St Nicholas Priory CofE VA Primary School and Nursery, Great Yarmouth
St Nicholas Priory CofE VA Primary School and Nursery is a primary school for pupils aged 3 to 11 in Great Yarmouth. It has a Church of England religious character. It was rated Good at its last graded Ofsted inspection, in March 2019. Ofsted's ungraded inspection in July 2024 did not change this grade. Its 2025 Key Stage 2 results were the 13th-highest of the 29 schools in Great Yarmouth with published results, and 9,982nd of 14,452 across England. It was full in 2025, at 104% of capacity.
- SATs results
- Below England average
- Ofsted
- Good (2019)
- Demand
- Every first choice offered
- Attendance
- In line with England
Reception applications for September 2027 close in 81 days
Deadline Friday 15 January 2027. Apply to Norfolk (the council where you live). Offers on 16 April.
Data last updated 26 Oct 2026
St Nicholas Priory CofE VA Primary School and Nursery in detail
Results
In 2025, 64% of Year 6 pupils at St Nicholas Priory CofE VA Primary School and Nursery reached the expected standard in reading and 78% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 73% and 70% in Norfolk and 77% and 75% across England.
Results fell from 71% in reading and 78% in maths in 2024.
Getting a place at St Nicholas Priory CofE VA Primary School and Nursery
For September 2026 entry, 56 families put St Nicholas Priory CofE VA Primary School and Nursery as their first choice and 109 named it as one of their preferences, for 56 places offered. That is one first choice for every place. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.
Admissions history and your chances at St Nicholas Priory CofE VA Primary School and Nursery
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other state primary schools to St Nicholas Priory CofE VA Primary School and Nursery are Northgate Primary School (0.5 miles, Good, 61% reading, 61% maths); Cobholm Primary Academy (0.6 miles, Good, 64% reading, 77% maths); St. George's Primary School & St. George's Nursery School, Great Yarmouth (0.6 miles, Good, 47% reading, 57% maths); and Southtown Primary School (0.8 miles, Requires improvement, 64% reading, 54% maths).
St Nicholas Priory CofE VA Primary School and Nursery's 2025 results were higher than all 4 of them.
Northgate Primary SchoolCobholm Primary AcademySt. George's Primary School & St. George's Nursery School, Great YarmouthSouthtown Primary School
Who goes there
52.4% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), and 47.4% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.
The largest ethnic groups are White British (51%) and Mixed (9%).
In 2026, 86 pupils (20.6%) received SEN support and 41 (9.8%) 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.
St Nicholas Priory CofE VA Primary School and Nursery has a SEN unit: 25 places, 25 pupils on roll.
Staffing
St Nicholas Priory CofE VA Primary School and Nursery had 30 teachers in 2026, one for every 14 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical primary school, at about one for every 20.
Getting there
The nearest railway station is Great Yarmouth Rail Station, about 470 metres away (roughly a 6-minute walk).
15 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is St. Nicholas' Church (adjacent), 120 metres away.
The area around the school
Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood St Nicholas Priory CofE VA Primary School and Nursery stands in is among the 10% most deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.
In August 2026, police recorded 604 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.
Suspensions and exclusions
In 2024/25, St Nicholas Priory CofE VA Primary School and Nursery issued 11 suspensions, 2.6 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.
Secondary schools nearby
The secondary schools closest to St Nicholas Priory CofE VA Primary School and Nursery are Visiting Teacher Service East at Education Services Centre (0.4 miles) and Great Yarmouth Charter Academy (0.7 miles).
Visiting Teacher Service East at Education Services CentreGreat Yarmouth Charter Academy
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; DfE school workforce census; NaPTAN (Department for Transport); English Indices of Deprivation 2025 (MHCLG); data.police.uk street-level crime; DfE exclusions statistics
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 2 years agoThis judgement is from March 2019, 7 years ago, longer than Ofsted's usual 4-year cycle: the school may have changed since.
Overall
Latest (ungraded) inspection: The school remains Good and may be improving; its next inspection will be a full graded one.
