Classpot

Downham Market Academy

King's Lynn and West Norfolk, PE38 9LLSecondaryAges 11–18MixedState
Ofsted Rating
Good
Apr 2022
Progress 8
-0.06
Below average
−20+2
Competition
1.1×
Oversubscribed
242 1st-choice / 219 places
Ranking
#1,659
of 3,141 nationally

About Downham Market Academy

Downham Market Academy’s Progress 8 score of -0.06 places it slightly below the Norfolk local authority average of -0.02 for secondary schools, meaning pupils here make marginally less academic progress than their peers across the county. That said, the score sits within the ‘Average’ banding nationally, and the school ranks 3rd out of 7 schools in the King’s Lynn and West Norfolk area, putting it in the upper half of its immediate local competition. The gap is small enough that it shouldn’t alarm parents, but it’s worth noting that the school’s overall attainment is a mixed bag: the Attainment 8 score of 43.3 is respectable, yet the English Progress 8 figure of -0.21 is notably weaker than maths (0.01) and EBacc subjects (0.00). This suggests English provision may be an area the school is working on, while maths and humanities hold steady.

Key Details

School TypeSecondary (State)
Age Range11 to 18 years
GenderMixed
Religious CharacterNone
AddressBexwell Road, Downham Market, King's Lynn and West Norfolk, PE38 9LL
HeadteacherNatalie Paine
Local AuthorityNorfolk
Number of Pupils1,333
Free School Meals (FSM)25.8%
School Capacity1,333 / 1,567 (85% full)
Sixth FormYes

The full report on this school

The inspection in plain English, admissions context, and how this school compares to nearby alternatives — all in one full school report.

  • Ofsted inspection in plain English
    Strengths, concerns and what inspectors flagged
  • Parent View survey results
    What parents told Ofsted — when the school has 10+ responses
  • Where Ofsted and parents disagree
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  • Admissions & catchment
    Admission criteria, distance cutoffs (where the LA publishes them)
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  • Attendance & behaviour data
    Persistent absentees, suspensions and exclusions vs national
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Ofsted Inspection Breakdown

26 Apr 2022
View Report
Overall Effectiveness
Good
Quality of Education
Good
Behaviour & Attitudes
Good
Personal Development
Good
Leadership & Management
Good
Sixth Form Provision
Good

Source: Ofsted, 21 Jun 2022. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.

Facilities

12
LibraryMusic RoomsGymnasiumSwimming PoolICT SuiteTheatreTennis CourtsSports HallDining HallScience LabsPlaying FieldsSixth Form Centre

Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.

Extracurriculars

18

Sports

NetballFootballGymnasticsCross CountryRugbyDanceHockeyBadmintonCricketSwimming

Clubs & Activities

CodingArt ClubYoung EnterpriseBook ClubDramaChoirModel United NationsDebate

Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.

SEND Support

AutismDyslexiaMental HealthSpeech & LanguageHearingVisionPhysicalLearning DifficultySevere Learning

Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.

School day

Verified

Teaching hours

08:55 – 15:05

Source: dma.tela.org.uk. Extracted automatically — confirm with the school before relying on these times.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Downham Market Academy

Downham Market Academy has been rated "Good" by Ofsted. This means the school provides a good standard of education and effectively supports all pupils to succeed.