Cobholm Primary Academy, Great Yarmouth

Ofsted's report card from its 3 February 2026 inspection grades Cobholm Primary Academy on 7 areas: 6 strong standard and 1 expected standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Attendance and behaviour - Strong standard. "Leaders are rigorous in their approach to promoting high attendance."

Curriculum and teaching - Strong standard. "Leaders have a clear and accurate understanding of the curriculum and teaching."

Early years - Strong standard. "In the early years, children settle quickly each morning."

Inclusion - Strong standard. "Leaders have established systems that quickly identify pupils' needs and any barriers to learning."

Leadership and governance - Strong standard. "Leaders have a strong understanding of the school's context, strengths and priorities for improvement."

Personal development and wellbeing - Strong standard. "Leaders place a strong focus on broadening pupils' horizons and raising their aspirations."

Achievement - Expected standard. "Pupils typically progress securely as they move through the school."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should continue to focus on raising pupil outcomes by the end of key stage 2 so that they are closer to the national averages".

From the headteacher's welcome: "Welcome to our academy which provides the best possible education in a nurturing, happy environment. We support and develop children from Reception up to 11-year-olds who leave us confident and ready for high school. We have one goal - to give your child the highest standard of education."

In 2025, 64% of Year 6 pupils at Cobholm Primary Academy reached the expected standard in reading and 77% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 73% and 70% in Norfolk and 77% and 75% across England.

Results rose from 56% in reading and 56% in maths in 2024.

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

For September 2026 entry, 23 families put Cobholm Primary Academy as their first choice and 38 named it as one of their preferences, for 23 places offered. That is one first choice for every place. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state primary schools to Cobholm Primary Academy are Southtown Primary School (0.5 miles, Requires improvement, 64% reading, 54% maths); St Nicholas Priory CofE VA Primary School and Nursery (0.6 miles, Good, 64% reading, 78% maths); Edward Worlledge Ormiston Academy (0.7 miles, Good, 62% reading, 53% maths); and Northgate Primary School (0.9 miles, Good, 61% reading, 61% maths).

Cobholm Primary Academy's 2025 results were higher than 3 of these 4 schools.

Cobholm Primary Academy is one of 18 schools run by Inspiration Trust, an academy trust.

Across the trust's primary schools, 66% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths in 2024/25.

20 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Cobholm Primary Academy (as of April 2026): 70% would recommend the school, 65% say their child is happy there and 63% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that their child feels safe (75%); the weakest, that they are kept well informed about progress (50%).

45% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), and 28% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (61%), Mixed (8%) and Black (6%).

In 2026, 16 pupils (8.5%) received SEN support and 11 (5.8%) 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.

The nearest railway station is Great Yarmouth Rail Station, about 630 metres away (roughly a 8-minute walk).

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood Cobholm Primary Academy stands in is among the 10% most deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.

In August 2026, police recorded 576 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and criminal damage and arson. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Norfolk (28), as is usual near a town centre.

In 2024/25, Cobholm Primary Academy issued 2 suspensions, 1.1 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The secondary schools closest to Cobholm Primary Academy are Visiting Teacher Service East at Education Services Centre (0.9 miles), Great Yarmouth Charter Academy (1.2 miles) and Lynn Grove Academy (1.7 miles).