Norwich’s state schools: secondary results beat 53% of towns in England, primary results only 20%
Reading, writing and maths at the expected standard: 55% of primary pupils in Norwich, close to Norfolk’s towns (54%) and below towns in England (62%). 73 state-funded schools are located in Norwich’s built-up area. Norwich grades C for schools, on Department for Education Key Stage 2 and GCSE results: #24 of 51 in Norfolk. Ofsted is shown, not graded.
Norwich’s secondary results beat 53% of English towns; its primary results beat 20%. 55% of the city’s 11-year-olds meet the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, against 62% at the average school in England and 53% across Norfolk. The spread between primaries is wide: 78% at Charles Darwin Primary School, 36% at Lakenham Primary School. Every school’s result ↓
Charles Darwin beats its intake
Schools with more pupils on free school meals usually get lower results. At Charles Darwin Primary School, 22% of pupils are on free school meals and 78% meet the expected standard; a typical school in England with that intake reaches 63%. Results and intake ↓
Written from the Department for Education and Ofsted data on this page.
School Grade
Norwich grades C for schools
Against every town in England with results; Wales publishes none.
Primary: reading, writing and maths at 11 (55% meet the standard)Better than 20% of towns in England
Secondary: Attainment 8 and grade 5+ English and maths (45.8 and 46%)Better than 53% of towns in England
The secondary figure lifts Norwich; the primary figure holds it back.
Each of Norwich’s 33 primaries: % meeting the expected standard in reading, writing and maths (2023–25)
Each of Norwich’s 11 secondaries: Attainment 8 (2025/26)
England’s average schoolNorfolk’s average school
The primary figure: 35 primaries in the town, 6,199 pupils in results over three years. The secondary figure: 11 secondaries in the town, 2,050 pupils in results. Mainstream state schools only (grammar schools included); special schools, alternative provision, nurseries and 16–19 colleges are listed below but not graded. Each school’s results are compared with every school in England, then weighted by its pupils.
Map
Where Norwich’s 73 state schools are
Each school at its address, coloured by its own letter and sized by pupils. Open a school for its own page. The dashed shape is Norwich’s built-up area.
PrimarySecondarySpecial, nursery, 16–19Size: pupilsABCDNo letter
Most schools give places by distance once siblings are in, so the schools nearest a home matter more than any league table.
Results and intake
Which schools do better than their intake suggests
Schools with more pupils on free school meals tend to get lower results. The dashed line is the typical school in England for each level of free school meals; the band holds the middle two-thirds. A dot above the band is doing better than schools like it.
Primaries: KS2 reading, writing and maths against free school meals
Secondaries: Attainment 8 against free school meals
The share of pupils on free school meals runs from 5% at Arden Grove Infant and Nursery School to 57% at City Academy Norwich. Against schools with the same intake, Charles Darwin Primary School does best: 78% with 22% on free school meals, where a typical school would reach 63%. 8 of 33 primaries and 3 of 11 secondaries are above the line.
Free school meals: pupils eligible now, DfE January 2026 census. The typical-school line is a straight-line fit across every graded school in England. It describes; it doesn’t grade: the School Grade uses results alone.
Getting a place
How school places work in Norwich
Norfolk County Council handles applications for every state school in Norwich, academies included. You apply to the council where you live, even for a school in another area.
Secondary (starting at 11)Apply by 31 October of Year 6. Offers on 1 March.
Primary (starting in Reception)Apply by 15 January before the September your child starts. Offers on 16 April.
Moving mid-yearApply to the council for an in-year place; it tells you which schools have room.
When a school is full
Every school publishes its admissions rules. Children in care come first, then, at most schools, brothers and sisters of current pupils, then those who live nearest. 6 of Norwich’s 64 mainstream schools have a religious character; some of them give priority by church attendance, so check each school’s rules. Infant classes are limited to 30 by law. If you’re refused a place, you can appeal to an independent panel.
Pupils on roll as a share of the school’s official capacity. The black tick is 100%; 8 schools are at or over it.
