Attleborough Academy, Attleborough

Secondary
Academy converter
Mixed
Ages 1118

Data last updated 11 Sept 2026

Location

Very likely (~2.8km)Possible (~4.0km)Unlikely (~5.2km)Confidence: medium

Estimated admission likelihood based on school density and oversubscription data. Admissions policy: Non-selective

Key Information

DfE GIAS
Head:Mr Neil McShane
Pupils:976 / 945 capacity
LA:Norfolk
Phone:01953452335
Address:9 Norwich Road, Attleborough, NR17 2AJ
Trust:SAPIENTIA EDUCATION TRUST
Admissions:Non-selective
Status:open
Opened:1 January 2014

Ofsted Rating

Ofsted · 6 months ago

Report card - no overall grade (new Ofsted framework from Sep 2024)

Achievement
Strong Standard
Behaviour
Strong Standard
Personal Development
Strong Standard
Leadership
Expected Standard
Sixth Form
Expected Standard
Inspected 3 March 2026View full report
URN:140534
UKPRN:10044478
Diocese:Not applicable
Constituency:Mid Norfolk
Urban/Rural:Urban: Nearer to a major town or city

Ofsted Insights

What This School Does Well

Attleborough Academy excels at helping pupils with below-average starting points make strong progress through ambitious teaching and excellent support. The school has created a truly inclusive environment where all pupils feel valued, with a wealth of clubs, trips and activities that develop their talents and interests. Pupils are enthusiastic learners who benefit from knowing their teachers care about them and provide the right balance of challenge and support.

Key Strengths

  • High attendance and calm, respectful behaviour across the school with strong pupil leadership
  • Ambitious curriculum with excellent teaching that helps pupils progress from their starting points
  • Comprehensive inclusion practices that remove barriers and adapt learning for all pupils, including those with SEND
  • Extensive enrichment opportunities including clubs, trips and careers support that broaden pupils' experiences
  • Strong personal development programme teaching pupils about equality, democracy and healthy relationships

Areas for Improvement

  • Trustees need stronger oversight of safeguarding processes
  • Safeguarding records do not always accurately capture the chronology of events and rationale for decisions

Safeguarding

Safeguarding standards are met and effective; staff are vigilant in identifying concerns and pupils feel safe, though trustee oversight of safeguarding processes needs strengthening.

Extracurricular Activities

Football club, art club, music club, cooking club, curriculum enrichment week, student council, prefect roles, head student roles, Year 12 volunteering activities, sixth-form afternoon clubs

Attleborough Academy is a strong school that prioritises pupils' wellbeing and achievement. Leaders have created an inclusive culture where pupils from below-average starting points progress well and feel safe and valued.

At a Glance

21.0%

Free School Meals

No

Boarding

No

Nursery

Yes

Sixth Form

No

Special Measures

Class Sizes

22.3

Avg class size

39

Total classes

2 classes with more than 30 pupils

2024/25 academic year

Getting There

Train Stations

Attleborough Rail Station
615m · 10 min walk
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Capacity & Demand

School Occupancy

103%

Over capacity

976 pupils

945 capacity

31 places over capacity

Area Demand Pressure - Attleborough

High pressure
New homes approved:615
Projected new pupils:111

Based on MHCLG housing supply data for Attleborough

Admissions Demand - Norfolk

Low demand0.90x oversubscription

Places available

9,550

Applications

8,636

Got 1st preference

93.3%

Got preferred school

98.2%

Secondary admissions across Norfolk (2025/26)

Inspection History(4)

3 March 2026Report card
Achievement
Behaviour
Personal Development
Leadership
Sixth Form
7 December 2021
20 September 2016
Leadership & ManagementGood

House Prices

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SEN Provision

How many pupils have special educational needs, what types of support the school provides, and how it compares to similar schools.

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Pupil Demographics

The school's pupil mix - ethnicity breakdown, free school meals eligibility, and English as an additional language. Useful context when evaluating school fit.

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Teachers & Staff

Teacher qualification rates, pupil-to-teacher ratio, staff turnover, and salary data. Shows how well-resourced and stable the school's workforce is.

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School Funding

Annual funding per pupil, total budget, pupil premium grants, and how the school's resources compare to similar schools nationally.

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Pupil Absence
2024/25

7.67728%

Overall absence

23.6478%

Persistent absence

795

Enrolments

Authorised4.91122%
Unauthorised2.76606%
Persistent (10%+)23.6478%
Severe (50%+)3.52201%

Absence trend

4.64826%
18/19
4.20996%
20/21
9.25253%
21/22
8.20416%
22/23
8.5861%
23/24
7.67728%
24/25
Overall absence rate

Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.

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