Share:

Applying for a secondary school place in Norfolk

At the beginning of autumn term, Year 6 pupils and their parents will be looking ahead to the next step up towards secondary school. Although catchment rules apply to many schools in the county, there are different options open to each child.

Although most pupils end up applying to the school in their catchment area, there are some schools that do not operate designated areas and have a slightly different admissions policy. So, it is worth checking the admissions policy on each school’s website for further information. Similarly, if you are considering applying to a local independent school, it will have its own separate admissions procedure.

Catchment Areas - To find the designated school for your area visit

www.norfolk.gov.uk/admissions - Find your local catchment area

or www.maps.norfolk.gov.uk - school catchments

 

Applying to a school out of catchment area

When you fill in the application form you’ll be asked to list the schools you’re applying for in order of preference. You must apply for at least 3 schools. This is when you will be able to prioritise your child’s preferred school. Whether a place is offered will depend on the school’s admission process and if places are available.

Priority is always given to pupils who live within the catchment area of a school. If you have any questions contact the school directly or your local council.

 

Getting ready for Secondary School

Many primary schools are increasingly mindful about the transitional phase to high school, with teachers taking time to ensure that children know what to expect and are well-prepared for the move, with school visits, meet the teacher sessions and ‘step up’ days. You can also help in several ways:

Keep a note of all the dates for induction events and encourage your child to attend as many of these as possible.

Read the school’s most recent Ofsted reports - www.ofsted.gov.uk

Check the school league tables at www.compare-school-performance.service.gov.uk

Talk to other parents about what they think of the school.

Increase your child’s independence - you might trust them with solo trips to the letter box, or allow them to collect the take-away food from a local restaurant and show that you have confidence in them.

Stay positive about the school. Children need to be encouraged and know they have your support.

 

On this page you will find a guide to many of the schools across the county. Scroll down to read a general overview of each school and find out when the Open Days will be taking place.

 

The Application Process

Submit your application for a primary or secondary school place online. Once the online form has been submitted, an email receipt will confirm that the application has been received. Online applications can be changed right up to midnight on the closing date.

 

Norfolk County Council Applications:

Reception Applications:

The online system will be available from 28 September 2017 until midnight on 15 January 2018.

Junior School Applications:

The online system will be available from 8 November 2017 until midnight on 15 January 2018.

Secondary School Applications:

The online system will be available from 11 September 2017 until midnight on 31 October 2017.

Norfolk Contacts:

Education helpline: 0344 800 8020

Online applications: www.admissionsonline.norfolk.gov.uk

Email: admissions@norfolk.gov.uk

 

When can I expect a decision?

There are now set dates when school places are officially confirmed. These are:

1 March 2018 – Secondary Schools

18 April 2018 – Primary Schools

The results will be available for you to see online.

 

Attleborough Academy Norfolk

Attleborough Academy Norfolk is an inclusive, friendly and effective learning community with high aspirations and a reputation for innovation.

Excellent relationships between students and staff are at the heart of the ethos of the Academy and are often commented on by those who visit.

The Academy prides itself on its excellent pastoral support for pupils, which enables them to enjoy learning and achieve in an environment in which they feel safe and valued. Commitment, Acknowledgement, Respect and Excellence (CARE) runs throughout the school community, and the Academy aims to demonstrate these values in all aspects of its work.

Attleborough Academy Norfolk was rated as ‘Good’ by Ofsted in its last inspection in 2016. Principal Neil McShane and his team are committed to continuous improvement and have an outstanding teaching and support staff who genuinely care for the education and progress of all students.

The student roll has risen significantly over recent years and the Academy has worked creatively with its buildings to develop high quality teaching areas to accommodate this growth. There already exists a great spirit at the Academy and the impending growth of the town will ensure Attleborough Academy Norfolk will continue to be a thriving, dynamic and successful school.

Visit www.aan.norfolk.sch.uk or call 01953 452335

 

Beeston Hall School

Fred de Falbe, the Head of Beeston Hall School told Primary Times:

“Scarcely a day goes by without a news story about mental health and wellbeing, with society beginning to recognise the need to provide more for our children, as they grow up in a fast-changing and uncertain world. It is an irony that, however affluent Britain and the West becomes, our happiness quotients and satisfaction levels do not seem to change. Expectations grow, success is prized; the pressure simply seems to mount, self-imposed or otherwise. How best can we meet these challenges and prepare our children?

