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Valley Primary Academy

Norwich, NR5 8XZPrimaryAges 5–11MixedState
Ofsted Rating
Requires Improvement
Jun 2023
KS2 Results
No data
Competition
1.0×
Not oversubscribed
14 1st-choice / 14 places
Ranking
Not ranked

About Valley Primary Academy

Valley Primary Academy in Norwich is a smaller-than-average state primary, with 162 pupils against a capacity of 210, meaning it has room to grow. The school serves a notably high-needs community: 43.2% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the national average of around 23% and significantly higher than the Norfolk local authority average for primary schools. Demand for places is strong — for the 2025/26 intake, the school received 23 applications for just 14 places, with all 14 first-preference applicants offered a spot, giving an oversubscription ratio of 1.64. This suggests a local reputation that outweighs its current Ofsted rating. The school is mixed, non-denominational, and does not offer nursery or boarding provision, so it caters strictly to families of children aged 5 to 11 who are looking for a community-focused primary within Norwich.

Key Details

School TypePrimary (State)
Age Range5 to 11 years
GenderMixed
AddressGentry Place, Norwich, Norwich, NR5 8XZ
HeadteacherSara Bush
Local AuthorityNorfolk
Number of Pupils162
Free School Meals (FSM)43.2%
School Capacity162 / 210 (77% full)

Ofsted Inspection Breakdown

6 Jun 2023
View Report
Overall Effectiveness
Requires improvement
Quality of Education
Requires improvement
Behaviour & Attitudes
Good
Personal Development
Good
Leadership & Management
Good
Early Years Provision
Good

Source: Ofsted, 13 Sept 2023. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.

Facilities

7
Playing FieldsICT SuiteDining HallSensory RoomGymnasiumSports HallLibrary

Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.

Extracurriculars

10

Sports

NetballRoundersDanceSwimmingAthletics

Clubs & Activities

CodingChoirScience ClubDramaArt Club

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

SEND Support

AutismDyslexiaMental HealthSpeech & LanguageLearning DifficultyOther

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About Valley Primary Academy

Valley Primary Academy has been rated "Requires Improvement" by Ofsted. This means the school is not yet good, but inspectors believe it can improve with the right support and changes.