Harpley CofE VC Primary School, King's Lynn

Ofsted's report card from its 13 January 2026 inspection grades Harpley CofE VC Primary School on 6 areas: 3 expected standard and 3 needs attention. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Attendance and behaviour - Expected standard. "Attendance at the school, while lower in the previous academic year, is now improving."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "Inclusion is a strength of the school."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "The school's personal development offer is broad and purposeful and suitably prepares pupils for life beyond the school."

Achievement - Needs attention. "Over the past 3 years, too few pupils have achieved the expected standard in reading, writing, and mathematics by the time they leave the school at the end of Year 6."

Curriculum and teaching - Needs attention. "There is work to do to create greater consistency in how well pupils learn."

Leadership and governance - Needs attention. "Pupils' academic experience is not yet giving them the opportunity to achieve their full potential."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "• Leaders should further train and support staff to teach the curriculum with confidence and clarity. They should ensure that classroom practice more consistently meets the needs of different learners in the school's mixed-age classes. • Leaders should ensure that pupils consistently receive precise and timely checks on work and learning to address gaps in key knowledge quickly and effectively. • Governors should be more rigorous and robust in challenging school leaders over key improvement priorities, such as curriculum implementation, achievement and attendance. • Leaders should continue to monitor and support pupils to secure sustained, strong attendance. This is particularly the case for those pupils who do not attend as well as they could".

In 2025, 50% of Year 6 pupils at Harpley CofE VC Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 50% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 73% and 70% in Norfolk and 77% and 75% across England.

Results fell from 71% in reading and 71% in maths in 2024.

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

For September 2026 entry, 5 families put Harpley CofE VC Primary School as their first choice and 9 named it as one of their preferences, for 5 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 Harpley CofE VC Primary School are Great Massingham CofE Primary School (2.1 miles, Good, 82% reading, 55% maths); Rudham CofE Primary Academy (2.6 miles, Good, 67% reading, 33% maths); Flitcham Church of England Primary Academy (3.8 miles, Good, 88% reading, 75% maths); and Blenheim Park Academy (5.2 miles, Good, 100% reading, 90% maths).

Each of them had higher 2025 results than Harpley CofE VC Primary School.

21 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Harpley CofE VC Primary School (as of April 2026): 86% would recommend the school, 91% say their child is happy there and 50% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that their child is happy at the school (91%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (50%).

2% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 10 pupils (20%) received SEN support and 4 (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.

Harpley CofE VC Primary School had 4 teachers in 2026, one for every 14 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical primary school, at about one for every 20.

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

4 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Rose & Crown (adjacent), 120 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 0 crimes within a mile of the school. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Norfolk (28).

Harpley CofE VC Primary School recorded no suspensions or permanent exclusions in 2024/25.