Ofsted's report, in its own words
What is it like to attend this school?
Pupils benefit from the school's mission 'to learn, love and serve' because it is truly demonstrated by all. Leaders and staff go above and beyond to ensure that they meet all pupils' needs. While most pupils join in Reception, some arrive at older ages. Pupils and their families are supported well by the school when there are concerns. Pupils are safe and secure in this inclusive and welcoming school.
Pupils respond positively to the school's high expectations of them. Children get off to a flying start in Reception. Pupils learn well and staff prepare them well for their next stage of education.
What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?
Pupils achieve well at this school. Many pupils join the school with considerable barriers to learning. The school, without delay, identifies pupils' needs precisely and provides exactly the right support. As pupils' learning needs are met consistently, they do well. Pupils with SEND access the curriculum successfully. For some pupils with SEND who have specific needs, there is intensive support in the school's specialist provision, 'The Pod', where they thrive.
The school prioritises and promotes reading. Highly skilled teaching in Reception ensures that children develop their early reading skills securely. Staff ensure that pupils learn strategies to become independent readers. If a pupil falls behind, or they have difficulties because they speak English as an additional language, they get the help they need to catch up quickly. During their time at the school, pupils become confident and fluent readers.
From Ofsted's July 2024 ungraded 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 Good at its March 2019 inspection - unchanged since its previous inspection.
Rated Good for
Leadership & management.
At a Glance
52.4%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
Yes
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
SEN unit
SEN Provision
No
Special Measures
Primary Performance (KS2)
Academic year 2024/25KS2 Results (% meeting expected standard)
Reading has declined from 71% to 64% (2024 to 2025). Maths has remained stable at around 78% (2024 to 2025). Writing has remained stable at around 70% (2024 to 2025).
Class Sizes
29.7
Avg class size
29.3
Infant (KS1)
29.9
KS2
11
Total classes
1 class with more than 30 pupils
2025/26 academic year
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 5 nearby primary schools
Latest from St Nicholas Priory CofE VA Primary School and Nursery
Music and Art Workshop
21 Sep 2026
Summer Newsletter
9 Jul 2026
Poetry Recital
8 Jul 2026
Year 5 Sleepover
8 Jul 2026
Rock climbing wall
29 Jun 2026
Worship Wonder
12 Jun 2026
From St Nicholas Priory CofE VA Primary School and Nursery's website. School Signal is not affiliated with the school.
Social & online
Keep up with St Nicholas Priory CofE VA Primary School and Nursery
Before and after school care
St Nicholas Priory CofE VA Primary School and Nursery is on the Department for Education's free breakfast clubs programme (list updated July 2026), which pays for a free breakfast club for pupils before school. Source: Free breakfast clubs: schools on the programme, Department for Education Free breakfast clubs in Norfolk
Getting There
Train Stations
Bus Stops
Free school transport
Check free transport to St Nicholas Priory CofE VA Primary School and Nursery from your postcode →
You apply to the council where you live. St Nicholas Priory CofE VA Primary School and Nursery 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
- 83
- Fatal
- 1
- Serious
- 19
- Children hurt
- 10
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 83 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: 1 fatal, 19 serious and 63 slight.
10 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt: 4 on foot, 2 on a bicycle and 4 in a vehicle or otherwise.
14 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 St Nicholas Priory CofE VA Primary School and Nursery
Will you get a place at St Nicholas Priory CofE VA Primary School and Nursery? Get the admissions report
Your home postcode, set against St Nicholas Priory CofE VA Primary School and Nursery's admissions figures, in one report saved to your account.
What the report includes for St Nicholas Priory CofE VA Primary School and Nursery:
- The straight-line distance from your home to St Nicholas Priory CofE VA Primary School and Nursery.
- We hold no last distance offered figures from Norfolk, so the report covers demand, alternatives and dates.
- Applications, first choices and offers at St Nicholas Priory CofE VA Primary School and Nursery for 2015 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.
