Fairhaven Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School, Norwich
Fairhaven Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School is a primary school for pupils aged 4 to 11 in Norwich. It has a Church of England religious character. It was rated Good at its last graded Ofsted inspection, in June 2015. Ofsted's ungraded inspection in December 2024 did not change this grade. Its 2025 Key Stage 2 results were the 26th-highest of the 102 schools in Norwich with published results, and 5,775th of 14,452 across England. It was 94% full in 2025.
- SATs results
- In line with England
- Ofsted
- Good (2015)
- Demand
- Every first choice offered
- Attendance
- Better than England average
Reception applications for September 2027 close in 81 days
Deadline Friday 15 January 2027. Apply to Norfolk (the council where you live). Offers on 16 April.
Data last updated 26 Oct 2026
Fairhaven Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School in detail
Fairhaven Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School in its own words
In its own words: "Our Christian school community strives to provide a variety of learning experiences for all our young people. We are here to nurture the gifts God gives us and to celebrate our differences. We encourage our pupils to explore their interests, find their talents, flourish and live life to the full."
The school runs a breakfast club from 7:45am and after-school care until 4:30pm, from £4.50 per session.
Vision and values (school website)Wraparound care (school website)
Source: The school's own website
Results
In 2025, 93% of Year 6 pupils at Fairhaven Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 67% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 73% and 70% in Norfolk and 77% and 75% across England.
Results rose from 65% in reading and 59% in maths in 2024.
With small year groups, a few pupils can move these figures by several points.
Getting a place at Fairhaven Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School
For September 2026 entry, 12 families put Fairhaven Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School as their first choice and 26 named it as one of their preferences, for 12 places offered. That is one first choice for every place. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.
Admissions history and your chances at Fairhaven Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other state primary schools to Fairhaven Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School are Horning Community Primary School (2.5 miles, Good, 67% reading, 50% maths); Acle Church of England Primary Academy (2.6 miles, 57% reading, 43% maths); Hemblington Primary School (2.9 miles, Good, 67% reading, 53% maths); and Blofield Primary School (3 miles, Good, 79% reading, 76% maths).
Fairhaven Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School's 2025 results were higher than all 3 of them.
Horning Community Primary SchoolAcle Church of England Primary AcademyHemblington Primary SchoolBlofield Primary School
What parents say
51 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Fairhaven Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School (as of September 2025): 90% would recommend the school, 86% say their child is happy there and 56% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.
The strongest agreement was that their child feels safe (92%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (56%).
Who goes there
10.7% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 2.9% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.
In 2026, 14 pupils (13.6%) received SEN support and 2 (1.9%) 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 a specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia.
Staffing
Fairhaven Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School had 8 teachers in 2026, one for every 12 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical primary school, at about one for every 20.
Getting there
The nearest railway station is Acle Rail Station, about 2.7 miles away in a straight line.
2 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Broad Lane (adjacent), 210 metres away.
The area around the school
In August 2026, police recorded 2 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Norfolk (28).
Suspensions and exclusions
Fairhaven Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School recorded no suspensions or permanent exclusions in 2024/25.
Sources: DfE school performance data (averages: state mainstream schools); DfE school-level applications and offers; council admissions booklets; DfE appeals statistics; Ofsted Parent View; DfE school census and special educational needs statistics; DfE school workforce census; NaPTAN (Department for Transport); English Indices of Deprivation 2025 (MHCLG); data.police.uk street-level crime; DfE exclusions statistics
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 2 years agoThis judgement is from June 2015, 11 years ago, longer than Ofsted's usual 4-year cycle: the school may have changed since.
Overall
Quality of Education
Behaviour & Attitudes
Personal Development
Leadership & Management
Early Years
Ofsted Insights
From Ofsted's December 2024 inspection report.
What This School Does Well
This school truly celebrates each child's unique qualities, making pupils feel valued and appreciated. The curriculum is ambitious and well-designed, with pupils making meaningful connections between topics. The school provides excellent opportunities for pupils to develop leadership skills through sports, clubs and community involvement, with nearly a third learning musical instruments.
Key Strengths
- Strong phonics and reading programme with well-resourced library and trained staff
- Excellent support for pupils with special educational needs ensuring full inclusion
- Effective early years provision that prepares children well for Year 1
- Wide range of sports, clubs and enrichment activities including music lessons for nearly a third of pupils
- Strong school culture focused on behaviour, well-being and emotional regulation
Areas for Improvement
- Need to agree consistent approaches to delivering curriculum in some subjects so all pupils use familiar methods and maintain focus
Safeguarding
Safeguarding arrangements are effective with leaders prioritising the well-being of pupils, families and the community.
Extracurricular Activities
sports activities, clubs, after-school activities, musical instrument lessons, theatre visits, castle visits, art workshops, breakfast club
Fairhaven Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School is a Good school where pupils enjoy learning and feel valued. The school has a rich, broad curriculum underpinned by strong values of Belief, Friendship, Diversity and Achievement.