Enjoying school is the key! Watching children rush into school, full of enthusiasm for the day ahead, is the greatest pleasure, because this is the best ingredient for encouraging children to get involved. By doing this, children develop their confidence. The range of things to do (sport every day, activities from scouts to archery, bridge to shooting, philosophy to cooking or astronomy), besides academic preparation, means everyone has the chance to try things. In this, all children will encounter failure as well as success and how they tackle this, together, is as important and as valued as the run of scholarships of music grades that they also achieve.

The very best thing is that when children leave at the end of Year 8, they are old enough to appreciate and have real responsibility for their school, before the much larger scale environments beyond.”

Beeston Hall School’s Open Morning takes place on Saturday 14 October, 10am to 12pm or call to book a visit. Discover more about the scholarships (up to 20% of fees) with means-tested bursaries.

Visit www.beestonhall.co.uk or call 01263 837324

 

Broadland High School

Aron Whiles, Headteacher of Broadland High School, writes:

“We are very proud of our exceptional school and would like to invite you to visit us in person and to sample the excellent educational opportunities we offer. We are a friendly, caring community which gives students the support to grow and flourish as successful learners and confident young people.

I expect the very highest standards from all our students and we encourage them to do their very best in everything they do, whatever their ability or personal circumstances. Students are put at the heart of every decision that we make at Broadland, promoting independence so that they become resilient young people, ready to take on all the world has to offer them.

From the very first moment students make a decision to choose our school to the moment they take their first steps into further education or training, we offer a rich, cohesive curriculum and a supportive pastoral system that will lead students calmly and confidently into adult life.

We would like to invite you to join our successful school, once again judged as a ‘Good’ school by Ofsted in April 2016. We very much look forward to meeting you personally to explain the unique qualities that Broadland has to offer!”

The dates of the Open Days are: Thursday 5 October 2017 - 6.30pm – 8.30pm

Monday 9 October 2017 - 1.45pm – 2.45pm

Tuesday 10 October 2017 - 9.15am – 10.15am

For more details call 01603 782715 or go to www.broadland.norfolk.sch.uk

 

City Academy Norwich

First-time visitors to City Academy Norwich never fail to be impressed by its stunning new building, which welcomes you into a well-resourced library and the large atrium at the heart of the school. But City Academy Norwich is about so much more than its state of the art facilities and flexible learning spaces.

The Academy is proud of its strong links to its community and is working hard to become acknowledged as a good and then an outstanding school. Its highly committed teaching and support staff are focused on giving students the skills they need to have a happy and successful life, and the qualifications required for their future careers.

The Academy’s passion is to provide a personalised learning experience to enable students to achieve their full academic potential and grow as well-rounded individuals with the ability to make informed and positive choices about their futures.

This is achieved within a broad and balanced curriculum, in which students have access to the very latest in digital technology to enhance and improve their learning. Thanks to its excellent links with a wide range of partners, the Academy offers outstanding pastoral support for students and an array of exciting extra-curricular activities, trips and visits.

Visit www.cityacademynorwich.org or call 01603 452628

 

City of Norwich School

City of Norwich School, An Ormiston Academy is a secondary school and sixth form for 11 to 18 years olds on Eaton Road in Norwich. Known as CNS, the school was established in 1910 and has a long and prestigious history in Norfolk. CNS has a broad, balanced and enriching curriculum that will enable your child to grow in academic and creative depth, as well as happiness and confidence.

City of Norwich School’s motto 'Excellence in All' reflects its vision of achieving the very highest standards in everything it does, alongside a strong ethos of community and care.

The broad, balanced and enriching curriculum will enable your child to grow in academic and creative depth as well as confidence and happiness. The stimulating subject curriculum and diverse co-curricular opportunities will equip your child with the necessary skills to enable them to, assuredly, take their next steps towards a deeply rewarding life.

Students benefit from unique opportunities including a partnership with the London Guildhall School of Music and Drama and the Norfolk Music Hub. CNS is a direct licensed centre for the Duke of Edinburgh's Award scheme and runs many other award winning extra-curricular clubs.

