Acle Church of England Primary Academy

About Acle Church of England Primary Academy

Acle Church of England Primary Academy was rated Good in its most recent graded Ofsted inspection in 2015, and a subsequent ungraded inspection in 2019 confirmed the school remains Good. This marks a clear improvement from its previous inspection in 2013, when it was judged to require improvement. The most telling exam metric for this primary school is the proportion of pupils reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, which stood at 41% in the 2023/24 academic year. That figure is notably below the Norfolk local authority average of 52%, placing the school 203rd out of 344 primary schools in the county. In the Broadland district specifically, it ranks 31st out of 35 schools on this measure, putting it in the bottom half of local primaries.

Looking at individual subjects, the picture is mixed. In reading and maths, 62% of pupils met the expected standard, with average scaled scores of 103 in both subjects. Writing was slightly lower, with 59% reaching the expected level. At the higher standard, 21% of pupils achieved greater depth in maths and 17% in reading, but no pupils reached the higher standard in writing or in the combined measure. The school’s Progress 8 scores are not available, so it is difficult to assess how much value the school adds relative to pupils’ starting points. Nationally, the school ranks in the bottom 10% of all primaries on the combined expected standard metric, which is a significant consideration for parents prioritising academic outcomes.

The school offers a range of facilities including music rooms, an ICT suite, a sensory room, playing fields and a chapel, reflecting its Church of England foundation. Sports provision includes swimming, netball, cricket and athletics, while clubs cover drama, art, choir, eco club, coding and gardening. The school has a well-developed SEND offer, with provisions for specific learning difficulties, moderate learning difficulties, social and emotional mental health needs, speech and language communication needs, hearing impairment, physical disability and autistic spectrum disorder. For the 2025/26 intake, the school was oversubscribed: 38 applications were received for 23 places, with all 23 first-preference applicants offered a place. This suggests strong local demand, particularly from families who value the school’s inclusive ethos and broad extracurricular offer, though the academic results may give pause to those focused on high attainment.

Key Details

Frequently Asked Questions About Acle Church of England Primary Academy

Helpful Guides for Parents