Heartwood CofE VC Primary & Nursery School, Swaffham

From the headteacher's welcome: "At Heartwood, we are an inclusive Church school where every child is known, valued and encouraged to flourish. We have high aspirations for every child and believe that everyone can achieve their very best. Through an ambitious curriculum, exceptional care and high expectations, we prepare our children to be confident, resilient and ready for the next stage of their education."

In 2025, 62% of Year 6 pupils at Heartwood CofE VC Primary & Nursery School reached the expected standard in reading and 41% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 73% and 70% in Norfolk and 77% and 75% across England.

Results rose from 42% in reading and 27% in maths in 2024.

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

For September 2026 entry, 36 families put Heartwood CofE VC Primary & Nursery School as their first choice and 68 named it as one of their preferences, for 29 places offered. That is 1.2 first choices for every place. 9 families who put it first were not offered a place there.

The nearest other state primary schools to Heartwood CofE VC Primary & Nursery School are Swaffham Meadow Primary School (0.3 miles, 27% reading, 13% maths); Swaffham CofE Primary Academy (0.4 miles, Good, 50% reading, 50% maths); Sporle Church of England Primary Academy (2.5 miles, Good, 38% reading, 38% maths); and Necton VA Primary School (3.8 miles, Good, 67% reading, 63% maths).

Heartwood CofE VC Primary & Nursery School's 2025 results were higher than 3 of these 4 schools.

In 2026, 63 pupils (26.1%) received SEN support and 11 (4.6%) 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 social, emotional and mental health needs.

Heartwood CofE VC Primary & Nursery School had 14 teachers in 2026, one for every 15 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 Heartwood CofE VC Primary & Nursery School.

7 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Heartwood CE VC Primary School (opposite), 40 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 56 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, public order offences and anti-social behaviour. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Norfolk (28), as is usual near a town centre.

In 2024/25, Heartwood CofE VC Primary & Nursery School issued 60 suspensions, 24.1 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and 2 permanent exclusions.