Rackheath Primary School, Norwich
Rackheath Primary School is a primary school for pupils aged 4 to 11 in Norwich. It was rated Outstanding at its last graded Ofsted inspection, in July 2024. Its 2025 Key Stage 2 results were the 23rd-highest of the 102 schools in Norwich with published results, and 5,071st of 14,452 across England. For 2026 entry it had 1.6 first-choice applications for every place. It was full in 2025, at 103% of capacity.
- SATs results
- Above England average
- Ofsted
- Outstanding (2024)
- Demand
- 1.6 first choices per place
- Attendance
- In line with England
Reception applications for September 2027 close in 80 days
Deadline Friday 15 January 2027. Apply to Norfolk (the council where you live). Offers on 16 April.
Data last updated 27 Oct 2026
Rackheath Primary School in detail
Rackheath Primary School in its own words
In its own words: "Our Rackheath School Ethos and Values have been created in collaboration with children, staff, parents and governors. These important documents set out our purpose, our goals and our values. They set out what the school stands for and what we believe our school should be about. They set a benchmark against which we can measure whether we are successful."
From the headteacher's welcome: "We are a pre-school attached to Rackheath Primary School, providing sessional childcare to pre-school aged children in and around Rackheath, Norwich."
Clubs and activities named on the school's website include football, netball, rugby, cricket, tennis, athletics, swimming, multi-sports, cross-country and ukulele.
The school runs a breakfast club from 7:45am and after-school care until 5:30pm, from £10 per session.
Vision and values (school website)Headteacher's welcome (school website)Clubs (school website)Wraparound care (school website)
Source: The school's own website
Results
In 2025, 75% of Year 6 pupils at Rackheath Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 88% 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 (84% in reading, 84% in maths).
With small year groups, a few pupils can move these figures by several points.
Getting a place at Rackheath Primary School
For September 2026 entry, 46 families put Rackheath Primary School as their first choice and 83 named it as one of their preferences, for 29 places offered. That is 1.6 first choices for every place. 17 families who put it first were not offered a place there.
Admissions history and your chances at Rackheath Primary School
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other state primary schools to Rackheath Primary School are White House Farm (1.6 miles, Good); Little Plumstead Church of England Primary Academy (1.7 miles, 67% reading, 57% maths); Salhouse CofE Primary School (1.8 miles, Good, 60% reading, 40% maths); and Sparhawk Infant School & Nursery (2.1 miles, Outstanding).
Rackheath Primary School's 2025 results were higher than all 2 of them.
White House FarmLittle Plumstead Church of England Primary AcademySalhouse CofE Primary SchoolSparhawk Infant School & Nursery
Who goes there
2.8% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.
In 2026, 37 pupils (17.3%) received SEN support and 6 (2.8%) 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.
Getting there
The nearest railway station is Salhouse Rail Station, about 1 mile away in a straight line.
8 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Sole & Heel (opposite), 180 metres away.
The area around the school
In August 2026, police recorded 18 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, public order offences and anti-social behaviour. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Norfolk (28).
Suspensions and exclusions
In 2024/25, Rackheath Primary School issued 11 suspensions, 5.1 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.
Sources: DfE school performance data (averages: state mainstream schools); DfE school-level applications and offers; council admissions booklets; DfE appeals statistics; DfE school census and special educational needs statistics; NaPTAN (Department for Transport); English Indices of Deprivation 2025 (MHCLG); data.police.uk street-level crime; DfE exclusions statistics
Location
Our estimate from how close the nearest similar schools are and how oversubscribed the council's schools are. It is not a published boundary.
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 2 years agoOverall
Quality of Education
Behaviour & Attitudes
Personal Development
Leadership & Management
Early Years
Ofsted's report, in its own words
What is it like to attend this school?
This is a caring and nurturing school with the community at its heart. Pupils are safe and happy here. Leaders and staff share a vision that puts the pupils at the forefront of everything that they do. Pupils feel valued. They become well-rounded, self-assured and respectful individuals.
Pupils' behaviour is exemplary. They typically manage their own behaviour and emotions. Pupils who need additional support are exceptionally well cared for by the school's pastoral team. In class, pupils are attentive and work extremely hard. They benefit from a rich and creative curriculum. Pupils achieve well across all areas of learning.
What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?
The school's curriculum prepares pupils well for life beyond Rackheath Primary School. The important knowledge that pupils need to be successful is clearly identified, starting in early years. Memorable enrichment activities such as visits to places of worship bring learning to life. Adults use the systems in place well to check what pupils know and understand. Staff address any errors or misconceptions quickly. This helps pupils to build an extensive body of knowledge across the curriculum.
