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OpenSecondaryOfsted: GoodURN 136204

The Thetford Academy

Academy sponsor led · Thetford · IP24 1LH

Ages 11–19 · 1,398 pupils · Norfolk

School website

Ofsted

Good

Attainment 8

38.9

Overall absence

10.2%

Admissions demand

0.97 · Balanced demand

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

Good

Inspection date

2020-03-04

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+0.04
−20+2
Attainment 838.9
English & maths grade 5+39%
English & maths grade 4+53%
EBacc entry17%

EBacc APS: 3.4

Source: DfE school and college performance tables

Absence

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

Overall absence10.2%
Persistent absence (10%+)30.9%
Unauthorised6.1%
Authorised absence
4.0%
Severe absence (50%+)
5.4%
Enrolments in measure
1,260

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

0.97 · Balanced demand

1st preferences

270

Places offered

282

1st-preference offers

270

Total preferences (any rank)
303
Preferred offers (top 3)
278
Applications from outside LA
5
Offers to outside-LA applicants
0
Admissions policy (GIAS)
Non-selective

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 fill68%

1,398 pupils · 2,050 places

Pupils on roll
1,398
Boys / girls
707 / 691
School capacity
2,050
Capacity fill
1,398 / 2,050 (68%)
Free school meals
31.5%
FSM pupils
401
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Gender
Mixed
School type
Academy sponsor led

Age range

Ages 11–19

05111619

Provision

Official GIAS characteristics

3 / 6

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

School characteristics

Special classes
Has Special Classes
Governance
Academy trust: INSPIRATION TRUST
Academy trust
INSPIRATION TRUST
Sponsor
Inspiration Trust
Headteacher
Dr Michael Fordham

Location

Address
Croxton Road
Postcode
IP24 1LH
Town
Thetford
County
Norfolk
Local authority
Norfolk
District
Breckland
Constituency
South West Norfolk
Urban/rural
Urban: Further from a major town or city

SEN & specialist provision

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

SEN types
OTH - Other Difficulty/Disability; ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder; SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health; MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty
Special classes
Has Special Classes
Resourced provision
Resourced provision
Resourced places
25 on roll / 25 capacity

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 11–19, in Thetford, Norfolk, 1,398 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: sixth form, academy, special school, non-selective admissions. Free school meals: 31.5%. SEN provision includes: OTH - Other Difficulty/Disability; ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder; SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health….

Open schools in Thetford
27
Secondary schools in Thetford
3
Academies among open schools in Thetford
70% (19)
Open schools in IP24
17
Secondary in IP24
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 ThetfordNear IP24

  • Drake Primary School

    Ofsted: Needs attention

    Community school · Primary

    Thetford · IP24 1JW · Norfolk

    Ages 4–11

    • KS253%
    • Absence4.9%
    • FSM12.3%
    • Demand1.28

    0.4 miles away

  • Admirals Academy

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy sponsor led · Primary

    Thetford · IP24 2JT · Norfolk

    Ages 7–11

    • KS254%
    • Absence5.5%
    • FSM25.4%

    0.4 miles away

  • Raleigh Infant Academy

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy sponsor led · Primary

    Thetford · IP24 2JT · Norfolk

    Ages 3–7

    • Absence6.2%
    • FSM11.2%
    • Demand0.78

    0.4 miles away

  • Norwich Road Academy

    Ofsted: Not judged

    Academy sponsor led · Primary

    Thetford · IP24 2HT · Norfolk

    Ages 3–11

    • KS259%
    • Absence5.9%
    • FSM28.7%
    • Demand0.89

    0.8 miles away

  • The Damara School

    Other independent special school

    Thetford · IP24 2EA · Norfolk

    Ages 5–16

    1.1 miles away

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

Contact

Headteacher
Dr Michael Fordham
Telephone
01842754875
Website
https://www.thethetfordacademy.org

Official links