Great Yarmouth Primary Academy and Nursery

About Great Yarmouth Primary Academy and Nursery

Great Yarmouth Primary Academy and Nursery is a state-funded mixed primary school in Norfolk that serves children from age 2 to 11. With 420 pupils on roll against a capacity of 472, the school is not at full capacity, yet demand for places is strong. For the 2025/26 intake, the school received 67 applications for 49 places, making it officially oversubscribed with a ratio of 1.37 applicants per place. Of those, 40 families listed it as their first preference, and all 40 received offers. The school’s intake is notably diverse in socioeconomic terms: 58.1% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, a figure well above the national average for primary schools and reflective of the local area’s higher-than-average deprivation levels. The school also operates a nursery provision, which feeds into the main school and helps families transition early. Headteacher Garry Russon leads a school that has clearly become a popular choice among local parents, despite not being at maximum capacity.

Academically, the school’s most recent Ofsted inspection in 2021 rated it Good overall, a significant improvement from its previous Inadequate rating in 2018. Leadership and management were judged Outstanding, while quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and early years provision all received Good marks. In the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 assessments, 48% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared to the Norfolk local authority average of 52%. The school’s maths scores were stronger: 73% of pupils met the expected standard in maths, with an average scaled score of 104, and 9% achieved the higher standard. Reading results were lower, with 48% at expected and 18% at the higher level. Writing saw 64% at expected but no pupils reaching the higher standard. Nationally, the school ranks in the bottom 50% of primaries, sitting at the 82nd percentile, and 21st out of 27 schools in the Great Yarmouth local area.

The school offers a practical range of facilities including a library, gymnasium, forest school, music rooms, outdoor playground and a chapel. Sports provision covers athletics, swimming, rounders and netball, while clubs include book club, gardening, drama and choir. For families with children who have additional needs, the school lists a broad set of SEND provisions, including support for specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, moderate learning difficulties, social, emotional and mental health needs, speech and language communication needs, hearing impairment, physical disability, autistic spectrum disorder and other difficulties. This makes it a viable option for parents seeking an inclusive mainstream setting. Given its oversubscribed status and strong local demand, families considering this school should apply early and list it as a first preference to maximise their chances. It suits families who value a school with strong leadership, a clear improvement trajectory, and a comprehensive approach to supporting diverse needs.

Key Details

Frequently Asked Questions About Great Yarmouth Primary Academy and Nursery

Helpful Guides for Parents