Norfolk’s best secondary schools 2026
Trying to find the right school for your child in Norfolk? You’re in the right place.
With so many options, many parents find themselves drowning in league tables and Ofsted reports. That’s exactly why we’ve done the heavy lifting for you. Our expert team has analysed the latest 2024/2025 Department for Education data to bring you a list of the top-performing state secondary schools in Norfolk.
We show two ranking tables, one for Progress 8 and one for GCSE 9–7 results, and also provide a complete list of all secondary schools in Norfolk. This full list includes Progress 8 scores, GCSE 9–7 percentages, and Ofsted ratings where available. The schools in this table are ordered alphabetically rather than ranked, so you can easily see every school in one place, even if some data points are missing.
Examiner-written GCSE revision resources that improve your grades 2x
- Written by expert teachers and examiners
- Aligned to exam specifications
- Everything you need to know, and nothing you don’t

Top secondary schools in Norfolk by GCSE % 9–7
Norwich School in Norwich is currently ranked #1 in Norfolk based on the percentage of GCSE grades awarded at 9–7. This measure highlights how many pupils achieve the very top exam results, giving a clear picture of each school’s academic excellence.
| Rank | School name | Type | Gender | Progress 8 | GCSE 9-7% | Ofsted ᐧ Quality of education | Ofsted ᐧ Behaviour & attitudes | Ofsted ᐧ Personal development | Ofsted ᐧ Leadership & management |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Norwich School | Other independent school | Mixed | - | 76.1% | - | - | - | - |
| 2 | Norwich High School for Girls GDST | Other independent school | Girls | - | 58.1% | - | - | - | - |
| 3 | Gresham's School | Other independent school | Mixed | - | 54.1% | - | - | - | - |
| 4 | Hethersett Academy | Academy sponsor led | Mixed | - | 45.6% | - | - | - | - |
| 5 | Notre Dame High School, Norwich | Academy converter | Mixed | - | 41.9% | Good | Good | Outstanding | Good |
| 6 | Thetford Grammar School | Other independent school | Mixed | - | 39% | - | - | - | - |
| 7 | Jane Austen College | Free schools | Mixed | - | 36.1% | Outstanding | Outstanding | Outstanding | Outstanding |
| 8 | City of Norwich School, An Ormiston Academy | Academy converter | Mixed | - | 26.1% | - | - | - | - |
| 9 | Long Stratton High School | Academy sponsor led | Mixed | - | 25.8% | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| 10 | Wymondham High Academy | Academy converter | Mixed | - | 24.5% | - | - | - | - |
| 11 | University Technical College Norfolk | University technical college | Mixed | - | 24.4% | Good | Outstanding | Good | Good |
| 12 | Framingham Earl High School | Academy converter | Mixed | - | 22.9% | - | - | - | - |
| 13 | Taverham High School | Academy converter | Mixed | - | 22.2% | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| 14 | Hewett Academy | Academy sponsor led | Mixed | - | 21.7% | Good | Good | Outstanding | Good |
| 15 | Sheringham High School | Academy converter | Mixed | - | 21% | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| 16 | Wayland Academy | Academy converter | Mixed | - | 21% | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| 17 | Ormiston Venture Academy | Academy sponsor led | Mixed | - | 20.6% | Outstanding | Outstanding | Outstanding | Outstanding |
| 18 | Dereham Neatherd High School | Academy converter | Mixed | - | 20.2% | Requires improvement | Good | Good | Good |
| 19 | Thorpe St Andrew School and Sixth Form | Academy converter | Mixed | - | 20.2% | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| 20 | Cromer Academy | Academy converter | Mixed | - | 20.1% | - | - | - | - |
| 21 | Langley School | Other independent school | Mixed | - | 19.8% | - | - | - | - |
| 22 | Sprowston Community Academy | Academy sponsor led | Mixed | - | 19.5% | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| 23 | Acle Academy | Academy converter | Mixed | - | 18.5% | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| 24 | Springwood High School | Academy converter | Mixed | - | 18.4% | - | - | - | - |
| 25 | St Clement's High School | Academy sponsor led | Mixed | - | 18.4% | - | - | - | - |
| 26 | Caister Academy | Academy sponsor led | Mixed | - | 18% | - | - | - | - |
| 27 | King Edward VII Academy | Academy sponsor led | Mixed | - | 18% | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| 28 | Broadland High Ormiston Academy | Academy converter | Mixed | - | 17.8% | - | - | - | - |