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Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
104%
Over capacity
427 pupils
411 places
16 pupils over capacity in 2025
2025, DfE school capacity data
Area Demand Pressure - Great Yarmouth
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Great Yarmouth
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: Every first choice offered
Inspection History(10)
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
86
SEN Support
41
EHC Plans
30.4%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
St Nicholas Priory CofE VA Primary School and Nursery has a SEN unit: 25 places, 25 pupils on roll.
Source: GIAS, Department for Education.
Pupils by Need Type
Pupil Demographics
Ethnicity
2026 academic year
Key Indicators
418
Total Pupils
207
Boys
211
Girls
2026 academic year
Workforce
30
Teachers
13.9:1
Pupil-teacher ratio
£48,715
Mean salary
2026 data
School Funding
£5,948
Per pupil
£2941k
Total funding
£326k
Pupil premium
2025-26 financial year allocations
Pupil Absence2024/25
5.7%
Overall absence
13.6%
Persistent absence
382
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
Secondary Schools Nearby
Secondary schools pupils are likely to move to
St Nicholas Priory CofE VA Primary School and Nursery
Questions parents ask about St Nicholas Priory CofE VA Primary School and Nursery
What are SATs results like at St Nicholas Priory CofE VA Primary School and Nursery?
Of the pupils at St Nicholas Priory CofE VA Primary School and Nursery who took the 2025 Key Stage 2 assessments, 64% reached the expected standard in reading and 78% did so in maths.
What is St Nicholas Priory CofE VA Primary School and Nursery's Ofsted rating?
St Nicholas Priory CofE VA Primary School and Nursery's most recent Ofsted inspection, in July 2024, was ungraded, so it gave no overall grade. At its last graded inspection, in March 2019, it was rated Good.
What is the catchment area for St Nicholas Priory CofE VA Primary School and Nursery?
No fixed boundary. When St Nicholas Priory CofE VA Primary School and Nursery is oversubscribed, Norfolk allocates places by its published criteria, usually ending with home-to-school distance.
Is it hard to get a place at St Nicholas Priory CofE VA Primary School and Nursery?
St Nicholas Priory CofE VA Primary School and Nursery was full in 2025, at 104% of its capacity, so places are allocated on the oversubscription criteria.
How big are the classes at St Nicholas Priory CofE VA Primary School and Nursery?
Classes at St Nicholas Priory CofE VA Primary School and Nursery average 29.7 pupils (2025/26). 1 class has more than 30 pupils - infant classes are capped at 30 by law, with limited exceptions.
How many pupils go to St Nicholas Priory CofE VA Primary School and Nursery?
St Nicholas Priory CofE VA Primary School and Nursery has around 418 pupils on roll. 52% are eligible for free school meals.
Does St Nicholas Priory CofE VA Primary School and Nursery have specialist SEN provision?
St Nicholas Priory CofE VA Primary School and Nursery has a SEN unit: 25 places, 25 pupils on roll.
What is attendance like at St Nicholas Priory CofE VA Primary School and Nursery?
5.7% of sessions were missed at St Nicholas Priory CofE VA Primary School and Nursery in 2024/25. 13.6% of pupils were persistently absent (missing 10% or more of sessions).
How do I apply to St Nicholas Priory CofE VA Primary School and Nursery?
Apply through Norfolk's coordinated admissions process, naming St Nicholas Priory CofE VA Primary School and Nursery 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.
Does St Nicholas Priory CofE VA Primary School and Nursery have a breakfast club or after-school club?
St Nicholas Priory CofE VA Primary School and Nursery is on the Department for Education's free breakfast clubs programme (list updated July 2026), which pays for a free breakfast club for pupils before school.
How many road collisions happen near St Nicholas Priory CofE VA Primary School and Nursery?
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 83 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: 1 fatal, 19 serious and 63 slight. 10 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt: 4 on foot, 2 on a bicycle and 4 in a vehicle or otherwise. 14 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 St Nicholas Priory CofE VA Primary School and Nursery?
St Nicholas Priory CofE VA Primary School and Nursery is at St Nicholas Road, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, NR30 1NL.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)