Classpot

The Nicholas Hamond Academy

Breckland, PE37 7DZSecondaryAges 11–18MixedState
Ofsted Rating
Good
Dec 2021
Progress 8
-0.55
Well below average
−20+2
Competition
0.9×
Not oversubscribed
134 1st-choice / 155 places
Ranking
#2,681
of 3,141 nationally

About The Nicholas Hamond Academy

The Nicholas Hamond Academy in Breckland is a mixed secondary school with a sixth form, currently educating 683 pupils against a capacity of 840, leaving around a fifth of its spaces unfilled. Its intake reflects a notably high level of disadvantage: 30.3% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the national average for secondary schools. Despite this, the school is oversubscribed for 2025/26, receiving 165 applications for 155 places, with 134 first-preference offers made. This suggests strong local demand, even as the school operates below its physical capacity. The headteacher, Mark Woodhouse, leads a school that has seen a significant turnaround since its previous Ofsted inspection in 2017, when it was rated Requires Improvement across the board. In its most recent graded inspection, in December 2021, the school achieved a Good rating overall, with all assessed categories — quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management — each judged Good.

Key Details

School TypeSecondary (State)
Age Range11 to 18 years
GenderMixed
Religious CharacterNone
AddressBrandon Road, Swaffham, Breckland, PE37 7DZ
HeadteacherMark Woodhouse
Local AuthorityNorfolk
Number of Pupils683
Free School Meals (FSM)30.3%
School Capacity683 / 840 (81% 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
    Gaps to probe + questions to ask at the open day
  • Admissions & catchment
    Admission criteria, distance cutoffs (where the LA publishes them)
  • Nearby schools compared
    Backup options with Ofsted, demand and distance
  • Attendance & behaviour data
    Persistent absentees, suspensions and exclusions vs national
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Ofsted Inspection Breakdown

2 Dec 2021
View Report
Overall Effectiveness
Good
Quality of Education
Good
Behaviour & Attitudes
Good
Personal Development
Good
Leadership & Management
Good

Source: Ofsted, 30 Jan 2022. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.

Facilities

9
Music RoomsTheatreTennis CourtsLibraryAstro TurfScience LabsArt StudiosSixth Form CentreICT Suite

Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.

Extracurriculars

18

Sports

FootballCross CountryMartial ArtsRugbyBadmintonCricketDanceNetballSwimmingRowing

Clubs & Activities

ChoirOrchestraGardeningCodingBook ClubDramaDuke of EdinburghModel United Nations

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

SEND Support

AutismDyslexiaMental HealthSpeech & LanguageVisionLearning DifficultyMulti-Sensory

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Nicholas Hamond Academy

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