The Open Academy, Norwich

In its own words: "At The Open Academy, our identity as a Church of England school is not simply a label - it is the foundation upon which everything we do is built."

From the headteacher's welcome: "I am delighted to have joined this wonderful community as Principal, and to feel the privilege - and the responsibility - of helping to lead Open Academy into its next exciting chapter. Throughout my career, I have been struck time and again by the transformative power of education. It does not simply build knowledge; it builds courage."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include film and book club.

In 2026, pupils at The Open Academy averaged an Attainment 8 score of 33.1, the average grade across their best eight GCSEs. The average state school scored 45 in Norfolk and 47 across England.

26% passed English and maths at grade 5 or above, against 43% in Norfolk and 47% in England.

That is down from 36.7 in 2025.

Its most recent Progress 8 score, for 2024, was -0.46: 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 32, against 33.9 for other pupils at the school - a gap of 1.9 points.

Pupils sat GCSEs in 17 subjects; after English and maths, the most popular were Combined Science, Art and Design and History.

For September 2026 entry, 91 families put The Open Academy as their first choice and 250 named it as one of their preferences, for 96 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state secondary schools to The Open Academy are Sprowston Community Academy (0.5 miles, Good, Attainment 8 45.8); Sewell Park Academy (1.2 miles, Good, Attainment 8 37.6); Thorpe St Andrew School and Sixth Form (1.4 miles, Outstanding, Attainment 8 47.9); and Jane Austen College (1.6 miles, Outstanding, Attainment 8 52.2).

Each of them had higher 2026 results than The Open Academy.

The Open Academy is one of 42 schools run by The Diocese of Norwich Education and Academies Trust, an academy trust.

Of the 101 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 81% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 63% to a further education college, 4% to an apprenticeship and 3% into work.

Of the 36 students who left the sixth form in 2023/24, 31% went on to university or other higher education, 3% to apprenticeships and 44% into work.

39.7% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 150 pupils (28.4%) received SEN support and 43 (8.1%) 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 social, emotional and mental health needs.

The Open Academy has a resourced provision for autism: 20 places, 13 pupils on roll.

The nearest railway station is Norwich Rail Station, about 1.4 miles away in a straight line.

8 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Sprowston Retail Park (opposite), 110 metres away.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood The Open Academy 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 198 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, The Open Academy issued 342 suspensions, 61.1 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and 5 permanent exclusions.

The primary schools closest to The Open Academy are Heartsease Primary Academy (0.3 miles), Falcon Junior School (0.5 miles), Cecil Gowing Infant School (0.5 miles) and St William's Primary School (0.7 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.