The Open Academy
75%
Capacity
560
Pupils
2.4x
Demand
About The Open Academy
The Open Academy is a state-funded Church of England secondary school serving the Norwich community, welcoming children from age 11 to 19. The school has 560 pupils on roll, operating at 75% capacity.
Ofsted has rated The Open Academy "Good", the school is led by headteacher Daniel Bagshaw, it falls under Norfolk local authority.
In terms of academic performance, its Progress 8 score of -0.46 is below the national average. Additionally, Attainment 8 is developing at 34.9. Additionally, sixth form students achieve an average A-Level grade of D-. Additionally, ranked 2543rd out of 3,141 schools in England. Additionally, 7th out of 8 in Norwich.
The Open Academy is a popular choice with families — it received 240 applications for 100 places, making it 2.4x oversubscribed. Of these, 110 were first-preference applications.
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 7 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), Social, Emotional & Mental Health, Speech, Language & Communication and 4 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at The Open Academy include Art Studios, Library, Gymnasium, Theatre, Swimming Pool, Astro Turf, Chapel, Sixth Form Centre.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Rugby, Football, Cross Country, Badminton and 6 more, as well as clubs including DofE, Model UN, Drama, Newspaper and 3 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 39.4%, which is well above the national average for secondary schools in England.
For families exploring secondary schools in Norwich, The Open 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 | Secondary (State) |
| Age Range | 11 to 19 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Church of England |
| Address | Salhouse Road, Norwich, Norwich, NR7 9DL |
| Headteacher | Daniel Bagshaw |
| Local Authority | Norfolk |
| Number of Pupils | 560 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 39.4% |
| School Capacity | 560 / 750 (75% full) |
| Sixth Form | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
28 Mar 2023Overall Effectiveness
Good
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 23 May 2023. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (-0.46)
2543rd of 3,141
Nationally
295th of 350
In East of England
7th of 8
In Norwich
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE Progress 8 data
GCSE Results
2023/24Progress 8 Score
Students make less progress than similar students nationally
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.
A-Level Results
2023/24Average Points per Entry
Value Added Score
Best 3 A-Levels (Average)
'21/22
27.3
'22/23
16.7
'23/24
15.6
Source: Department for Education 16-18 Performance Tables, 2023/24. Value Added measures progress compared to students with similar GCSE results.
SEND Support
SEN UnitSource: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
8Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
17Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed100
240
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
110 families put this school as their 1st choice (46% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About The Open Academy
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
Salhouse Road, Norwich
Norwich, NR7 9DL
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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