At a Glance
10.7%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
What Parents Think
51 responsesSource: Ofsted Parent View, responses as at September 2025 - % who strongly agree or agree
Primary Performance (KS2)
Academic year 2024/25KS2 Results (% meeting expected standard)
Reading has improved from 65% to 93% (2024 to 2025). Maths has improved from 59% to 67% (2024 to 2025). Writing has declined from 65% to 60% (2024 to 2025).
Class Sizes
25.8
Avg class size
21.5
Infant (KS1)
30.0
KS2
4
Total classes
1 class with more than 30 pupils
2025/26 academic year
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 5 nearby primary schools
Keep up with Fairhaven Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School
Getting There
Bus Stops
Free school transport
You apply to the council where you live. Fairhaven Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School is in Norfolk; for families living there:
Apply to Norfolk for free school transport. Its policy is on the council's website.
Safety and surroundings
Road collisions within 500 m (2021 to 2025)
No injury road collisions were reported to the police within 500 m of the school's mapped location in 2021 to 2025.
The typical figure for schools in Norfolk is 4 (the median across 462 schools, same distance and years).
Serious and slight counts use the Department for Transport's severity adjustment, which allows for changes in how police forces record injuries; they are estimates, rounded to whole numbers. Distances are in a straight line. Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19), Open Government Licence v3.0.
Commute and house prices
Your chances of a place at Fairhaven Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School
Will you get a place at Fairhaven Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School? Get the admissions report
Your home postcode, set against Fairhaven Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School's admissions figures, in one report saved to your account.
What the report includes for Fairhaven Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School:
- The straight-line distance from your home to Fairhaven Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School.
- We hold no last distance offered figures from Norfolk, so the report covers demand, alternatives and dates.
- Applications, first choices and offers at Fairhaven Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School for 2014 to 2026 entry.
- How many families in Norfolk got their first choice, and how often appeals there succeed.
- The nearest state schools to your home, with Ofsted rating, demand and last distance offered where published.
- Key dates for September 2027 entry and how to apply.
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Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
94%
Near capacity
99 pupils
105 places
6 spare places in 2025
2025, DfE school capacity data
Area Demand Pressure - Norwich
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Norwich
Across Norfolk council
Places available
9,547
Applications
7,482
Got 1st preference
94.4%
Got preferred school
98.7%
All primary applications across Norfolk council (2026/27), not just this school.
This school: Every first choice offered
Inspection History(7)
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
14
SEN Support
2
EHC Plans
15.5%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Pupils by Need Type
Pupil Demographics
Ethnicity
2026 academic year
Key Indicators
103
Total Pupils
56
Boys
47
Girls
2026 academic year
Workforce
8
Teachers
12.9:1
Pupil-teacher ratio
£48,901
Mean salary
2026 data
School Funding
£6,106
Per pupil
£666k
Total funding
£18k
Pupil premium
2025-26 financial year allocations
Pupil Absence2024/25
4.1%
Overall absence
8.8%
Persistent absence
91
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
Questions parents ask about Fairhaven Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School
What are SATs results like at Fairhaven Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School?
Of the pupils at Fairhaven Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School who took the 2025 Key Stage 2 assessments, 93% reached the expected standard in reading and 67% did so in maths.
What is Fairhaven Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School's Ofsted rating?
Fairhaven Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School's most recent Ofsted inspection, in December 2024, was ungraded, so it gave no overall grade. At its last graded inspection, in June 2015, it was rated Good.
What is the catchment area for Fairhaven Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School?
No fixed boundary. When Fairhaven Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School is oversubscribed, Norfolk allocates places by its published criteria, usually ending with home-to-school distance.
Is it hard to get a place at Fairhaven Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School?
Fairhaven Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School was not full in 2025: it ran at 94% of its 105 places.
How big are the classes at Fairhaven Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School?
Classes at Fairhaven Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School average 25.8 pupils (2025/26). 1 class has more than 30 pupils - infant classes are capped at 30 by law, with limited exceptions.
How many pupils go to Fairhaven Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School?
Fairhaven Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School has around 103 pupils on roll. 11% are eligible for free school meals.
What is attendance like at Fairhaven Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School?
4.1% of sessions were missed at Fairhaven Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School in 2024/25. 8.8% of pupils were persistently absent (missing 10% or more of sessions).
How do I apply to Fairhaven Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School?
Apply through Norfolk's coordinated admissions process, naming Fairhaven Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School on your application. Applications for Reception places starting in September 2027 close on Friday 15 January 2027, and offers are made on Friday 16 April 2027.
How many road collisions happen near Fairhaven Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School?
No injury road collisions were reported to the police within 500 m of the school's mapped location in 2021 to 2025. The typical figure for schools in Norfolk is 4 (the median across 462 schools, same distance and years).
Where is Fairhaven Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School?
Fairhaven Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School is at School Road, South Walsham, Norwich, Norfolk, NR13 6DZ.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)