| 29 | Diss High School | Academy converter | Mixed | - | 16.3% | - | - | - | - |
| 30 | OneSchool Global UK - Swaffham Campus | Other independent school | Mixed | - | 16.1% | - | - | - | - |
| 31 | Hobart High School | Academy converter | Mixed | - | 16% | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| 32 | Alderman Peel High School | Academy converter | Mixed | - | 15.3% | Good | Good | Outstanding | Good |
| 33 | Aylsham High School | Foundation school | Mixed | - | 15.1% | - | - | - | - |
| 34 | North Walsham High School | Academy converter | Mixed | - | 15.1% | Good | Good | Good | Outstanding |
| 35 | Marshland High School | Academy sponsor led | Mixed | - | 14.4% | - | - | - | - |
| 36 | Ormiston Victory Academy | Academy sponsor led | Mixed | - | 13.6% | Good | Good | Outstanding | Good |
| 37 | Downham Market Academy | Academy sponsor led | Mixed | - | 13.5% | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| 38 | Lynn Grove Academy | Academy converter | Mixed | - | 12.9% | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| 39 | The Thetford Academy | Academy sponsor led | Mixed | - | 12.5% | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| 40 | Reepham High School and College | Academy converter | Mixed | - | 12.1% | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| 41 | Northgate High School | Academy converter | Mixed | - | 11.4% | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| 42 | King's Lynn Academy | Academy sponsor led | Mixed | - | 10.8% | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| 43 | The Harleston Sancroft Academy (a 3-16 Church of England School) | Academy converter | Mixed | - | 10.8% | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| 44 | Flegg High Ormiston Academy | Academy converter | Mixed | - | 10.6% | Requires improvement | Good | Good | Good |
| 45 | Sewell Park Academy | Academy sponsor led | Mixed | - | 10.5% | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| 46 | Attleborough Academy | Academy converter | Mixed | - | 10.3% | - | - | - | - |
| 47 | Iceni Secondary Academy | Academy sponsor led | Mixed | - | 10.3% | Requires improvement | Good | Good | Good |
| 48 | The Open Academy | Academy sponsor led | Mixed | - | 10.1% | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| 49 | Cliff Park Ormiston Academy | Academy sponsor led | Mixed | - | 9.8% | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| 50 | Old Buckenham High School | Academy converter | Mixed | - | 9.7% | - | - | - | - |
| 51 | Smithdon High School | Academy sponsor led | Mixed | - | 9.7% | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| 52 | Hellesdon High School | Academy converter | Mixed | - | 9.6% | Good | Requires improvement | Good | Good |
| 53 | Great Yarmouth Charter Academy | Free schools | Mixed | - | 9.2% | - | - | - | - |
| 54 | Fakenham Academy | Academy sponsor led | Mixed | - | 8.1% | - | - | - | - |
| 55 | Stalham High School | Academy sponsor led | Mixed | - | 8.1% | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| 56 | Litcham School | Academy converter | Mixed | - | 7.6% | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| 57 | All Saints School | Other independent special school | Mixed | - | 7.3% | - | - | - | - |
| 58 | City Academy Norwich | Academy sponsor led | Mixed | - | 7.3% | Requires improvement | Requires improvement | Requires improvement | Good |
| 59 | The Nicholas Hamond Academy | Academy sponsor led | Mixed | - | 7% | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| 60 | The Wherry School | Free schools special | Mixed | - | 6.4% | Good | Good | Outstanding | Good |
| 61 | Sheridan House School | Other independent special school | Mixed | - | 4.3% | - | - | - | - |
| 62 | Aurora Eccles School | Other independent special school | Mixed | - | 1.5% | - | - | - | - |
| 63 | Acorn Park School | Other independent special school | Mixed | - | 0% | - | - | - | - |
| 64 | Fen Rivers Academy | Academy special sponsor led | Mixed | - | 0% | Requires improvement | Good | Good | Good |
| 65 | Include School Norfolk | Other independent school | Mixed | - | 0% | - | - | - | - |
| 66 | Westfield House School | Other independent special school | Mixed | - | 0% | - | - | - | - |
Note: Rankings use 2024/2025 CSP data for state-funded schools and may not reflect recent changes, check school websites for the latest information.
