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OpenSecondaryOfsted: GoodURN 145196

Downham Market Academy

Academy sponsor led · Downham Market · PE38 9LL

Ages 11–18 · 1,329 pupils · Norfolk

School website

Ofsted

Good

Attainment 8

43.3

Overall absence

9.4%

Admissions demand

1.23 · Competitive

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

Good

Inspection date

2022-04-26

Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good
Safeguarding effective
Yes

Source: Ofsted monthly management information

Performance

Official school-level results. Figures are not rankings — suppressed values are omitted.

Key stage 4 (2023/24)

Progress 8-0.06
−20+2
Attainment 843.3
English & maths grade 5+43%
English & maths grade 4+63%
EBacc entry43%

EBacc APS: 3.9

Source: DfE school and college performance tables

Absence

Academic year 2023/24. Persistent absence means 10%+ of sessions missed. Lower figures are better.

Overall absence9.4%
Persistent absence (10%+)27.0%
Unauthorised4.6%
Authorised absence
4.8%
Severe absence (50%+)
4.2%
Enrolments in measure
1,235

Absence trend

2021/22

2022/23

2023/24

  • Overall
  • Persistent (10%+)

Source: DfE pupil absence in schools in England

Admissions demand

Coordinated admissions for secondary entry (2024/25 cycle, national offer day). Demand ratio compares families who listed this school 1st with total offers made — not a catchment or distance guarantee.

Demand ratio

1.23 · Competitive

1st preferences

314

Places offered

256

1st-preference offers

255

Total preferences (any rank)
359
Preferred offers (top 3)
256
Applications from outside LA
5
Offers to outside-LA applicants
0

Source: DfE primary and secondary school applications and offers. Figures reflect offers on national offer day; late applications, appeals and waiting lists are not included.

Size & intake

From the GIAS school census (15 Jan 2026).

Capacity fill85%

1,329 pupils · 1,567 places

Pupils on roll
1,329
Boys / girls
656 / 673
School capacity
1,567
Capacity fill
1,329 / 1,567 (85%)
Free school meals
27%
FSM pupils
338
Gender
Mixed
School type
Academy sponsor led

Age range

Ages 11–18

05111619

Provision

Official GIAS characteristics

2 / 6

  • Nursery
  • Sixth formHas a sixth form
  • Boarding
  • Special school
  • Independent
  • Academy

School characteristics

Governance
Academy trust: EASTERN LEARNING ALLIANCE
Academy trust
EASTERN LEARNING ALLIANCE
Sponsor
Eastern Learning Alliance
Headteacher
Dr Natalie Paine

Location

Address
Bexwell Road
Postcode
PE38 9LL
Town
Downham Market
County
Norfolk
Local authority
Norfolk
District
King's Lynn and West Norfolk
Constituency
South West Norfolk
Urban/rural
Urban: Further from a major town or city

Local context

How this school sits among open establishments in its area, using official GIAS records. These are counts, not rankings.

Mixed academy sponsor led (secondary), Ages 11–18, in Downham Market, Norfolk, 1,329 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: sixth form, academy. Free school meals: 27%.

Open schools in Downham Market
6
Secondary schools in Downham Market
1
Academies among open schools in Downham Market
67% (4)
Open schools in PE38
6
Secondary in PE38
1
Open schools in Norfolk LA
464
Secondary in Norfolk LA
51

Nearby secondary schools

Open schools within about 3 miles, prioritising the same phase where possible. Distances are approximate from GIAS coordinates.

Compare with theseAll in Downham MarketNear PE38

  • Nelson Academy

    Ofsted: School remains Good

    Academy sponsor led · Primary

    Downham Market · PE38 9PF · Norfolk

    Ages 3–11

    • KS266%
    • Absence6.8%
    • FSM31.4%
    • Demand0.88

    0.6 miles away

  • Wimbotsham and Stow Academy

    Ofsted: School remains Good

    Academy converter · Primary

    King's Lynn · PE34 3QH · Norfolk

    Ages 3–11

    • KS254%
    • Absence5.5%
    • FSM10.0%
    • Demand1.00

    1.1 miles away

  • Orchard Manor School

    Other independent special school

    Nr King's Lynn · PE34 3HT · Norfolk

    Ages 5–16

    1.6 miles away

New to reading school data? See Ofsted ratings explained and how to compare schools.

Contact

Headteacher
Dr Natalie Paine
Telephone
01366389100
Website
https://dma.tela.org.uk/

Official links