Wenhaston Primary School Review 2026: Village-scale primary with standout KS2 outcomes

For a primary school, the most useful single measure for parents is the combined expected standard in reading, writing and maths at Key Stage 2.

• In 2024, 96.3% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared with the England average of 62%.

• At the higher standard, 44.7% reached greater depth in reading, writing and maths combined, compared with the England average of 8%.

• Reading is a strength: 89% reached the expected standard in reading, and 56% reached the higher standard in reading.

• Maths is exceptionally high: 100% reached the expected standard in maths, and 56% reached the higher standard in maths.

• Science is also very strong: 100% reached the expected standard.

These figures sit alongside scaled scores of 109 in reading and 107 in maths, indicating that attainment is not only broad but also deep for many pupils. (All statistics in this section reflect the most recent published Key Stage 2 results used in this review.)

Rankings add another angle for parents comparing local options. Ranked 2112th in England and 1st in Halesworth for primary outcomes (FindMySchool proprietary ranking based on official data), the school sits above England average and within the top 25% of schools in England for primary performance.

What does that mean in practice? The published figures suggest a cohort leaving Year 6 with very secure basics, and a sizeable group working above the expected standard. For families weighing secondary transition, that typically translates into pupils arriving ready to access more demanding reading, writing and maths without extensive catch-up.

If you are comparing multiple local primaries, the FindMySchool Local Hub and Comparison Tool can help you view these measures side by side, so you can separate headline percentages from the underlying attainment profile.

Curriculum intent is shaped around practical application and communication. A recent curriculum refresh is described as being well sequenced, with planned opportunities to apply learning to real life. The example given is a planetarium visit used to deepen understanding of astronomy while revisiting scientific facts already taught in class. That is a sensible model for small schools, using carefully chosen experiences to make abstract ideas stick, rather than trying to run a constant stream of trips.

Subject leadership is supported by internal guidance. The school describes “Wenhaston Way” subject guides that act as a blueprint for what staff teach and how. That matters in a small setting where teachers may cover multiple subjects across a mixed age group, because clarity and progression prevent repetition and gaps.

Early reading is taken seriously, with structured support for pupils at the earliest stages. Pupils develop phonics knowledge quickly, and there is a specific focus on helping children move from sounding out familiar words to reading fluently, including targeted practice of tricky words and one-to-one support sessions for those who need them. A reading culture is reinforced by pupils talking enthusiastically about favourite authors.

The main improvement point highlighted is a familiar one for high-attaining cohorts: ensuring staff spot quickly when pupils are ready to move onto more complex work. In schools where results are already strong, the next step is often not raising the floor, but improving responsiveness so that the most able pupils keep accelerating rather than waiting.

As a village primary, the main transition point is Year 6 to Year 7. Suffolk’s catchment guidance for the village of Wenhaston indicates Bungay High School as the relevant high school catchment area school (the council notes this guidance can change and should be checked for the relevant year).

In practice, families in this part of Suffolk often weigh several factors at secondary transfer, including catchment priority, travel times, and whether a school is the nearest suitable option for travel assistance. Suffolk County Council explicitly recommends checking nearest suitable schools and understanding how travel eligibility works before applying.

A small-school background can be an advantage at transition because older pupils often have had real responsibility, for example organising team games, contributing to community events, and taking part in decision-making such as sustainability initiatives. The implication is that pupils may arrive at secondary school with the confidence to join clubs, speak up, and manage new routines, which can make Year 7 settle more smoothly.

Wenhaston Primary School is a state school, there are no tuition fees.

Reception entry is coordinated through Suffolk County Council. For 2026-27 entry, the school’s published admission number is 15.

Demand levels suggest steady competition rather than extreme pressure. For the most recent admissions cycle there were 18 applications for 12 offers, a ratio of 1.5 applications per place, and the entry route is marked oversubscribed. For 2025-26 admissions, Suffolk’s school-specific admissions summary shows 12 on-time applications and 12 places allocated to on-time applicants, with 0 refused on time.

The key point for families is that numbers can swing year to year in a small school, because a handful of additional applications can change the pattern. If you are planning a move, treat last year’s picture as a guide, not a guarantee.

