The short version
Average GCSE results. At capacity. Rated Good by Ofsted (2017).
- GCSE results are broadly in line with the national average (Attainment 8: 46.1 vs national 43.8)
- Rated Good by Ofsted in 2017
- The school is at capacity (115% full)
Performance
DfE published dataOfficial DfE Results
Attainment 8
Average points across 8 GCSE subjects
46.1
2.3 vs nationalEnglish & maths (grade 5+)
Strong pass in both core subjects
46%
3.9pp vs nationalEBacc entry
Academic subjects including a language
55%
A-Level Average
Mean grade across subjects
B-
A-Level Value Added
Progress vs expected
+0.12
Band 3Source: Department for Education Performance Tables 2024-25
Post-GCSE Destinations
These figures track pupils 6 months after leaving. Source: DfE destination measures.
Sustained destination
In education, employment or training
96%
Continuing education
Sixth form, FE college, or school
92%
Employment
Directly into work
3%
Not sustained
Not in education, employment or training
3%
Based on 272 leavers
Source: DfE Destination Measures 2024/25
Attendance
In practice: Pupils miss about 16 days per year on average — nearly a month of school.
21% of pupils miss 10% or more of school
4% of pupils miss half or more of school sessions
Source: DfE School Census
Staffing
On average, 22 pupils share each qualified teacher, but with teaching assistants there's 1 adult for every 14 pupils.
Staff breakdown
Plus 113 other support staff
Source: DfE School Workforce Census
School details
Published dataProfile
- Type
- Academy converter
- Phase
- Secondary
- Ages
- 11–18
- Intake
- Mixed
Numbers
- Pupils
- 1,615
- Capacity
- 100%
- FSM
- 19.4%
- Admissions
- Non-selective
Governance
- Local authority
- Suffolk
- Trust
- UNITY SCHOOLS PARTNERSHIP
- Head
- Mr Craig Lewis (Headteacher)
Provisions
- Sixth form
- Yes
Inspection record
Official linksSchool inspection
4 official reports linked on this page, including 3 earlier reports.
Previous reports
Location
Wells Hall Road, Great Cornard, Sudbury, Suffolk, CO10 0NH
Town setting
Schools nearby
Within 2.5 kmWells Hall Primary School
Primary · Very close
Pot Kiln Primary School
Primary · 1.1km away
Chalk Hill
Academy · 1.4km away
St Gregory Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School
Primary · 2.5km away
St Joseph's Roman Catholic Primary School
Primary · 2.7km away
Tudor Church of England Primary School, Sudbury
Primary · 2.7km away
Ormiston Sudbury Academy
Secondary · 2.8km away
Questions parents ask
Is Thomas Gainsborough School a selective school?
No. Thomas Gainsborough School is non-selective, so admission does not depend on an entrance exam.
What is Thomas Gainsborough School's Ofsted rating?
Thomas Gainsborough School was rated Good at its most recent inspection in November 2024. Full reports are linked on this page.
How many pupils attend Thomas Gainsborough School?
Thomas Gainsborough School currently has 1,615 pupils on roll, according to the latest Department for Education data.
What ages does Thomas Gainsborough School take?
Thomas Gainsborough School caters for pupils aged 11 to 18. It is classified as a secondary school.
Where is Thomas Gainsborough School?
Thomas Gainsborough School is in Sudbury, CO10 0NH, in the Suffolk local authority area. The map on this page shows the exact location and nearby schools.
Does Thomas Gainsborough School have a sixth form?
Yes, Thomas Gainsborough School has a sixth form, so pupils can continue to A-levels or equivalent qualifications without changing school.
Premium school profiles
Researching a selective school?
We hold deep admissions intelligence on the UK's top selective schools — exam breakdowns, interview formats, and parent strategy briefs.