All secondary schools in Norfolk
Below is the complete list of secondary schools in Norfolk, including both state-funded and independent schools where data is available. This table provides an at-a-glance view of each school’s key performance metrics, including Progress 8 scores, the percentage of GCSE grades awarded at 9–7, and Ofsted ratings, where published.
| School name | Type | Gender | Progress 8 | GCSE 9-7% | Ofsted ᐧ Quality of education | Ofsted ᐧ Behaviour & attitudes | Ofsted ᐧ Personal development | Ofsted ᐧ Leadership & management |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acle Academy | Academy converter | Mixed | - | 18.5% | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| Acorn Park School | Other independent special school | Mixed | - | 0% | - | - | - | - |
| Alderman Peel High School | Academy converter | Mixed | - | 15.3% | Good | Good | Outstanding | Good |
| All Saints School | Other independent special school | Mixed | - | 7.3% | - | - | - | - |
| Attleborough Academy | Academy converter | Mixed | - | 10.3% | - | - | - | - |
| Aurora Eccles School | Other independent special school | Mixed | - | 1.5% | - | - | - | - |
| Aurora White House School | Other independent special school | Mixed | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Avocet House | Other independent special school | Mixed | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Aylsham High School | Foundation school | Mixed | - | 15.1% | - | - | - | - |
| Banks House School | Other independent special school | Mixed | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Beeston Hall School | Other independent school | Mixed | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Broadland High Ormiston Academy | Academy converter | Mixed | - | 17.8% | - | - | - | - |
| Bure Park Specialist Academy | Free schools special | Boys | - | - | Good | Good | Outstanding | Outstanding |
| Caister Academy | Academy sponsor led | Mixed | - | 18% | - | - | - | - |
| Chapel Green School | Foundation special school | Mixed | - | - | Good | Outstanding | Outstanding | Outstanding |
| Churchill Park Complex Needs School | Academy special converter | Mixed | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| City Academy Norwich | Academy sponsor led | Mixed | - | 7.3% | Requires improvement | Requires improvement | Requires improvement | Good |
| City of Norwich School, An Ormiston Academy | Academy converter | Mixed | - | 26.1% | - | - | - | - |
| Cliff Park Ormiston Academy | Academy sponsor led | Mixed | - | 9.8% | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| Community-Ed Academy | Other independent special school | Mixed | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Compass Community School Eld Park | Other independent special school | Mixed | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Cromer Academy | Academy converter | Mixed | - | 20.1% | - | - | - | - |
| Dereham Neatherd High School | Academy converter | Mixed | - | 20.2% | Requires improvement | Good | Good | Good |
| Diss High School | Academy converter | Mixed | - | 16.3% | - | - | - | - |
| Downham Market Academy | Academy sponsor led | Mixed | - | 13.5% | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| Duke of Lancaster School | Free schools special | Mixed | - | - | Requires improvement | Good | Good | Good |
| Eaton Hall Specialist Academy | Academy special converter | Boys | - | - | Good | Outstanding | Outstanding | Good |
| Fakenham Academy | Academy sponsor led | Mixed | - | 8.1% | - | - | - | - |
| Fen Rivers Academy | Academy special sponsor led | Mixed | - | 0% | Requires improvement | Good | Good | Good |
| Flegg High Ormiston Academy | Academy converter | Mixed | - | 10.6% | Requires improvement | Good | Good | Good |
| Framingham Earl High School | Academy converter | Mixed | - | 22.9% | - | - | - | - |
| Fred Nicholson School | Foundation special school | Mixed | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Future Education | Other independent special school | Mixed | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Glebe House School | Other independent school | Mixed | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Great Yarmouth Charter Academy | Free schools | Mixed | - | 9.2% | - | - | - | - |
| Gresham's School | Other independent school | Mixed | - | 54.1% | - | - | - | - |
| Hall School | Foundation special school | Mixed | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Harford Manor School, Norwich | Foundation special school | Mixed | - | - | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| Hellesdon High School | Academy converter | Mixed | - | 9.6% | Good | Requires improvement | Good | Good |
| Hethersett Academy | Academy sponsor led | Mixed | - | 45.6% | - | - | - | - |
| Hewett Academy | Academy sponsor led | Mixed | - | 21.7% | Good | Good | Outstanding | Good |
| Hobart High School | Academy converter | Mixed | - | 16% | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| Iceni Secondary Academy | Academy sponsor led | Mixed | - | 10.3% | Requires improvement | Good | Good | Good |
