The Harleston Sancroft Academy (a 3-16 Church of England School)
86%
Capacity
837
Pupils
1.8x
Demand
About The Harleston Sancroft Academy (a 3-16 Church of England School)
The Harleston Sancroft Academy (a 3-16 Church of England School) is a state-funded Church of England secondary school serving the South Norfolk community, welcoming children from age 3 to 16. The school has 837 pupils on roll and is well-filled (86% of 973 places). Nursery provision is also available on site.
Ofsted has rated The Harleston Sancroft Academy (a 3-16 Church of England School) "Good", the school is led by headteacher Rob Connelly, it falls under Norfolk local authority.
In terms of academic performance, its Progress 8 score of +0.04 is above the national average. Additionally, Attainment 8 is solid at 47.3. Additionally, ranked 1432nd out of 3,141 schools in England. Additionally, 8th out of 9 in South Norfolk.
The Harleston Sancroft Academy (a 3-16 Church of England School) is a popular choice with families — it received 68 applications for 38 places, making it 1.8x oversubscribed. Of these, 39 were first-preference applications.
The Harleston Sancroft Academy (a 3-16 Church of England School) parent feedback on Ofsted Parent View is positive, with 75% recommending the school (161 responses).
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 6 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), Moderate Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional & Mental Health and 3 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at The Harleston Sancroft Academy (a 3-16 Church of England School) include Library, Playing Fields, Science Labs, Gymnasium, Sixth Form Centre, Astro Turf, Tennis Courts, Sports Hall, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Rugby, Football, Netball, Basketball and 2 more, as well as clubs including Debate, Science Club, Drama, Coding and 5 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 19.8%, which is close to the national average for secondary schools in England.
For families exploring secondary schools in South Norfolk, The Harleston Sancroft Academy (a 3-16 Church of England School) 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 | Secondary (State) |
| Age Range | 3 to 16 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Church of England |
| Address | Wilderness Lane, Harleston, South Norfolk, IP20 9DD |
| Headteacher | Rob Connelly |
| Local Authority | Norfolk |
| Number of Pupils | 837 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 19.8% |
| School Capacity | 837 / 973 (86% full) |
| Nursery Classes | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
24 Jun 2025Quality of Education
Good
Since Sep 2024, Ofsted no longer assigns a single overall grade
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 7 Sept 2025. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (+0.04)
1432nd of 3,141
Nationally
161st of 350
In East of England
8th of 9
In South Norfolk
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE Progress 8 data
GCSE Results
2023/24Progress 8 Score
Students make similar progress to students nationally with the same starting point
Attainment 8 (vs national avg)
Students achieve significantly higher grades than the national average
Source: Department for Education, 2023/24. Progress 8 compares to students with similar Key Stage 2 results.
Ofsted Parent View
161 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
9Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
15Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed38
68
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
39 families put this school as their 1st choice (57% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About The Harleston Sancroft Academy (a 3-16 Church of England School)
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
Understanding Progress 8
Learn how Progress 8 measures pupil progress from primary to GCSE
SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights
Understanding School Catchment Areas
How admission distances work and tips for maximising your choices
Contact Information
Wilderness Lane, Harleston
South Norfolk, IP20 9DD
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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