Leaders have placed a sharp focus on the teaching of early reading. Staff are expert in delivering the phonics programme and teach this to a high standard. They continuously check pupils' understanding and swiftly put support in place to ensure pupils do not fall behind. Pupils read a wide range of texts. They demonstrate a genuine love of reading. Pupils are confident and fluent readers.
From Ofsted's July 2024 inspection report: the opening paragraphs of each section, quoted word for word. Read the full report Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Ofsted Insights
Ofsted rated this school Outstanding at its July 2024 inspection.
Rated Outstanding for
Quality of education, Behaviour & attitudes, Personal development, Leadership & management, Early years.
At a Glance
18.2%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
Primary Performance (KS2)
Academic year 2024/25KS2 Results (% meeting expected standard)
Reading has declined from 84% to 75% (2024 to 2025). Maths has improved from 84% to 88% (2024 to 2025). Writing has declined from 81% to 69% (2024 to 2025).
Class Sizes
30.6
Avg class size
30.0
Infant (KS1)
30.8
KS2
5
Total classes
3 classes with more than 30 pupils
2025/26 academic year
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 5 nearby primary schools
Keep up with Rackheath Primary School
Getting There
Bus Stops
Free school transport
Check free transport to Rackheath Primary School from your postcode →
You apply to the council where you live. Rackheath 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)
- Collisions
- 10
- Fatal
- 0
- Serious
- 1
- Children hurt
- 2
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 10 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 1 serious and 9 slight.
2 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt: 1 on foot and 1 in a vehicle or otherwise.
3 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included.
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 Rackheath Primary School
Will you get a place at Rackheath Primary School? Get the admissions report
Your home postcode, set against Rackheath Primary School's admissions figures, in one report saved to your account.
What the report includes for Rackheath Primary School:
- The straight-line distance from your home to Rackheath 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 Rackheath 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.
£9.99 once
One school, inc. VAT. Or £19.99 for up to three schools.
Pro £9 a month, every report included, cancel any time
A report for any school, plus everything else in Pro.
Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
103%
Over capacity
217 pupils
210 places
7 pupils over capacity 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: 1.6 first choices per place
Inspection History(9)
Ungraded inspection: The school remains Good and may be improving; its next inspection will be a full graded one.
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
37
SEN Support
6
EHC Plans
20.1%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Pupils by Need Type
Pupil Demographics
Ethnicity
2026 academic year
Key Indicators
214
Total Pupils
105
Boys
109
Girls
2026 academic year
Workforce
12
Teachers
17.8:1
Pupil-teacher ratio
£47,688
Mean salary
2026 data
School Funding
£5,261
Per pupil
£1256k
Total funding
£59k
Pupil premium
2025-26 financial year allocations
Pupil Absence2024/25
4.5%
Overall absence
10.0%
Persistent absence
190
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
Questions parents ask about Rackheath Primary School
What are SATs results like at Rackheath Primary School?
Of the pupils at Rackheath Primary School who took the 2025 Key Stage 2 assessments, 75% reached the expected standard in reading and 88% did so in maths.
What is Rackheath Primary School's Ofsted rating?
Rackheath Primary School was rated Outstanding at its most recent Ofsted inspection in July 2024. At its previous graded inspection in 2013 it was rated Good.
What is the catchment area for Rackheath Primary School?
No fixed boundary. When Rackheath 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 Rackheath Primary School?
Rackheath Primary School was full in 2025, at 103% of its capacity, so places are allocated on the oversubscription criteria.
How big are the classes at Rackheath Primary School?
Classes at Rackheath Primary School average 30.6 pupils (2025/26). 3 classes have more than 30 pupils - infant classes are capped at 30 by law, with limited exceptions.
How many pupils go to Rackheath Primary School?
Rackheath Primary School has around 214 pupils on roll. 18% are eligible for free school meals.
What is attendance like at Rackheath Primary School?
4.5% of sessions were missed at Rackheath Primary School in 2024/25. 10% of pupils were persistently absent (missing 10% or more of sessions).
How do I apply to Rackheath Primary School?
Apply through Norfolk's coordinated admissions process, naming Rackheath 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 Rackheath Primary School?
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 10 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 1 serious and 9 slight. 2 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt: 1 on foot and 1 in a vehicle or otherwise. 3 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included. The typical figure for schools in Norfolk is 4 (the median across 462 schools, same distance and years).
Where is Rackheath Primary School?
Rackheath Primary School is at Willoughby Way, Rackheath, Norwich, Norfolk, NR13 6SL.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)