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91.9% of Suffolk pupils secure first-choice secondary school

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Suffolk County Council has offered more than 9 in 10 pupils their first-preference secondary school for September 2025.

Why it matters: Nearly all families (97.5%) received offers for one of their three preferred schools, though approximately 195 children in the county did not get a place at any of their chosen schools.

Suffolk County Council sign on a building

By the numbers:

  • 7,831 secondary school applications were processed

  • 91.9% of pupils received their first preference

  • 97.5% received one of their three preferences

  • 2.5% (approximately 195 pupils) did not receive any of their preferred choices

What they're saying: "It is really positive that once again the majority of families have been offered a place at one of their preferred secondary schools," said Councillor Andrew Reid, Suffolk County Council's Cabinet Member for SEND and Education.

For parents who missed out: If a preference for a Suffolk school was refused, children will automatically be added to the waiting list for that school. Parents can also lodge an appeal.

What's next: Parents who received school place confirmations now need to consider transport arrangements. Those eligible for Suffolk County Council funded school travel will receive an email by Thursday 3 April 2025 with details of how to opt-in.

The bottom line: While most Suffolk families received good news on National Offer Day, a small percentage will need to navigate the waiting list or appeals process if they're unhappy with their allocation.

Ed Sheeran surprised more than 200 Ipswich students with an impromptu performance at The Baths

Browse upcoming gigs

Check out upcoming BTC events across their three brilliant venues

St Stephens Church, The Baths and The Smokehouse in Ipswich

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Martlesham pub makes history with record-breaking pint pour

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The Douglas Bader has etched its name in the history books after participating in the largest simultaneous pint pour ever recorded.

Why it matters: The Martlesham Heath pub was one of 114 venues nationwide to set a new Guinness World Records title, showcasing the growing demand for both traditional and alcohol-free draught beer options.

The Douglas Bader in Martlesham, Ipswich
The Douglas Bader in Martlesham, IpswichOliver Rouane-WilliamsIpswich.co.uk

How it happened: The nationwide "The Big Pour" event took place on 7 April, with publicans connecting via video call to pour pints of Heineken and Heineken 0.0 in perfect synchronisation.

  • Participants had just 10 seconds to complete their pours under the watchful eye of an official Guinness World Records adjudicator

  • The Douglas Bader was among pubs from across the UK, ranging from Scotland to Surrey, that took part in the record attempt

The bigger picture: The event celebrated Heineken installing its 1,000th alcohol-free draught tap in UK pubs.

  • This milestone makes Heineken 0.0 the most widely available alcohol-free beer on draught in the country

  • The company says it now has more alcohol-free draught installations than any other brand

What they're saying: Lawson Mountstevens, Managing Director Star Pub at Heineken UK, said: "Part of the ritual of going to the pub is watching your pint being freshly poured from the tap – the tilt of the glass, the smooth cascade, and mouthwatering anticipation of the first sip."

  • "This draught experience is central to pub culture, and for non-alcoholic beer to become truly mainstream, it needs to be part of that experience"

  • "It needs to be poured from the tap like any other pint, not just another option in the fridge"

The bottom line: The Douglas Bader's participation in this record-breaking event highlights Ipswich's place in brewing history while reflecting changing consumer preferences in the pub industry.

Ed Sheeran surprised more than 200 Ipswich students with an impromptu performance at The Baths

Browse upcoming gigs

Check out upcoming BTC events across their three brilliant venues

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