Ormiston Victory121%
Notre Dame High School, Norwich117%
Clover Hill VA Infant incl. nursery117%
Hellesdon High114%
Charles Darwin incl. nursery111%
Sparhawk Infant incl. nursery104%
Sewell Park103%
St Francis of Assisi101%
Lakenham incl. nursery100%
West Earlham Junior100%
Show all 64 schools
Recreation Road Infant99%
Mile Cross incl. nursery99%
Jane Austen College99%
White Woman Lane Junior98%
West Earlham Infant incl. nursery98%
Mousehold Infant incl. nursery97%
Avenue Junior97%
St William's incl. nursery97%
Thorpe St Andrew School and Sixth Form97%
Sprowston Community96%
Cecil Gowing Infant incl. nursery96%
City of Norwich School, An Ormiston96%
Bluebell incl. nursery96%
Bignold incl. nursery95%
Firside Junior95%
St Michael's VA Junior94%
Magdalen Gates92%
The Free School Norwich92%
Eaton91%
Heartsease incl. nursery91%
Costessey incl. nursery89%
Chapel Break Infant88%
Colman Junior87%
Falcon Junior87%
Dussindale86%
Arden Grove Infant incl. nursery86%
Kinsale Junior84%
White House Farm83%
Edith Cavell incl. nursery82%
Lionwood Infant incl. nursery81%
Hillside Avenue, Thorpe incl. nursery80%
Old Catton78%
Nelson Infant incl. nursery76%
Catton Grove incl. nursery74%
Sprowston Junior73%
Valley73%
Hewett72%
St. Clements Hill71%
The Open71%
Henderson Green70%
Norwich70%
George White Junior67%
Lionwood Junior66%
Lodge Lane Infant65%
Garrick Green Infant64%
Wensum Junior64%
City Academy Norwich61%
Kinsale Infant61%
Tuckswood61%
Heather Avenue Infant59%
Angel Road Infant incl. nursery57%
Colman Infant56%
Sprowston Infant54%
Angel Road Junior53%
DfE register of schools (GIAS), January 2026 census. Capacity often excludes a nursery class, so a school with a nursery can show over 100%.
The schools
73 state schools in Norwich
Each school’s own letter compares its results with every state school in England of the same phase: Key Stage 2 for primaries, GCSEs for secondaries. Open a school for its results, how its letter is worked out, Ofsted and a map.
Letters of Norwich’s schoolsA4B10C20D1227 without a letter
Key result: Attainment 8 and grade 5+ English and maths (GCSEs, 2025/26 provisional) for secondaries; the share meeting the expected standard in reading, writing and maths (KS2, DfE’s three-year average) for primaries. Pupils: the January 2026 school census. No letter: an infant or first school (no KS2 tests), a new school, a small cohort DfE suppresses, or a special school, nursery or college. Independent schools aren’t included.
Ofsted
Ofsted report cards
Each school’s latest inspection; report cards replace one-word judgements as schools are re-inspected.
Outstanding 3Good 17Report card 7Requires improvement 4Ungraded inspection only 41No published grade 1
Ofsted stopped giving one-word judgements in 2024. Until a school is re-inspected, its last overall judgement is its most recent single grade; a school judged years ago may have changed a lot since.
Since November 2025 Ofsted gives each area of a school one of five grades (exceptional, strong standard, expected standard, needs attention, urgent improvement) and says whether safeguarding is met, instead of one overall word. 7 of Norwich’s 73 state schools have a report card so far; the others show their last inspection under the old framework. Ofsted is never part of the School Grade.
Academies are state schools run by a trust rather than the council: the trust employs the staff and can set its own curriculum and term dates. Admissions still go through the council.
Run by
Schools
Pupils
Their letters
Broad Horizons Education TrustThorpe St Andrew School and Sixth Form, Sprowston Community, Sewell Park, Hillside Avenue, Thorpe, Dussindale, St. Clements Hill, Edith Cavell, Bluebell, Tuckswood, Eaton Hall Specialist
10
6,003
BBDCC−DC−C−D
Wensum TrustHellesdon High, Firside Junior, Kinsale Junior, Lodge Lane Infant, Arden Grove Infant, Garrick Green Infant, Kinsale Infant, Heather Avenue Infant
8
2,693
CB+B−
Evolution Academy TrustCostessey, Bignold, Eaton, Angel Road Junior, Angel Road Infant, Wensum Junior, Nelson Infant
7
1,977
CDBC+D
Inspiration TrustJane Austen College, Sir Isaac Newton Sixth Form Free, Hewett, Charles Darwin, Norwich
5
3,023
A−BAC
Unity Schools PartnershipHeartsease, Colman Junior, Valley, Henderson Green, Colman Infant
5
1,008
DDBD
Clarion Corvus TrustLionwood Junior, Mousehold Infant, George White Junior, Lionwood Infant
4
893
C−C−
Trust Norfolk-SENThe Clare, Harford Manor School, Norwich, Hall
3
338
—
Ormiston Academies TrustCity of Norwich School, An Ormiston, Ormiston Victory
2
3,202
B+C
St John the Baptist Catholic Multi Academy TrustNotre Dame High School, Norwich, St Francis of Assisi
2
2,037
AA−
Sapientia Education TrustCity Academy Norwich, White House Farm
2
1,023
D
Diocese of Norwich Education and Academies TrustThe Open
1
529
D−
Community Schools TrustUniversity Technical College Norfolk
1
451
—
Norwich Co-Operative Learning TrustLakenham
1
419
D−
Free School NorwichThe Free School Norwich
1
180
C−
Wherry School TrustThe Wherry
1
134
—
Norfolk County CouncilCatton Grove, Avenue Junior, Mile Cross, St Michael's VA Junior, Falcon Junior, St William's, White Woman Lane Junior, Recreation Road Infant, West Earlham Infant, West Earlham Junior, Clover Hill VA Infant, The Parkside School, Norwich, Magdalen Gates, Sparhawk Infant, Old Catton, Sprowston Junior, Cecil Gowing Infant, Chapel Break Infant, Sprowston Infant, Earlham Nursery
20
5,691
CC+CB−C−C−BDC−CC−
After 16
Where Norwich’s teenagers go at 16
In England young people stay in education or training until 18: a sixth form, a college, or an apprenticeship.
