The Thetford Academy

A good academy sponsor led school in Norfolk. Explore Ofsted ratings, admissions information, and performance data for The Thetford Academy.

Thetford, IP241LH Ofsted: Good Age 11-19 Mixed intake
Back to School Search

Performance Score

Overall school rating

56

/ 100

Secondary with Sixth Form weighted harmonic mean of 5 indicators

Indicators used for Secondary with Sixth Form schools

Progress 8 score
55.2
/ 100 normalized
Weight: 20.0%
Raw: 0.04
English & Maths grade 4+ %
50.3
/ 100 normalized
Weight: 20.0%
Raw: 52.6%
Continue in education or training
56.2
/ 100 normalized
Weight: 20.0%
Raw: 62.0%
Sustained employment
51.2
/ 100 normalized
Weight: 20.0%
Raw: 24.0%
Ofsted inspection outcome
75.0
/ 100 normalized
Weight: 20.0%
Raw: Good

How we weight each phase

Tap to toggle

Primary schools

  • KS2 pupils meeting expected standard 40.0%
  • KS2 pupils exceeding expected standard 30.0%
  • Ofsted inspection outcome 30.0%

Secondary schools

  • Progress 8 score 40.0%
  • English & Maths grade 4+ % 30.0%
  • Ofsted inspection outcome 30.0%

All-through schools

  • Progress 8 score 25.0%
  • English & Maths grade 4+ % 20.0%
  • KS2 pupils meeting expected standard 20.0%
  • KS2 pupils exceeding expected standard 15.0%
  • Ofsted inspection outcome 20.0%

Secondary with Sixth Form schools

  • Progress 8 score 20.0%
  • English & Maths grade 4+ % 20.0%
  • Continue in education or training 20.0%
  • Sustained employment 20.0%
  • Ofsted inspection outcome 20.0%

Sixth Form Only schools

  • Continue in education or training 40.0%
  • Sustained employment 30.0%
  • Ofsted inspection outcome 30.0%

Special schools

  • Ofsted inspection outcome 100.0%

Alternative Provision schools

  • Ofsted inspection outcome 100.0%

Independent schools

  • Ofsted inspection outcome 100.0%

Ofsted Inspection

Official inspection outcomes

Good
Overall effectiveness
Good
Last inspected
4 March 2020
Previous grade
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour & attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership & management
Good
Safeguarding
Effective

Source: Ofsted inspection outcomes. Grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires Improvement, Inadequate.

Contact Information

How to reach this school

Source: GIAS
Address
Croxton Road
Thetford, IP241LH

Location

Find the school on the map

Source: Geocoding

School Information

Basic details and characteristics

Source: GIAS
URN
136204
Type
Academy sponsor led
Phase
Secondary with Sixth Form
Address
Croxton Road, Thetford, IP24 1LH
Age range
11-19
Gender
Mixed
Religious character
Does not apply
School status
Open
Trust/MAT
INSPIRATION TRUST
Capacity
2,050 pupils
Setting
Urban: Further from a major town or city
Sixth Form
Yes
Nursery
No

School Performance Data

Official government statistics

Source: DfE

School Demographics

Total Pupils
1,305
Free School Meals
30.3% (395 pupils)
Special Educational Needs
4.4% (57 pupils)

Daily Attendance

Attendance Rate
89.8%
Needs improvement
Persistent Absence
30.9%
Missing 10%+ of school days

Real Success Rates

What happens to students after they leave this school

Continue Education
62.0%
University, college, or sixth form
Enter Employment
24.0%
Full or part-time jobs
Start Apprenticeships
3.0%
Learning while earning
Not in Education or Work
9.0%
NEET - needs support

Sixth Form University Progression

Where sixth form students go after graduation

University Progression
62%
Quality: Good
Sixth Form Size
34 students
Per cohort
Apprenticeships
3.0%

Calculated Fields

Derived insights and analysis

Source: Calculated

Class Size Information

Average Class Size
72 pupils
Large Classes
Pupils per Year Group
145
Average across all year groups
Total School Size
1,305 pupils
11-19

Subjects This School Excels At

Subjects where students perform significantly above national average

Physics (GCE A level)
(7 students)

Strong performance in 1 subject

From the School Website

Information extracted from the school's own website

Source: School Website

Ethos & Values

democracy individual liberty rule of law mutual respect and tolerance equality of opportunity

Head Teacher's Message

Thetford Academy is a school at the academic and cultural heart of our community. We teach our pupils a curriculum that provides them with a thorough understanding of the world in which we live, an appreciation of what is amazing and beautiful, and preparation for the challenges we face. We also welcome our pupils into a range of cultural pursuits in sports, crafts and the creative arts. We achieve all of this by teaching our pupils to develop a set of values and habits that allow them to contribute to our community in Thetford, and beyond. This means that we teach our pupils to be polite, considerate, hardworking and disciplined.

SEND Provision

Thetford Academy hosts a KS3–KS4 Autism Specialist Resource Base (SRB). The base is staffed by a Lead SRB Teacher, an SRB Teacher, three higher-level teaching assistants (HLTAs) and four teaching assistants (TAs). We have provision for 25 placements. We provide placements to pupils from across Norfolk who are experiencing difficulties accessing mainstream education due to their communication and interaction needs. SRB pupils are supported through flexible timetabling and curriculum adaptation, tailored to individual needs to enable them to attend up to 100% of mainstream lessons. The SRB gives the students the opportunity to develop independent learning skills. The offer is designed to enable individuals to manage their barriers and access a mainstream curriculum. Staff are also trained and available to provide social and emotional support as needed. Not just a designated teaching space, the SRB is also a place of sanctuary during unstructured times and pupils can access it at any other time that additional support is necessary. A young person does not need an EHCP or a diagnosis of Autism to access the provision, but evidence of communication and interaction needs would indicate that the SRB may be suitable. If you are a parent or carer interested in SRB provision for your child, please speak to the SENDCo at your current school.

Admissions Criteria

Year 7 admissions for September 2026: Applications open 11 September 2025 and close 31 October 2025. The Local Authority will offer a school place on 2 March 2026 (National Offer Day). Waiting lists are maintained for oversubscribed schools until 31 December 2026. Late applications can be made by using the Local Authority general enquiry form. For In-Year Admissions: Applications can be made at any time directly to the Inspiration Trust (admission authority). If more applications than places are received, oversubscription criteria apply. If a child has an Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plan, you should not use an ‘in-year transfer’ application. In-Year Transfer Appeals are held online via Independent Appeal Panel. See Admission Policy 2026 and the Admissions Policy 2026 for further details. The timetable for appeals is outlined in the In-Year Admissions section. Contact [email protected] for appeal clerking.

Other Secondary with Sixth Form Schools in Norfolk

Compare with nearby schools