The next open evening is Thursday 5 October 2017 from 5.30pm. Visit www.cns-school.org

 

Fakenham Academy, Norfolk

Fakenham Academy Norfolk offers an exciting blend of traditional academic strengths, which sees consistently high performance at GCSE and A Level, with an innovative and forward-thinking approach to learning. Following an extensive refurbishment of facilities on its Field Lane site over summer, the sixth form and academy are now co-located on the single site.

The school, which is rated as Good by Ofsted, has seen year on year improvements in results. Its students achieve well, and much better than in most schools or academies. English, mathematics and science form the core for all students work and they achieve significantly well in all these areas. For the past 10 years the sixth form (Fakenham Sixth Form) has had students regularly gaining places at Oxford or Cambridge Universities.

There is a strong ethos that all young people should experience education in its widest possible sense, including excellence in the classroom and in exams, opportunities for extra-curricular activities and a strong link with the local community. The Academy is rightly proud of its strong reputation for music, with regular high quality public performances by its young musicians, with students being equally accomplished when it comes to sport.

The Open Evening will take place on 27 September at 6.30pm

Find out more at www.fakenhamacademy.org.uk

 

Hethersett Old Hall School

Stephen Crump, Headmaster of Hethersett Old Hall School, writes:

“Choosing a school is one of the most important decisions parents face - perhaps even more daunting if it’s an independent school you are looking for. There are several good ones in the Norfolk and Norwich area, all with prospectuses and websites justifiably glowing with pride! So how do you choose? I believe it largely comes down to personal choice and instinct: after all, you know your own child best. But I can also say, with certainty, that what makes Hethersett Old Hall stand out from the crowd, is the individual nurturing pupils enjoy in our deliberately small classes, and the warm and caring community. This is always remarked upon by visitors and hugely valued by our families.

In the end, there is no substitute for visiting in person and having a close look at the schools you are considering. Visit when school’s in full swing if you can, and don’t be afraid to ask lots of questions, not just from the person showing you around and from the Head, but from other parents, pupils and teachers, too.”

Hethersett Old Hall School is for boys and girls from age 3 and girls only from Year 7. Early Years funding is accepted.

Call 01603 810390 or email enquiries@hohs.co.uk or visit www.hohs.co.uk

 

Hobart High School

Hobart High School is a popular, successful school that aims to provide a place where children feel happy, safe and supported while they pursue their studies and interests.

High standards are at the heart of the school. High quality teaching is in evidence throughout the school and students understand that the same diligence is expected from them. This helps them gain the level of academic success which will open as many doors as possible for them in the future.

Academic results are only part of the picture. Participating in and enjoying sport, music and drama are important elements of life at Hobart. They are often a gateway to incredibly satisfying personal achievements and career opportunities. Equally important are other enriching experiences; from trips, events, lunch clubs and involvement in local charity projects.

Students are encouraged to engage in how the school operates through Student Leadership and Voice. Through this they gain the skills of representing and negotiating change for their fellow students.

The aim is that every student should leave as a confident young adult able to pursue their chosen path to higher education or employment.

To visit or find out more contact 01508 520359 or office@hobart.org.uk

 

King Edward VII Academy

King Edward VII Academy believes that strength comes from togetherness. Students and staff work together to ensure that each individual plays a crucial part in the overall community of KES Academy and its successes.

The academy combines the unity of a traditional house system with exciting enrichment programmes, whilst maintaining an uncompromising focus upon individual academic success. Students are welcomed to carry on their studies through to sixth form education, with a support network of dedicated staff ready to help individuals realise their future career path and help them to pursue it.

The sports provision is a marker of the emphasis placed on developing well-rounded young adults. It also serves as a symbol of the academy’s wider aims – the pursuit of excellence in all things, pride in the academy, togetherness in everything, fair play and healthy competition.

KES Academy welcomes you to explore its facilities and see it at work at its upcoming Open Days:

Monday 18 September - 9.15am

Tuesday 19 September - 9.15am and 1.30pm

Wednesday 20 September - 9.15am and 1.30pm

Thursday 21 September - 9.15am

There is also an Open Evening on Monday 18 September at 6pm.

