Barford Primary School, Norwich

Ofsted's report card from its 2 June 2026 inspection grades Barford Primary School on 7 areas: 7 expected standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Achievement - Expected standard. "Pupils typically achieve well."

Attendance and behaviour - Expected standard. "Most pupils attend school regularly and in line with other schools nationally."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Leaders have an accurate understanding of the quality of teaching and the curriculum."

Early years - Expected standard. "Children in the early years make a secure start to school."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "Leaders prioritise high‑quality, inclusive teaching so that it reduces barriers to learning for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders and governors are ambitious for pupils and committed to the school."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "Leaders have implemented a suitable personal development programme."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders and teachers should further develop the teaching of writing so that it consistently meets the needs of pupils, including for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities and those with previous high attainment"; "Leaders should further refine the curriculum for foundation subjects so that pupils consistently develop deep subject knowledge across all subjects".

In 2025, 81% of Year 6 pupils at Barford Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 75% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 73% and 70% in Norfolk and 77% and 75% across England.

Results rose from 77% in reading and 69% in maths in 2024.

With small year groups, a few pupils can move these figures by several points.

For September 2026 entry, 4 families put Barford Primary School as their first choice and 15 named it as one of their preferences, for 5 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state primary schools to Barford Primary School are Barnham Broom Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School (1.8 miles, Requires improvement, 72% reading, 50% maths); St Peter's CofE Primary Academy, Easton (2.3 miles, Good, 86% reading, 79% maths); The Bawburgh School (2.8 miles, Good, 100% reading, 86% maths); and Little Melton Primary School (3 miles, Outstanding, 78% reading, 78% maths).

Barford Primary School's 2025 results were higher than 1 of these 4 schools.

11.5% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 6.9% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (85%) and Mixed (6%).

In 2026, 17 pupils (19.5%) received SEN support and 6 (6.9%) had an education, health and care plan, against 16.2% and 4.6% at the average state school. The most common need among them is speech, language and communication needs.

There is no railway, tram or Underground station within about three miles of Barford Primary School.

7 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Village Hall (opposite), 110 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 4 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and burglary. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Norfolk (28).

In 2024/25, Barford Primary School issued 8 suspensions, 8.2 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.