8 of Norwich’s 11 state secondaries have sixth forms: City Academy Norwich, City of Norwich School, An Ormiston, Hellesdon High, Jane Austen College, Notre Dame High School, Norwich, Ormiston Victory, Sprowston Community and Thorpe St Andrew School and Sixth Form. Sir Isaac Newton Sixth Form Free School is a state 16–19 school in the city. Norwich City College of Further and Higher Education, a further-education college, is in the city.
Secondaries with a sixth form
8 of 11
state schools in Norwich
Colleges within 12 miles
1
nearest: Norwich City College of Further and Higher Education
Grammar schools in Norfolk
0
no selective state secondaries
Special needs
Special schools and alternative provision in Norwich
Norwich has 6 special schools (Eaton Hall Specialist, Hall, Harford Manor School, Norwich, The Clare, The Parkside School, Norwich and The Wherry: 724 pupils). A special-school place isn’t applied for like a mainstream one: for a child with an education, health and care plan (EHCP), Norfolk County Council names the school in the plan, after asking the family’s preference. These schools have no letter, because their results don’t compare with mainstream schools’. Their cards ↑
Norfolk County Council’s SEND Local Offer lists support beyond these schools.
Towns its size
37th of 44 English towns and cities of 141,000 to 271,000
Ranked by School Grade, best first: the towns and cities either side of Norwich, and the top and bottom of the group.
Cringleford has the best-graded schools nearby (B−). Small places often use the schools within 3 km, so neighbours can share schools.
How to read these numbers
What this data can and can’t tell you
•
Expected standard at Key Stage 2. The share of 11-year-olds who reach the expected standard in reading, writing and maths together, in tests and teacher assessment at the end of primary school. We use DfE’s three-year average (2023–2025) to steady small schools.
•
Higher standard. The share working at greater depth in all three. In Norwich: 5% (England’s average school: 8%).
•
Attainment 8. A pupil’s GCSE grades across eight subjects, with English and maths counted twice, added up. 50 is roughly a grade 5 in every subject.
•
Grade 5+ in English and maths. A strong pass in both. Grade 4 is a standard pass.
•
Provisional. 2025/26 GCSE figures are DfE’s first release; revised figures follow in February, usually within a point.
•
Progress 8. Not shown: there is none for 2025/26, because these pupils sat no KS2 tests in 2020 (Covid).
•
Free school meals. Pupils eligible for free school meals now, from the January census: the usual measure of how many pupils come from low-income homes.
•
Independent schools. Not included: they publish no results comparable with state schools’.
Questions about schools in Norwich
Are schools in Norwich good?
Norwich’s state schools earn a C against schools across England: primary results beat 20% of towns in England; secondary results beat 53% of towns in England, on Department for Education Key Stage 2 and GCSE results. School places are handled by Norfolk council.
What is the best secondary school in Norwich?
On 2025/26 GCSE results, Notre Dame High School, Norwich: Attainment 8 of 57 and 64% with grade 5+ in English and maths, against 47.3 at the average school in England. Results are one measure; distance decides most places.
What is the best primary school in Norwich?
On Key Stage 2 results over 2023–25, Charles Darwin Primary School: 78% of pupils meet the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, against 62% at the average school in England.
Do Norwich secondary schools have sixth forms?
8 of 11 do.
How do I apply for a school place in Norwich?
Through Norfolk County Council, for every state school including academies. Secondary applications close on 31 October (offers 1 March); primary on 15 January (offers 16 April).
How many schools in Norwich are full?
8 of 64 mainstream schools have at least as many pupils as places, on DfE’s January 2026 census. A full school still admits by its rules, usually distance after siblings.
How many state schools are in Norwich?
73 open state-funded schools are located in Norwich’s built-up area: 53 primary, 11 secondary and 9 other (special schools, alternative provision, nurseries and 16–19). Independent schools aren’t included.
Sources: DfE Get Information about Schools (16 October 2026), Key Stage 2 performance tables (2023–2025, three-year average) and Key Stage 4 (2025/26, provisional); Ofsted state-funded school inspections as at 30 September 2026 · DfE Get Information about Schools (16 October 2026), further-education and sixth-form colleges · TownRatings grades: our own summary of the data, ranked against UK towns only. All under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
