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OpenOfsted: Some aspects not as strongURN 121256

Fred Nicholson School

Foundation special school · Swaffham · PE37 7BB

Ages 3–19 · 195 pupils · Norfolk

School website

Ofsted

Some aspects not as strong

Overall absence

9.7%

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

Some aspects not as strong

Inspection date

2025-05-14

Source: Ofsted monthly management information

Performance

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

Key stage 4 (2023/24)

Key stage 2 (2023/24)

Expected standard (RWM)0%
Higher standard (RWM)0%

Source: DfE school and college performance tables

Absence

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

Overall absence9.7%
Persistent absence (10%+)27.2%
Unauthorised2.1%
Authorised absence
7.6%
Severe absence (50%+)
4.3%
Enrolments in measure
184

Absence trend

2021/22

2022/23

2023/24

  • Overall
  • Persistent (10%+)

Source: DfE pupil absence in schools in England

Size & intake

From the GIAS school census (15 Jan 2026).

Capacity fill87%

195 pupils · 224 places

Pupils on roll
195
Boys / girls
116 / 79
School capacity
224
Capacity fill
195 / 224 (87%)
Free school meals
58%
FSM pupils
105
Gender
Mixed
School type
Foundation special school

Age range

Ages 3–19

05111619

Provision

Official GIAS characteristics

2 / 6

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

School characteristics

Special classes
Has Special Classes
Governance
Supported by a trust
Headteacher
Mrs Heidi Philpott

Location

Address
77 Lynn Road
Postcode
PE37 7BB
Town
Swaffham
Local authority
Norfolk
District
Breckland
Constituency
South West Norfolk
Urban/rural
Larger rural: Further from a major town or city

SEN & specialist provision

As recorded in GIAS — provision detail, not an Ofsted judgement.

SEN types
SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty; VI - Visual Impairment; HI - Hearing Impairment; SLCN - Speech, language and Communication; ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder; SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health; MSI - Multi-Sensory Impairment; PD - Physical Disability; MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty; SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty; PMLD - Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty
Special classes
Has Special Classes
Resourced provision
Resourced provision and SEN unit
Resourced places
0 on roll / 0 capacity
SEN unit places
19 on roll / 19 capacity

Local context

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

Mixed foundation special school, Ages 3–19, in Swaffham, Norfolk, 195 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: sixth form, special school. Free school meals: 58%. SEN provision includes: SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty; VI - Visual Impairment; HI - Hearing Impairment….

Open schools in Swaffham
7
Academies among open schools in Swaffham
43% (3)
Open schools in PE37
7
Open schools in Norfolk LA
464

Nearby schools

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

Compare with theseAll in SwaffhamNear PE37

Contact

Headteacher
Mrs Heidi Philpott
Telephone
01362693915
Website
http://www.frednicholson.norfolk.sch.uk

Official links