| Include School Norfolk | Other independent school | Mixed | - | 0% | - | - | - | - |
| Jane Austen College | Free schools | Mixed | - | 36.1% | Outstanding | Outstanding | Outstanding | Outstanding |
| John Grant School, Caister-on-Sea | Foundation special school | Mixed | - | - | Good | Outstanding | Good | Good |
| King Edward VII Academy | Academy sponsor led | Mixed | - | 18% | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| King's Lynn Academy | Academy sponsor led | Mixed | - | 10.8% | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| Kingsbrook School | Other independent special school | Mixed | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Langley Preparatory School At Taverham Hall | Other independent school | Mixed | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Langley School | Other independent school | Mixed | - | 19.8% | - | - | - | - |
| Litcham School | Academy converter | Mixed | - | 7.6% | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| Long Stratton High School | Academy sponsor led | Mixed | - | 25.8% | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| Lynn Grove Academy | Academy converter | Mixed | - | 12.9% | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| Marshland High School | Academy sponsor led | Mixed | - | 14.4% | - | - | - | - |
| North Walsham High School | Academy converter | Mixed | - | 15.1% | Good | Good | Good | Outstanding |
| Northgate High School | Academy converter | Mixed | - | 11.4% | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| Norwich High School for Girls GDST | Other independent school | Girls | - | 58.1% | - | - | - | - |
| Norwich School | Other independent school | Mixed | - | 76.1% | - | - | - | - |
| Norwich Steiner School | Other independent school | Mixed | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Notre Dame High School, Norwich | Academy converter | Mixed | - | 41.9% | Good | Good | Outstanding | Good |
| Novaturient School | Other independent special school | Mixed | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Old Buckenham High School | Academy converter | Mixed | - | 9.7% | - | - | - | - |
| OneSchool Global UK - Swaffham Campus | Other independent school | Mixed | - | 16.1% | - | - | - | - |
| Orchard Manor School | Other independent special school | Mixed | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Ormiston Venture Academy | Academy sponsor led | Mixed | - | 20.6% | Outstanding | Outstanding | Outstanding | Outstanding |
| Ormiston Victory Academy | Academy sponsor led | Mixed | - | 13.6% | Good | Good | Outstanding | Good |
| Ortus Education Ltd - West Raynham School | Other independent special school | Mixed | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Red Balloon - Norwich | Other independent school | Mixed | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Red Balloon Educational Trust-Norfolk | Other independent special school | Mixed | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Reepham High School and College | Academy converter | Mixed | - | 12.1% | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| Sewell Park Academy | Academy sponsor led | Mixed | - | 10.5% | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| Sheridan House School | Other independent special school | Mixed | - | 4.3% | - | - | - | - |
| Sheringham High School | Academy converter | Mixed | - | 21% | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| Sheringham Woodfields School | Foundation special school | Mixed | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Sidestrand Hall School | Foundation special school | Mixed | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Smithdon High School | Academy sponsor led | Mixed | - | 9.7% | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| Springwood High School | Academy converter | Mixed | - | 18.4% | - | - | - | - |
| Sprowston Community Academy | Academy sponsor led | Mixed | - | 19.5% | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| St Andrew's School | Other independent special school | Mixed | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| St Clement's High School | Academy sponsor led | Mixed | - | 18.4% | - | - | - | - |
| Stalham High School | Academy sponsor led | Mixed | - | 8.1% | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| Taverham High School | Academy converter | Mixed | - | 22.2% | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| The Clare School | Foundation special school | Mixed | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| The Damara School | Other independent special school | Mixed | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| The Harleston Sancroft Academy (a 3-16 Church of England School) | Academy converter | Mixed | - | 10.8% | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| The Nicholas Hamond Academy | Academy sponsor led | Mixed | - | 7% | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| The Open Academy | Academy sponsor led | Mixed | - | 10.1% | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| The Parkside School, Norwich | Foundation special school | Mixed | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| The Stables Independent School | Other independent special school | Mixed | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| The Thetford Academy | Academy sponsor led | Mixed | - | 12.5% | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| The Wherry School | Free schools special | Mixed | - | 6.4% | Good | Good | Outstanding | Good |
