Ages 
In an area with several successful schools catering for a wide variety of tastes, Ipswich High is carving out a role as a successful academic co-ed school that takes seriously the emotional health and happiness of its pupils. The idyllic setting provides space, tranquillity and emotional uplift for everyone lucky enough to be there.
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Overview & data
- Pupil numbers
- 526 ·
- Sixth form numbers
- 65 ·
- Offers boarding
- Yes ·
- Religion
- None
- Fees
- Day £14,745 - £23,310; Boarding £38,784 - £50,859 pa
- Local authority
- Suffolk County Council
Headteacher
Head
Dan Browning
Since January 2023, Dan Browning, a history graduate from Anglia Ruskin with postgraduate qualifications from Cambridge, UEA and the Institute of Education. Previously headmaster of Wymondham College, one of the country’s leading state boarding
Entrance
For entry to year 7 and above, prospective pupils attend a taster day and sit an exam in maths and English. A reference and school report are requested from the pupil’s current school. Places are allocated in other years subject to
- Open days
- See website
Exit
Quite an exodus after GCSE in year 11, mostly to take A levels at nearby schools and colleges, but this trend seems to be slowing as the school becomes more thoroughly coeducational. In year 13 almost all leave for university or for specialist art,
Latest results
In 2024, 32 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 39 per cent A*/A at A level (64 per cent A*-B).
A level - Average points score (2024)
What is this?
These figures tell you the average grade and average points that pupils achieved in their academic qualifications. A maximum of 60 points are available for a grade A* at A level.
Teaching & learning
‘The teaching is outstanding, nothing is too much trouble,’ said a parent. All parents mention the small classes (an average of 14, and six in the sixth form), which mean teaching can be tailored to pupils’ needs and extra help is easily available
- Qualifications taken in 2024
- A level
- EPQ
- GCSE
Learning support & SEN
The warm environment of the school and small classes mean pupils are reassured and supported as they go through the school. ‘It’s a great place for children who need kindness and understanding,’ said a parent. Pupils with special educational needs
Arts & extracurricular
Get your dancing shoes on – this is one of the rare schools that teaches dance as an examinable subject (GCSE and A level choreography) and offers great opportunities for performance in its specialist studios and theatre. Ballet and modern dance are
Sport
All the team games (rugby, football and cricket included) are played competitively by both sexes, starting in the prep school. Pupils also do PE, swimming and gym and higher up the school there is a variety of other options such as karate and
Boarders
The Dairy House and the Barns, both outbuildings within the Woolverstone Estate, a 10-minute walk from the main school, have been developed to provide high-quality boarding provision. To indicate that facilities have nothing in common with the
Ethos & heritage
Founded originally in 1878 as a pioneer girls school within the GDST, but left the Trust to pursue a future as a co-ed day school with a boarding offer. Forging this new identity, in an area of the country with a wide choice of day and boarding
Pastoral care, inclusivity & discipline
School’s size contributes to the family feeling and parents all mention how well their children settled in, no matter which year they entered. Tutor groups are the basis of all pastoral care and staff are easily contactable by parents if there are
Mobile phone policy
A clear mobile phone policy is a really important part of modern schooling. This school has provided us with their policy.
Mobile phone policy
Provided by the school and not part of our review We recognise that mobile phones and digital devices are an integral part of young people’s culture and way of life and can have considerable value, particularly in relation to personal security and safety. We recognise that such technology will play an increasing part in education in the future, but that we need rules and guidelines to help develop good learning habits and prevent disruption. We aim to educate pupils in the responsible use of technology. 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.
Pupils & parents
Many two-career families, mostly business and professional from surrounding Suffolk and north Essex; boarders virtually all international. Quite a few pupils have a mother or grandmother who was at the school in its previous incarnation within the
Money matters
Scholarships are offered in years 7, 9 and 12 and the Woolverstone Scholarship Programme ensures that talent is developed and given additional support and opportunities to excel. Academic scholarships are awarded on the basis of examination in years
- Fee information
- Day £14,745 - £23,310; Boarding £38,784 - £50,859 pa
The last word
In an area with several successful schools catering for a wide variety of tastes, Ipswich High is carving out a role as a successful academic co-ed school that takes seriously the emotional health and happiness of its pupils. The idyllic setting
