Thetford school Norwich Road Academy is rated good with outstanding feature by Ofsted

A primary school team is ‘thrilled’ with its Ofsted inspection result that recognises the hard work of staff and the efforts of the children.

Norwich Road Academy, in Thetford, secured ratings of good and outstanding across five areas following an inspection last month.

The personal development of pupils was judged to be outstanding while the quality of education, leadership and management, early years provision, and behaviour and attitudes of students all achieved good.

This is an improvement on the previous Ofsted inspection, which took place in 2022, which judged the school to be good in all areas apart from quality of education which was ‘requires improvement’.

The Ofsted report said the school, which transferred to Eastern Multi-Academy Trust in July 2018, had focused intensely on improving its educational offer since the previous inspection.

In highlights in the report, inspectors praised the ‘all-encompassing’ personal development provision, they said leaders and staff worked together to provide ‘interesting and memorable’ lessons, and pupils lived up to the high expectations for what they can achieve and how they behave.

In terms of support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), the report said the school was quick to identify the needs of these pupils and the curriculum was accessible to all pupils, including those with SEND.

Paul Shanks, chief executive of the Eastern Multi-Academy Trust, said: “We are thrilled for the Norwich Road Academy community. The staff work incredibly hard for the children, and we are pleased that Ofsted recognised this in their report.

“We were particularly pleased that inspectors recognised the hard work to support those children with SEND and that teachers are experts in teaching reading, which is the bedrock of all learning.

“This report is a testament to the incredible leadership of [principal] Mrs Miles and the efforts of the children, the Norwich Road team and the wider school community who are rightly proud of their school and its achievements.”

The Ofsted report said: ‘‘Pupils enjoy coming to school. This is because the school is a caring community. Pupils enjoy the friendly atmosphere in class and during social times. Staff build warm relationships with pupils. Pupils feel valued and safe.”

Norwich Road’s principal Julia Miles added: “We are all pleased that the inspection team evidenced the commitment of the staff here, in their work supporting children and in the high expectations that we have in all phases.

“I strongly believe that local schools should support their community, by providing a great education for our young people and enriching opportunities that will equip them for success in their life. This is our aim, and I am glad that the inspection team could recognise this in our work.”

Regarding provision for pupils’ personal development, inspectors said the school ‘expertly’ develops pupils’ talents and interests and supports them to contribute positively to the community, with many opportunities to develop leadership skills.

“A well-structured programme of personal, social, health, and economic (PSHE) education, alongside dedicated focus on relationships and health education, helps pupils to develop resilience and empathy,” the report said. “The school’s pastoral care system includes access to counselling and support services. This positively impacts pupils’ mental health and wellbeing.”

The report also says: pupils have access to a wide range of opportunities beyond the classroom; teaching and practice of rules, routines and manners underpins the school’s approach to encouraging good behaviour; and staff feel valued and supported.

Inspectors said the school had trained staff in how to teach subjects well and the trust provides them with expert curriculum support, however in a small number of subjects the curriculum needs further embedding.

Eastern Multi Academy Trust operates one secondary and seven primaries in West Norfolk and four primaries in Breckland.