Redcastle Family School, Thetford

In its own words: "Choosing your child's school is one of the most important decisions you will make. We believe all children are entitled to the very best in education and we are proud to say we offer just that."

In 2025, 73% of Year 6 pupils at Redcastle Family School reached the expected standard in reading and 85% 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 (76% in reading, 82% in maths).

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

For September 2026 entry, 30 families put Redcastle Family School as their first choice and 63 named it as one of their preferences, for 28 places offered. That is 1.1 first choices for every place. 4 families who put it first were not offered a place there.

The nearest other state primary schools to Redcastle Family School are Queensway Junior Academy (0.4 miles, 65% reading, 59% maths); Queensway Infant Academy (0.4 miles); The Bishop's Church of England Primary Academy (0.4 miles, Requires improvement, 48% reading, 48% maths); and Norwich Road Academy (0.7 miles, Requires improvement, 72% reading, 72% maths).

Redcastle Family School's 2025 results were higher than all 3 of them.

30.7% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 46 pupils (16.6%) received SEN support and 30 (10.8%) 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 autism.

Redcastle Family School has a SEN unit for autism and moderate learning difficulties: 32 places, 32 pupils on roll.

Redcastle Family School had 16 teachers in 2026, one for every 15 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical primary school, at about one for every 20.

The nearest railway station is Thetford Rail Station, about 1060 metres away (roughly a 13-minute walk).

5 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is St Johns Way (o/s 40), 220 metres away.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood Redcastle Family School stands in is among the 20% most deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.

In August 2026, police recorded 199 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and criminal damage and arson. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Norfolk (28), as is usual near a town centre.

In 2024/25, Redcastle Family School issued 9 suspensions, 3.3 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.