with mainstream schools.
Show the figures as a table
| Year | This school |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | Not published |
| 2023/24 | 0% |
| 2024/25 | 0% |
Pupils at the end of key stage 2 who met the higher standard in reading, writing and maths combined. Source: Department for Education, Explore Education Statistics, Key stage 2 attainment, 2024/25.
Key stage 4 results
Against Suffolk and England, secondary schools.
Attainment 8
2025/26 (provisional)21.3
Not compared with mainstream schools.
Show the figures as a table
| Year | This school |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 19.1 |
| 2024/25 | 9.0 |
| 2025/26 (provisional) | 21.3 |
The average of pupils' points across eight GCSE-level qualifications, with English and maths counted twice. Source: Department for Education, Explore Education Statistics, Key stage 4 performance, 2025/26.
English and maths: grade 4 or above
2025/26 (provisional)33%
Not compared with mainstream schools.
Show the figures as a table
| Year | This school |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 38% |
| 2024/25 | 14% |
| 2025/26 (provisional) | 33% |
Pupils at the end of key stage 4 with grade 4 or above in both English and maths. Source: Department for Education, Explore Education Statistics, Key stage 4 performance, 2025/26.
English and maths: grade 5 or above
2025/26 (provisional)13%
Not compared with mainstream schools.
Show the figures as a table
| Year | This school |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 0% |
| 2024/25 | 0% |
| 2025/26 (provisional) | 13% |
Pupils at the end of key stage 4 with grade 5 or above in both English and maths. Source: Department for Education, Explore Education Statistics, Key stage 4 performance, 2025/26.
Pupils
Against Suffolk and England, special schools.
Eligible for free school meals
2024/2541.7%
- Suffolk
- 45.8%
- England
- 48.8%
7.1 percentage points lower than England.
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| Year | This school | Suffolk | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021/22 | 25.9% | 37.7% | 44.4% |
| 2022/23 | 47.9% | 41.4% | 45.6% |
| 2023/24 | 41.0% | 43.6% | 47.1% |
| 2024/25 | 41.7% | 45.8% | 48.8% |
Pupils known to be eligible for free school meals on census day in January. Source: Department for Education, Explore Education Statistics, Schools, pupils and their characteristics, 2024/25.
SEN support
2024/250.0%
- Suffolk
- 1.2%
- England
- 0.5%
0.5 percentage points lower than England.
Show the figures as a table
| Year | This school | Suffolk | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021/22 | 0.0% | 1.1% | 0.9% |
| 2022/23 | 0.0% | 1.4% | 0.8% |
| 2023/24 | 0.0% | 1.4% | 0.7% |
| 2024/25 | 0.0% | 1.2% | 0.5% |
Pupils receiving special educational needs support without an education, health and care plan. Source: Department for Education, Explore Education Statistics, Schools, pupils and their characteristics, 2024/25.
Education, health and care plan
2024/25100.0%
- Suffolk
- 98.8%
- England
- 99.5%
0.5 percentage points higher than England.
Show the figures as a table
| Year | This school | Suffolk | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021/22 | 100.0% | 98.9% | 99.1% |
| 2022/23 | 100.0% | 98.6% | 99.2% |
| 2023/24 | 100.0% | 98.6% | 99.3% |
| 2024/25 | 100.0% | 98.8% | 99.5% |
Pupils with an education, health and care plan. Source: Department for Education, Explore Education Statistics, Schools, pupils and their characteristics, 2024/25.
First language other than English
2024/250.0%
- Suffolk
- 7.7%
- England
- 14.4%
14.4 percentage points lower than England.
Show the figures as a table
| Year | This school | Suffolk | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021/22 | 0.0% | 8.2% | 14.5% |
| 2022/23 | 0.0% | 8.0% | 14.4% |
| 2023/24 | 0.0% | 7.6% | 14.4% |
| 2024/25 | 0.0% | 7.7% | 14.4% |
Pupils whose first language is known or believed to be other than English. Source: Department for Education, Explore Education Statistics, Schools, pupils and their characteristics, 2024/25.
Teachers
Against Suffolk and England, special schools.
Pupils per qualified teacher
2025/267.8
- Suffolk
- 6.8
- England
- 7.3
0.5 higher than England.
Show the figures as a table
| Year | This school | Suffolk | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017/18 | Not published | 6.6 | 6.7 |
| 2018/19 | Not published | 6.7 | 6.8 |
| 2019/20 | Not published | 6.6 | 7.0 |
| 2020/21 | Not published | 6.4 | 6.8 |
| 2021/22 | 4.0 | 6.5 | 6.9 |
| 2022/23 | 4.9 | 6.6 | 7.0 |
| 2023/24 | 6.8 | 6.7 | 7.1 |
| 2024/25 | 7.0 | 6.9 | 7.3 |
| 2025/26 | 7.8 | 6.8 | 7.3 |
Full-time equivalent pupils for each full-time equivalent qualified teacher. Source: Department for Education, Explore Education Statistics, School workforce in England, 2025/26.
