Norwich Road Academy, Thetford

In its own words: "Our school aims to prepare pupils for life in modern Britain. We promote fundamental British values through teaching about democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs. British Values are taught throughout our curriculum and are enhanced through our weekly Picture News."

From the headteacher's welcome: "We are happy to help. We are a larger than average primary school in the heart of Thetford, Norfolk. We have a long history in the town and we continue to grow, develop and adapt, to support the children that we care for. Our Academy has Nursery provision and classes from Reception to Year 6."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include football, hockey, athletics, gymnastics, badminton, running, choir, guitar, chess and STEM.

In 2025, 72% of Year 6 pupils at Norwich Road Academy reached the expected standard in reading and 72% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 73% and 70% in Norfolk and 77% and 75% across England.

Results were similar in 2024 (69% in reading, 71% in maths).

For September 2026 entry, 27 families put Norwich Road Academy as their first choice and 73 named it as one of their preferences, for 28 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. 1 family who put it first was not offered a place there.

The nearest other state primary schools to Norwich Road Academy are Drake Primary School (0.5 miles, Good, 72% reading, 52% maths); Admirals Academy (0.6 miles, Good, 76% reading, 67% maths); Raleigh Infant Academy (0.6 miles, Good); and The Bishop's Church of England Primary Academy (0.7 miles, Requires improvement, 48% reading, 48% maths).

Norwich Road Academy's 2025 results were higher than all 3 of them.

Norwich Road Academy is one of 12 schools run by Eastern Multi-Academy Trust, an academy trust.

51 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Norwich Road Academy (as of September 2025): 90% would recommend the school, 88% say their child is happy there and 50% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that they would recommend the school (90%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (50%).

51.1% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (36%), Mixed (9%) and Black (5%).

In 2026, 68 pupils (21.5%) received SEN support and 26 (8.2%) 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 Thetford Rail Station, about 480 metres away (roughly a 6-minute walk).

8 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Grove Lane (opposite), 20 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 205 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and public order offences. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Norfolk (28), as is usual near a town centre.

In 2024/25, Norwich Road Academy issued 39 suspensions, 12.6 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.