Wilby Church of England Primary School Review 2026: High-Performing Village Primary with Nursery, Faith-Led Ethos

Wilby’s published outcomes point to performance that is well above typical levels in England for Key Stage 2.

In 2024, 86% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics combined, compared to an England average of 62%. At the higher standard, 38% met the higher threshold in reading, writing and mathematics, compared to an England average of 8%. Reading and grammar, punctuation and spelling were both strong on scaled scores, at 110, with mathematics at 109.

The school is ranked 643rd in England for primary outcomes (FindMySchool ranking based on official data), and 1st in the Mid Suffolk local area in the same ranking set. This places it well above the England average (top 10%), and in practice closer to the top 5% of primaries nationally by rank position.

For parents, the implication is straightforward: pupils are leaving Year 6 with secure foundations, and a high proportion are reaching above the expected level. That tends to show up in confidence with reading comprehension, accuracy in writing basics, and fluency in core maths methods, all of which ease the transition into a larger secondary setting.

Small schools often have a choice to make: keep teaching broad but shallow, or tighten the curriculum so that core learning is mastered and then extended through enrichment. The evidence available points towards the latter. The headteacher’s public message highlights ambitious learning and a rich wider curriculum, with explicit emphasis on music, arts and sport as part of everyday school life rather than occasional extras.

The Anglican inspection report from October 2025 reinforces that picture by linking curriculum intent to inclusion. It describes high expectations alongside relevant support, with planning that prioritises meeting needs, including for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities. It also points to an inclusive extracurricular offer, described as available free of charge, which can be a meaningful advantage for families managing costs.

Early years is a key part of the story here, because nursery provision sits within the same community and the same ethos. The school offers education from age three, and the set-up combines pre-school with Reception in the early years structure. The practical implication is continuity for many families, but it is still important to remember that a nursery place does not automatically become a Reception place, as Suffolk’s coordinated admissions process still applies.

For a primary school, the quality of transition matters as much as raw Key Stage 2 data. Wilby’s own history information sets out the most common progression route: most pupils continue to Stradbroke High School at age 11, with post-16 options typically including Thomas Mills High School, Framlingham, or Hartismere High School in Eye.

In practice, the school’s high Key Stage 2 outcomes suggest pupils are leaving with the academic security to settle quickly in secondary. For parents, the key question becomes fit: whether your child will thrive in the likely secondary destination, and how you want their journey to look at age 16. This is where it helps to shortlist secondaries early and use a comparison view to see the likely next step alongside alternatives.

Wilby is a state school, so there are no tuition fees for attending the main school.

Demand data shows oversubscription on the primary entry route in the most recent admissions snapshot provided: 19 applications for 11 offers, which equates to about 1.73 applications for each place offered. For parents, the implication is that admission can be competitive, even for a small village primary.

For Reception entry (the normal year of entry), applications run through Suffolk’s coordinated admissions process. Suffolk’s published timetable for September 2026 entry sets the closing date as 15 January 2026, with national offer day on 16 April 2026.

For in-year admissions (moving during the school year), the school directs families to contact the school and arrange a visit before applying, and it notes separate processes for pre-school admissions alongside the main school application route.

A practical tip: if you are relocating or balancing multiple schools, it is worth using a precise distance tool such as FindMySchoolMap Search to understand your realistic options and how your address sits relative to your shortlist, because competition patterns can shift year to year.

The school’s published vision places inclusion at the centre, and that theme is repeated across governance and inspection documents. The Anglican inspection report from October 2025 describes a supportive culture with positive relationships between pupils, adults and families, and it highlights deliberate attention to mental and emotional wellbeing within the community.

For parents, the useful take-away is that wellbeing is framed as part of a whole-school approach rather than a bolt-on. In a small setting, that can mean quicker identification of worries and a more joined-up response, but it also means consistency of routines matters. Families who value predictable boundaries, clear expectations and a faith-informed values base often find this type of culture reassuring.

Wilby’s “beyond lessons” offer is most distinctive where it uses its size and its site well.

Example

Outdoor learning is more than an occasional treat here.

Evidence

The school describes an environmental studies area with a pond, plus a small fruit orchard and allotment, and an outdoor classroom that is used in warmer months.

Implication

For pupils who learn best through practical exploration, this supports science, geography and personal development work in a way that feels real rather than abstract.

Example

Clubs are presented as a structured part of school life.

Evidence

The school lists named clubs including Wilby Gymnastics Club, Art Club, Science Club, Dance Fit Club, and Multi-Sports Club.

Implication

This creates accessible pathways for pupils to try a new area, build competence, and develop friendships beyond their immediate class group, which can be particularly valuable in small cohorts.

The grounds development story also shows a pattern of community investment. The history page references a trim trail funded by the Friends association and improvements to outdoor equipment following a grant, which signals an active relationship between families and the school’s physical environment.

The school publishes a clear daily timetable. Pupils can enter from 08:40, with registration at 08:45 and the teaching day running through to 15:15. Breakfast club is listed as 07:50 to 08:45, and after-school clubs are listed as running to 16:15.

Wraparound care is set out with stated charges. The wraparound page lists £3.50 per hour for breakfast and after-school care for Reception to Year 6, and it includes specific session timings for breakfast club and after-school arrangements.

Travel-wise, this is a village school serving Wilby and nearby communities, and the school notes that families also travel in from neighbouring villages. Expect most journeys to be by car, with walking and cycling dependent on your exact route and road conditions.

• Competition for places. Recent demand data shows more applications than offers on the primary entry route, so it is sensible to approach admissions with a realistic shortlist and a back-up option.

• Faith character is meaningful. The school’s Church of England identity is explicit in its published vision and external church inspection, and it will suit families comfortable with that grounding in daily life and language.

• Small-school dynamics. A small roll can be brilliant for belonging and adult attention; it can be harder for children who want a very large peer group or who prefer anonymity.

• Early years continuity, but not automatic progression. Nursery provision supports continuity, but Reception entry still follows Suffolk’s coordinated process, and attending the nursery does not guarantee a Reception place.

Wilby Church of England Primary School reads as a high-performing, community-rooted primary with nursery provision and a clear faith-led values base. The data points to outcomes that compare strongly across England, and the school’s own materials emphasise inclusion and a broad curriculum that uses its outdoor space well.

Who it suits: families who want a small, values-driven village primary with nursery provision, strong Key Stage 2 outcomes, and structured wraparound care. The main challenge is admission competitiveness relative to the school’s size, so early planning and a sensible shortlist matter.