Teacher sickness absence
2024/253.4 days
- Suffolk
- 4.9 days
- England
- 5.0 days
1.6 days lower than England.
Compared with all state-funded schools: DfE publishes this measure for all schools, not by phase.
Show the figures as a table
| Year | This school | Suffolk | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017/18 | Not published | 3.7 days | 4.0 days |
| 2018/19 | Not published | 3.5 days | 4.0 days |
| 2019/20 | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| 2020/21 | Not published | 3.1 days | 3.9 days |
| 2021/22 | Not published | 6.4 days | 6.3 days |
| 2022/23 | 16.1 days | 5.0 days | 5.2 days |
| 2023/24 | 6.0 days | 4.9 days | 5.3 days |
| 2024/25 | 3.4 days | 4.9 days | 5.0 days |
Days lost to sickness absence in the school year, averaged across all teachers. Source: Department for Education, Explore Education Statistics, School workforce in England, 2024/25.
Finance
Academies report their accounts as part of their trust, so DfE publishes no school-level balance for this school. The trust’s figures are in DfE’s Financial Benchmarking and Insights Tool.
See this school in the Financial Benchmarking and Insights Tool
About the school
- Pupils on roll
- 130
- Capacity
- 120
- Type
- Free schools special
- Phase
- Special
- Age range
- 9 to 16
- Sixth form
- Does not have a sixth form
- Admissions
- Non-selective
- Gender
- Mixed
- Trust
- EAST ANGLIAN SCHOOLS TRUST LTD
- Opened
- 1 September 2021
- Setting
- Larger rural: Further from a major town or city
- Constituency
- Waveney Valley
- Special educational needs provision
- ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder
- Resourced provision
- Resourced provision
- Deprivation of the area (IDACI)
- Decile 3 of 10 (1 is the most deprived tenth of neighbourhoods)
Address: Hillside Road East, Bungay, Suffolk, NR35 1JS
Website: www.castleeastschool.co.uk/
Telephone: 01986808651
Sources and corrections
Every figure on this page names its source and period. This release was built on 20 October 2026.
- Department for Education: Get Information about Schools: establishment data (GIAS establishment extract 2026-10-20)
- Ofsted: State-funded school inspections and outcomes: management information (Latest inspections as at 2026-09-30; All inspections, 2018/19; All inspections, 2019/20; All inspections, 2020/21; All inspections, 2021/22; All inspections, 2022/23; All inspections, 2023/24; All inspections, 2024/25; All inspections, 2025/26)
- Department for Education, Explore Education Statistics: Pupil absence in schools in England (absence-3term-school, 2013/14 to 2024/25 [pinned data set id])
- Department for Education, Explore Education Statistics: Suspensions and permanent exclusions in England (exc-school, 2006/07 to 2024/25 [pinned data set id]; exc-ap-school, 2013/14 to 2024/25 [pinned data set id]; exc-geography, 2006/07 to 2024/25 [pinned data set id]; exc-ap-geography, 2013/14 to 2024/25 [pinned data set id])
- Department for Education, Explore Education Statistics: Key stage 2 attainment (ks2-school, 2022/23 to 2024/25 [pinned data set id]; ks2-geography, 2015/16 to 2025/26 [pinned data set id])
- Department for Education, Explore Education Statistics: Key stage 4 performance (ks4-school, 2023/24 to 2025/26 [pinned data set id]; ks4-geography, 2018/19 to 2025/26 [pinned data set id])
- Department for Education, Explore Education Statistics: Schools, pupils and their characteristics (School census, January 2022 (performance tables, 2021 to 2022); School census, January 2023 (performance tables, 2022 to 2023); School census, January 2024 (performance tables, 2023 to 2024); School census, January 2025 (performance tables, 2024 to 2025))
- Department for Education, Explore Education Statistics: School workforce in England (ptr-school, 2010/11 to 2025/26 [pinned data set id]; ptr-geography, 2010/11 to 2025/26 [pinned data set id]; sickness-school, 2009/10 to 2024/25 [pinned data set id]; sickness-geography, 2009/10 to 2024/25 [pinned data set id])
- Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: English indices of deprivation 2025: Income Deprivation Affecting Children Index (English indices of deprivation 2025, File 7 (2021 LSOAs))
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