Northgate High School, Dereham

In its own words: "Unity Education Trust exists to provide high quality education and ensure progress for all our children and young people in both mainstream school settings and alternative provision/specialist academies and services. Unity Education Trust (UET) is a Multi-Academy Trust built on developing like-minded schools to outstanding through collaborative working that develops a unity of purpose in all that we do."

From the headteacher's welcome: "Welcome to Northgate High School. We hope that parents and prospective pupils will find our school a welcoming environment. We appreciate that selecting the right educational environment for your child is an all-important foundation for life-long success."

In 2026, pupils at Northgate High School averaged an Attainment 8 score of 40.6, the average grade across their best eight GCSEs. The average state school scored 45 in Norfolk and 47 across England.

33% passed English and maths at grade 5 or above, against 43% in Norfolk and 47% in England.

That is in line with 2025, when the score was 41.

Its most recent Progress 8 score, for 2024, was -0.32: pupils made below average progress compared with pupils nationally who started secondary school at the same level. Progress 8 was not published for 2026.

Disadvantaged pupils averaged an Attainment 8 of 28.5, against 44.1 for other pupils at the school - a gap of 15.6 points.

Pupils sat GCSEs in 21 subjects; after English and maths, the most popular were Combined Science, History and Art and Design.

For September 2026 entry, 161 families put Northgate High School as their first choice and 281 named it as one of their preferences, for 171 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

Northgate High School is one of 15 schools run by Unity Education Trust, an academy trust.

Of the 160 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 72% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 41% to a further education college, 6% to an apprenticeship and 8% into work.

Of the 169 students who left the sixth form in 2023/24, 40% went on to university or other higher education, 9% to apprenticeships and 34% into work. 10% went to one of the most selective third of universities.

7.2% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The nearest tram or metro stop is Dereham (Mid Norfolk Railway), about 1030 metres away (roughly a 13-minute walk).

7 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Northgate High School (adjacent), 110 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 102 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and shoplifting. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Norfolk (28), as is usual near a town centre.

In 2024/25, Northgate High School issued 259 suspensions, 21.8 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and 4 permanent exclusions.

The primary schools closest to Northgate High School are King's Park Infant School, Dereham (0.3 miles); Dereham Church of England Infant and Nursery Academy (0.5 miles); Grove House Infant and Nursery School (0.8 miles); and Dereham Church of England Junior Academy (1 mile). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.