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Copleston High School
Secondary · Academy · Ipswich
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Worst School in the county
My child went to Copleston but became severely unwell. Ipswich hospital sent letters to the school to advise 'in school support' so she would still be able to attend. Copleston said they would not be able to provide the support advised by my child's pediatrician. They also do not address serious bullying issues, and several year 7 and 8 children have attempted suicide due to the severity of the bullying happening at this school. This is easily the worst school in East Anglia.
Lack of support and toxic culture
If I could start over, I would NOT have gone to Copleston Sixth Form. The lack of support emotionally and academically is appalling and discouraging. This Sixth Form is great if you are a keen sports player and love praising the school highly in articles/videos to gain publicity! If not then they make sure you are aware of how unsupported you really are!
Multiple compulsory university workshops during school times and the only event on apprenticeships was optional and in the evening. If you are not going to university and therefore not gaining them funding/making them look good - they are not interested! Absolute lack of support with applying to apprenticeships, unauthorised absences, and point blank not replying to emails. However, you will get constant follow-up emails reminding you of their concern that you are not going to university. So disheartening to be left on your own when it comes to that, and embarrassing when being asked in front of everyone in a derogatory tone why you are not going to university.
Many of the subject teachers are very knowledgeable on their subject and do truly care about their students, but it is a shame the same cannot be said for the non-teaching senior staff. Having clear favourites and complaining about other staff members and students openly. 2 years in such a toxic competitive environment had such a negative effect on many. Very limited support after the loss of one student, and a complete disregard for two more.
Public humiliation when a member of staff believes you are not following the dress code - shouldn't we be treating our young people with respect? Same as the in High School, where rewards are heavily influenced by teachers' opinions, rather than an actual effort from deserving students.
Complete lack of support for alumni, with both senior staff and individual teachers ignoring/not replying to multiple past students looking for references/advice with uni courses (as teachers had promised they would be there for us after leaving).
Furthermore, the allocation of spending is useless. Why are posters being redone once a year and classrooms being painted bleak and uninspiringly when there are more pressing issues that need addressing NOW! The food is just bad and overpriced. There is a huge problem of backhanded bullying, though done by the favourite students so not picked up on. Where is our mental health support? Or do we only get offered this valuable service when it is too late?
Multiple compulsory university workshops during school times and the only event on apprenticeships was optional and in the evening. If you are not going to university and therefore not gaining them funding/making them look good - they are not interested! Absolute lack of support with applying to apprenticeships, unauthorised absences, and point blank not replying to emails. However, you will get constant follow-up emails reminding you of their concern that you are not going to university. So disheartening to be left on your own when it comes to that, and embarrassing when being asked in front of everyone in a derogatory tone why you are not going to university.
Many of the subject teachers are very knowledgeable on their subject and do truly care about their students, but it is a shame the same cannot be said for the non-teaching senior staff. Having clear favourites and complaining about other staff members and students openly. 2 years in such a toxic competitive environment had such a negative effect on many. Very limited support after the loss of one student, and a complete disregard for two more.
Public humiliation when a member of staff believes you are not following the dress code - shouldn't we be treating our young people with respect? Same as the in High School, where rewards are heavily influenced by teachers' opinions, rather than an actual effort from deserving students.
Complete lack of support for alumni, with both senior staff and individual teachers ignoring/not replying to multiple past students looking for references/advice with uni courses (as teachers had promised they would be there for us after leaving).
Furthermore, the allocation of spending is useless. Why are posters being redone once a year and classrooms being painted bleak and uninspiringly when there are more pressing issues that need addressing NOW! The food is just bad and overpriced. There is a huge problem of backhanded bullying, though done by the favourite students so not picked up on. Where is our mental health support? Or do we only get offered this valuable service when it is too late?
My opinion
This school is so good for people who really struggle, its so easy to make friends and the food is BOMB!!! {Also known as the best UK school for sports!}
An average high-school, but a poorly facilitated Sixth-Form.
Though the school is, at times, a decent secondary school - I would strongly advise otherwise for anyone considering studying their A-Levels there.
Students are heavily policed in terms of their sixth-form dress code requirements in comparison to any other Ipswich sixth form or college which simply is not needed for students in their most stressful and activity-packed years of school. In terms of extracurricular opportunities, unless students are hoping to pursue sport, there are little to none.
For those hoping to apply to Russel group schools, the probability of acceptance has been slimmed in comparison to schools like Northgate or Suffolk One, statistically speaking.
Those wanting to study Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Medicine or an Oxbridge course require an extensive portfolio of extracurriculars which Copleston simply cannot provide, from my experience.
In summary, there are better schools in the area, and while it has proven an average high school, Copleston Sixth-Form is certainly not for those wanting to pursue an academically rigorous future.
