The Parkside School, Norwich, Norwich
Data last updated 11 Sept 2026
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 1 year agoOverall
Ofsted Insights
What This School Does Well
The Parkside School creates a genuinely happy place where all pupils with SEND make exceptional progress. Staff are experts at adapting teaching so every child can access learning with the right support, and pupils develop strong communication skills alongside growing independence. The school goes far beyond the basics, offering experiences like canoeing, work placements and residentials that many pupils could never access elsewhere.
Key Strengths
- Excellent behaviour support with expert strategies to help pupils manage emotions and stay calm
- Outstanding reading provision with adaptive systems and books matched exactly to each pupil's level
- Highly skilled staff who know pupils' individual needs and seamlessly adapt all learning
- Well-designed curriculum that repeats core learning and provides diverse experiences over time
- Extensive enrichment opportunities including canoeing, biking, signing choir, competitions and residentials
Safeguarding
Safeguarding arrangements are effective, with strong systems and a positive culture that puts pupils' interests first.
Extracurricular Activities
Canoeing, bike riding, signing choir, competitions, residentials, enterprise projects, work experience, hair and beauty courses, land management in the Broads
The Parkside School is a special school for pupils with SEND that has maintained outstanding standards. Pupils make exceptional progress academically and personally in a happy, purposeful learning environment where high expectations and well-adapted teaching help them thrive.
At a Glance
57.1%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
Yes
Sixth Form
SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty, VI - Visual Impairment, OTH - Other Difficulty/Disability, HI - Hearing Impairment
SEN Provision
No
Special Measures
What Parents Think
12 responsesSource: Ofsted Parent View - % who strongly agree or agree
Primary Performance (KS2)
Academic year 2025/26KS2 Results (% meeting expected standard)
Reading has remained stable at around 0%. Maths has remained stable at around 0%. Writing has remained stable at around 0%.
Class Sizes
0.0
Avg class size
0
Total classes
2024/25 academic year
Commute Calculator
Find out if this school is reachable from your home - before you apply
What are my chances?
Enter your postcode to estimate your probability of getting a place.
Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
117%
Over capacity
199 pupils
170 capacity
29 places over capacity
Area Demand Pressure - Norwich
Based on MHCLG housing supply data for Norwich
Admissions Demand - Norfolk
Places available
9,550
Applications
8,636
Got 1st preference
93.3%
Got preferred school
98.2%
Secondary admissions across Norfolk (2025/26)
House Prices
Moving into the catchment? See what homes near this school actually cost
SEN Provision
How many pupils have special educational needs, what types of support the school provides, and how it compares to similar schools.
Pupil Demographics
The school's pupil mix - ethnicity breakdown, free school meals eligibility, and English as an additional language. Useful context when evaluating school fit.
Teachers & Staff
Teacher qualification rates, pupil-to-teacher ratio, staff turnover, and salary data. Shows how well-resourced and stable the school's workforce is.
Pupil Absence2024/25
8.8829%
Overall absence
25.14286%
Persistent absence
175
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
Reviews
No reviews yet - be the first to leave one.
Feeder Primary Schools
Primary schools that likely feed into this school, based on proximity
The Parkside School, Norwich
Recreation Road Infant School
Avenue Junior School
St Francis of Assisi Catholic Primary School
Notre Dame Preparatory School (Norwich) Limited
Colman Infant School
Colman Junior School
Nelson Infant School
Wensum Junior School
Bignold Primary School and Nursery
Bluebell Primary School
Showing 10 of 15 linked schools
Nearby Schools
Do you work at this school?
Claim your profile free to get a verified badge, update your contact details, and see how many parents are viewing your page.