UET Pathfinder Academy, Norwich

In its own words: "Our aim is to facilitate attendance excellence, behaviour excellence, curriculum excellence in order to develop resilient, resourceful and socially successful adults. In its broadest sense, curriculum encompasses all planned learning experiences, both formal and informal, that shape a student’s development, including subject-specific learning, school culture, and extracurricular activities."

From the headteacher's welcome: "We provide a high quality education for pupils in Year Groups Reception to Year 11 (age 5 to 16) who have no mainstream school place. We have a number of sites spread across the county in order to ensure good local services for the schools and communities we serve."

Across Norfolk, 94% of families were offered their first-choice secondary school for 2026 entry, and 98% were offered one of the schools they named.

In 2026, families in Norfolk lodged 170 appeals against secondary school offers; 102 reached a hearing and 39 succeeded (38.2% of those heard).

The nearest other state secondary schools to UET Pathfinder Academy are Broadland High Ormiston Academy (4.2 miles, Good, Attainment 8 49.3); Aylsham High School (4.3 miles, Good, Attainment 8 48.6); North Walsham High School (4.6 miles, Good, Attainment 8 44.1); and Visiting Teacher Service North (4.7 miles).

UET Pathfinder Academy is one of 15 schools run by Unity Education Trust, an academy trust.

Of the 73 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 33% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 32% to a further education college, 3% to an apprenticeship and 4% into work.

71.5% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), and 7.7% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 98 pupils (34.5%) received SEN support and 119 (41.9%) 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 nearest railway station is Worstead Rail Station, about 2.9 miles away in a straight line.

2 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Stores (adjacent), 330 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 16 crimes within a mile of the school, most often anti-social behaviour, violence and sexual offences and criminal damage and arson. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Norfolk (28).