Students are heavily policed in terms of their sixth-form dress code requirements in comparison to any other Ipswich sixth form or college which simply is not needed for students in their most stressful and activity-packed years of school. In terms of extracurricular opportunities, unless students are hoping to pursue sport, there are little to none.
For those hoping to apply to Russel group schools, the probability of acceptance has been slimmed in comparison to schools like Northgate or Suffolk One, statistically speaking.
Those wanting to study Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Medicine or an Oxbridge course require an extensive portfolio of extracurriculars which Copleston simply cannot provide, from my experience.
In summary, there are better schools in the area, and while it has proven an average high school, Copleston Sixth-Form is certainly not for those wanting to pursue an academically rigorous future.
Tolerates bullying
Tolerates bullying. Not recommended. First my child got bullied, told them that its going to happen again and it did. Parents beware. Do not bring your child to this school especially if you are not White.
Copleston High School from a student
The school overall has a difficult layout and trying to move from one place to another is even worse. There is three blocks and they are all distanced far apart. The grass that is not for the back feild is all fenced off. There is not enough toilets to care for all students and the toilets are only separated buy a set of sinks that are like troughs. There is "no covid restrictions" however they try to separate the year groups at break (10 minutes) and lunch (30 minutes) and leaving the grounds. There is 5 lessons in a day. Many teachers are also not very good at their jobs however there is some who are also a lot better than they are expected to be. The headmaster has put a rule forward to say that the toilets may only be used during break and lunch, not during lessons unless a student has a toilet pass (which you need a doctor's note for) and is getting rid of passes to take a break out of the room and to leave the classroom early. The support staff are all very sour and unless they are there for you specifically, most are quite rude.
The GCSE's begin in year 9 and the option choosing is during year 8. It may seem there is a lot of options to choose from however the likelyhood is that even if you (as a student) or your child has no interest whatsoever in taking a language for GCSE, they will have to. My personal experience landed me in a subject I did not choose and do not understand, and unable to change it. The uniform is atrotious and a nightmare to purchase. The trousers (and they must be trousers all year round) can only come from the school shop PMG or Coes. The shirts must have the school logo. The jumper must have the new logo. And the main problem with this is the price. It would cost near on £100 for one pair of trousers, one jumper and 2 shirts.
The rewards system is very reliant on the teacher regardless of behaviour. However one incorrect action (i.e.incomplete homework) and an instant detention for 30 minutes. Another issue i have with the school is over the course of the year, your child will be denied time off for illness if they have taken more than two weeks already. If a family emergancy occurs that is also counted into the two weeks. My personal experience of homophobic bullying was not handled in reality. I was told that the people involved were being punished severely however the day after i was told this, the bullying got worse. Although Copleston labells itself as a very diverse school that is open and does not tolerate discrimination, many of the teachers do take part in this (for example purposefully picking on the ethnic children and not letting them do cirtain activities like answering a question when they have their hand up. Or instantly giving them a glare for no reason trying to make them uncomfortable.)
All of the classrooms are required to only have 4 school printed posters and the walls must be an ominous dull grey. The food is poor quality and also overpriced.
Overall I think Copleston is quite a poorly run school and poorly treats its students.
The GCSE's begin in year 9 and the option choosing is during year 8. It may seem there is a lot of options to choose from however the likelyhood is that even if you (as a student) or your child has no interest whatsoever in taking a language for GCSE, they will have to. My personal experience landed me in a subject I did not choose and do not understand, and unable to change it. The uniform is atrotious and a nightmare to purchase. The trousers (and they must be trousers all year round) can only come from the school shop PMG or Coes. The shirts must have the school logo. The jumper must have the new logo. And the main problem with this is the price. It would cost near on £100 for one pair of trousers, one jumper and 2 shirts.
The rewards system is very reliant on the teacher regardless of behaviour. However one incorrect action (i.e.incomplete homework) and an instant detention for 30 minutes. Another issue i have with the school is over the course of the year, your child will be denied time off for illness if they have taken more than two weeks already. If a family emergancy occurs that is also counted into the two weeks. My personal experience of homophobic bullying was not handled in reality. I was told that the people involved were being punished severely however the day after i was told this, the bullying got worse. Although Copleston labells itself as a very diverse school that is open and does not tolerate discrimination, many of the teachers do take part in this (for example purposefully picking on the ethnic children and not letting them do cirtain activities like answering a question when they have their hand up. Or instantly giving them a glare for no reason trying to make them uncomfortable.)
All of the classrooms are required to only have 4 school printed posters and the walls must be an ominous dull grey. The food is poor quality and also overpriced.
Overall I think Copleston is quite a poorly run school and poorly treats its students.
Helpful
The school is great and help you through everything weather it is subject based or some trouble at home they will try and make you feel comfortable.
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