Best Schools in Downham Market

None of the 6 graded schools in Downham Market currently holds an Outstanding rating. 6 are rated Good, so 100% are Good or better. Ofsted stopped giving single-word overall grades in September 2024, so these are the grades from each school's last full inspection.

Source: Ofsted

Which primary schools in Downham Market have the best SATs results?

Of the 5 primary schools in Downham Market with 2025 Key Stage 2 results, the highest shares of pupils reaching the expected standard in reading and maths were at Downham Market, Hillcrest Primary School (83% in reading, 86% in maths); Denver Voluntary Controlled Primary School (76% in reading, 88% in maths); and Nelson Academy (70% in reading, 67% in maths). Small schools can swing a long way from one year to the next, because each pupil is a large share of the result.

Downham Market, Hillcrest Primary School Denver Voluntary Controlled Primary School Nelson Academy

Source: DfE school performance data

Are there grammar schools in Downham Market?

No. None of the state secondary schools in Downham Market selects pupils by ability, so every state secondary here is comprehensive.

Source: DfE Get Information About Schools

Do schools in Downham Market have catchment areas?

Most state schools in Downham Market have no fixed catchment boundary. When a school is oversubscribed, Norfolk allocates places on its published criteria - usually looked-after children first, then siblings, then home-to-school distance - so the practical cut-off moves each year. Each school's page here shows an estimate of its catchment radius.

How do I apply for a school place in Downham Market?

Apply to Norfolk through its coordinated admissions process, even for academies and faith schools. In England the closing date is 31 October for secondary places and 15 January for primary places, in the year before your child starts.