Timing matters. Suffolk’s 2026-27 primary application window ran from 12 September 2025 to 15 January 2026, with National Offer Day on 16 April 2026. The council also sets out how late applications are processed after the closing date.

If you are using distance or catchment criteria as part of your decision, it is sensible to use FindMySchool Map Search to understand your own position relative to the school gates and local alternatives, then check the local authority’s current-year admissions arrangements.

Pastoral practice is closely tied to the school’s small scale and its shared language around emotions and behaviour.

One visible strand is the Zones of Regulation framework, used to teach self-regulation by helping children recognise their emotional state, communicate it safely, and use strategies to stay regulated or return to a calmer state. This is particularly helpful in a mixed-age primary because it gives consistent routines for everything from minor friendship issues to bigger anxieties.

Support for pupils with additional needs is described as proactive. Staff identify barriers to learning or attendance, seek specialist advice from external agencies, and adapt curriculum resources and activities to help pupils with special educational needs and disabilities work towards individual targets while still accessing the wider curriculum. The partnership with parents is described as having a significant impact, including improving attendance for pupils who previously struggled to attend regularly.

Safeguarding arrangements are described as effective.

For a small primary, extracurricular provision is best judged by specificity and participation, not by sheer volume.

Forest School

Forest School is a core feature rather than an occasional enrichment session. Sessions are taught in blocks for each year group every Wednesday, with an emphasis on learning skills through outdoor, practical tasks, and taking supported risks appropriate to the setting and the child. The school also links Forest School aims to its wider curriculum drivers, including communication and resilience.

The educational implication is clear. Children who learn well through doing, building, and exploring often gain confidence when lessons include real materials and real decisions. It also supports vocabulary growth because pupils have concrete experiences to talk and write about, which aligns with the school’s emphasis on oracy.

Clubs and activities

The published clubs programme for 2025-26 includes:

• Sports Club (with eligibility changing by term), led by Mr Sanders

• Drama Club, led by Ms Parry

• Games Club, open to all, led by Mrs Cowley

• Handbell Club, led by St Mary’s Church volunteers

Capacity limits are modest, which is normal for a small school and suggests places may need booking promptly when interest is high.

Music

Music opportunities are unusually clear for a village primary. Private tuition is offered for piano and guitar with Mr Barnes, with additional recorder and brass lessons (Key Stage 2 for brass) with Mrs Mower. Lessons take place during the school day on Thursdays.

This matters because instrument learning builds persistence and attention to detail, and it provides a practical route into performance confidence, even for children who are not naturally academic high-flyers.

The school day is structured with an early start option. Breakfast club runs from 8:00, gates open at 8:35, registration is at 8:45, and home time is 3:15. After-school care runs from 3:15 to 4:30.

Wraparound care is run in-house, with published session prices of £2.50 for breakfast club (8:00 to 8:35) and £4.00 for after-school care (3:15 to 4:30). The school also runs extracurricular clubs and activities that extend to 4:15.

For travel, most families will be approaching by car from surrounding villages, and it is worth checking drop-off practicality and any local parking expectations directly with the school, especially in winter weather when rural roads can be affected.

• Small cohort swings. With a published admission number of 15, year-to-year admissions can look very different depending on a handful of families moving in or out. Use recent data as context, then verify the current position with Suffolk’s admissions process.

• Stretch for the fastest learners. The improvement point highlighted is ensuring staff move pupils on quickly when they are ready for more complex work. Families with very high-attaining children may want to ask how extension is handled day to day, especially in mixed-age groupings.

• Secondary transfer planning matters. Catchment guidance links the village to Bungay High School, but Suffolk notes catchment guidance can change and travel eligibility rules are separate from admissions. It is worth checking both early, particularly if you are balancing multiple secondary options.

This is a high-performing small primary that makes strong academic outcomes feel connected to real life. The mix of community responsibility, clear focus on oracy and early reading, and a structured Forest School programme gives pupils a broader set of skills than test preparation alone.

Best suited to families who want a village-scale school where children are known well, and where Key Stage 2 outcomes suggest pupils leave Year 6 exceptionally secure in the basics. The main watch-out is the reality of small-cohort variation, both in admissions competitiveness and in how stretch and support need to be balanced in mixed-age classes.