Orchards Church of England Academy
95%
Capacity
401
Pupils
1.1x
Demand
About Orchards Church of England Academy
Orchards Church of England Academy is a state-funded Church of England primary school serving the Fenland community, welcoming children from age 2 to 11. The school has 401 pupils on roll and is near full capacity (95% of 420 places). Nursery provision is also available on site.
Ofsted has rated Orchards Church of England Academy "Good", the school is led by headteacher Damien Homden, it falls under Cambridgeshire local authority.
In terms of academic performance, 39% of pupils met the expected standard in Reading, Writing and Maths at KS2 — below the national average. Additionally, ranked 12602nd out of 13,686 schools in England. Additionally, 24th out of 28 in Fenland.
Orchards Church of England Academy is a popular choice with families — it received 36 applications for 34 places, making it 1.1x oversubscribed. Of these, 33 were first-preference applications.
Orchards Church of England Academy parent feedback on Ofsted Parent View is positive, with 83% recommending the school (52 responses).
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 8 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), Moderate Learning Difficulty, Severe Learning Difficulty and 5 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at Orchards Church of England Academy include Library, ICT Suite, Playing Fields, Music Rooms, Gymnasium, Sports Hall, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Cricket, Netball, Rounders, Athletics, as well as clubs including Science Club, Gardening, Coding, Book Club and 1 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 49.7%, which is well above the national average for primary schools in England.
For families exploring primary schools in Fenland, Orchards Church of England Academy is one of the options available in the East of England region. Use Classpot to compare it side-by-side with nearby alternatives and find the best fit for your child.
Key Details
| School Type | Primary (State) |
| Age Range | 2 to 11 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Church of England |
| Address | Cherry Road, Wisbech, Fenland, PE13 3NP |
| Headteacher | Damien Homden |
| Local Authority | Cambridgeshire |
| Number of Pupils | 401 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 49.7% |
| School Capacity | 401 / 420 (95% full) |
| Nursery Classes | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
19 Nov 2024Quality of Education
Good
Since Sep 2024, Ofsted no longer assigns a single overall grade
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 30 Jan 2025. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths (39%)
12602nd of 13,686
Nationally
1434th of 1,612
In East of England
24th of 28
In Fenland
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths data
KS2 SATs Results
2023/24Reading, Writing & Maths Combined
39%
Expected Standard
0%
Higher Standard
'22/23
26%
'23/24
39%
Source: Department for Education, 2023/24. National expected standard benchmark is around 65%.
Ofsted Parent View
52 responsesWould Recommend This School
Source: Ofsted Parent View (GOV.UK statistical data), Sep – Sep 2025
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
7Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
9Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed34
36
Balanced
Applications roughly match available places
33 families put this school as their 1st choice (92% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Orchards Church of England Academy
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
How to Choose a Primary School
Step-by-step guide to choosing the right primary school
KS2 SATs Explained
A parent's guide to Year 6 SATs and how results are reported
SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights
Contact Information
Cherry Road, Wisbech
Fenland, PE13 3NP
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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