| Thetford Grammar School | Other independent school | Mixed | - | 39% | - | - | - | - |
| Thorpe St Andrew School and Sixth Form | Academy converter | Mixed | - | 20.2% | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| Town Close Co-Educational Preparatory School | Other independent school | Mixed | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Turnstone House School | Other independent special school | Mixed | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| University Technical College Norfolk | University technical college | Mixed | - | 24.4% | Good | Outstanding | Good | Good |
| Wayland Academy | Academy converter | Mixed | - | 21% | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| Westfield House School | Other independent special school | Mixed | - | 0% | - | - | - | - |
| Wymondham High Academy | Academy converter | Mixed | - | 24.5% | - | - | - | - |
Disclaimer
All data on this page is sourced from the Department for Education’s 2024/2025 Compare School Performance dataset. It includes state-funded and, where available, independent secondary schools. Please note that Progress 8 scores were not published by the DfE for the 2024/25 academic year, as this cohort did not have Key Stage 2 prior attainment data due to pandemic-related assessment cancellations.
Some schools may also be missing data for GCSE 9–7 results or Ofsted ratings due to unpublished or unavailable figures. Rankings are based only on schools with published data and may not reflect recent changes. Please check school websites for the latest information.
How we ranked the best schools in Norfolk?
Why trust our rankings? Our analysis is based on the latest 2024/2025 data from the Department for Education’s Compare School Performance (CSP) database, which publishes official performance data for all secondary schools in England, including both state-funded and independent schools where available.
We’ve created separate tables to highlight top performers in three key areas:
- Progress 8 (pupil progress from KS2 to GCSE)
- GCSE 9–7 grades (academic excellence)
- Overall school listings, with available Ofsted ratings
Schools are primarily ranked by their Progress 8 score. This clever metric doesn’t just reward schools with high-attaining intakes – it highlights the ones that genuinely support student growth by measuring progress from the end of primary school to GCSEs. It adjusts for prior attainment, making it one of the fairest ways to compare schools.
Where available, we also show the percentage of GCSE grades at 9–7 to reflect high academic achievement, and Ofsted ratings for added context. All figures come directly from CSP’s official dataset.
Where Progress 8 data is not available for any schools in Norfolk, the corresponding table will not be shown. This simply means that no schools in this area had published Progress 8 scores at the time of the latest dataset, it does not reflect on the quality of the schools themselves.
How to support your child at home
Helping your child succeed at school doesn’t just happen in the classroom, the right support at home can make a big difference. Encourage a regular study routine, provide a quiet space for learning, and take an interest in what they’re covering in lessons. Even small actions, like checking in on homework or discussing what they learned that day, can build motivation and accountability.
If you’re looking for extra structure, our GCSE Revision Resources are designed to make studying easier. With expert-written notes, topic-by-topic exam questions, and mark schemes, your child can practise exactly what they need to know, when they need to know it.
Boosting confidence before exams
Confidence can make a huge difference to exam performance. Start by helping your child identify their strengths and weaknesses, then focus revision time on areas that need improvement. Practising under timed conditions can reduce exam-day nerves, while celebrating small wins along the way builds self-belief.
Our GCSE Exam Practice pages include hundreds of past-paper style questions and worked solutions, so students can walk into their exams knowing exactly what to expect. By building familiarity with the question styles and formats, they’ll feel prepared and ready to perform at their best.
Was this top schools page helpful?
Explore the best secondary schools in other counties
Share this article