To book visit www.kesacademy.co.uk/opendays

 

Long Stratton High School

Dr Roger Harris, Headteacher at Long Stratton High School, told Primary Times:

“Long Stratton High School is a small secondary school based south of Norwich. The school is currently on a journey to become one of the best in Norfolk where pupils not only meet but exceed their abilities. Our team of staff are dedicated to academic success and the holistic wellbeing of our young people. We work closely with parents to develop young people who develop resilience and rise to the challenge of hard work. Our pupils are extremely proud of their school, which is a happy, safe and enjoyable place to learn.

We have recently become an Academy school within the newly formed ieTrust. Working in partnership with our partner schools enables us to provide a richer curriculum and draw upon more expertise to enhance young people’s education.

We look forward to welcoming you to our Open Evening on Tuesday 26 September 2017, where you will be able to see for yourself the great things that are happening at Long Stratton High School. Speeches will be given at 5.30pm and 6.30pm and guided tours will be led by our students throughout the evening”.

Visit www.lshs.org.uk or call 01508 530418

 

Norwich School

Norwich School is a co-educational, independent day school for pupils aged seven to eighteen. Set in the beautiful Cathedral Close, it is a traditional yet lively place where boys and girls enjoy a rounded and stimulating education.Norwich School achieves exceptional results with pupils consistently achieving the top grades in Norfolk for both GCSE and A-level.

But it believes that an education for life is about more than statistics. The school enjoys local character, beautiful surroundings and a remarkable history. Staff and pupils together create a supportive atmosphere and boys and girls benefit from specialised facilities and a broad curriculum.

Recently voted as one of the best schools in the country for the Arts, Norwich School offers numerous opportunities for children to excel in drama, dance and music.

Sport is a strong element of school life, with a focus on wanting individuals to be the best that they can be and encouraging them to find something that they can participate in for life. Norwich School competes in 21 different sports against other schools, with recent successes at a national level.

Financial help is available through bursaries and awards for excellence in six areas.

To find out more go to the Open Day on Saturday 23 September, 9.30am – 12.30pm. Register at www.openday.norwich-school.org.uk or call admissions on 01603 728449

 

University Technical College, Norfolk

University Technical Colleges are a new type of school, spanning from Year 10 to Year 13, that are specifically designed for young people who have a passion for science, technology engineering and maths (STEM). University Technical College Norfolk (UTCN), which is based on the edge of Norwich, near to Ipswich Road, offers a unique STEM-focused curriculum that you will not find anywhere else in the county.

UTCN aims to prepare students for fantastic opportunities to study engineering at leading universities, or to take up apprenticeships with some of the top British manufacturing, engineering and technology companies. Its students combine hands-on engineering study (BTEC Diploma) with core GCSEs and A Levels. This is supported by local employers such as KLM UK Engineering, Lotus Cars, Gardline and Future Marine Services, who regularly work with students on realistic engineering challenges and projects.

Opened in September 2014, equipped with over £1M of specialist engineering facilities, UTCN has already established an excellent reputation for the progression of its students. Year 13 leavers have an exceptional record of landing some of the most sought-after (and well-paid!) engineering Apprenticeships available, as well as places at leading universities. Go and see for yourself why UTCN is making a name for itself in developing tomorrow's engineering and technology specialists.

The Open Evening takes place on 28 September from 4.30pm to 7pm

For details visit www.utcn.org.uk

 

Wymondham College

Wymondham College is the largest State Boarding School in the country, educating around 650 boarders and a similar number of day students, set amongst 84 acres of rural Norfolk countryside.

The College secured ‘outstanding’ judgements from Ofsted in both the last education and boarding inspections and is one of the top 20 state secondary schools in the country. Beyond the academic school day over 70 regular weekly clubs and societies are available together with over 700 annual sporting fixtures, an active Cadets unit and the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme.

High quality education with first class facilities is free for day students and with boarding fees at just over £10,000 pa, Wymondham College offers a very attractive alternative to private schooling. Last summer 86% of GCSE students exceeded the Gold standard (A*-C including English and maths).

The wide range of activities beyond the classroom and the opportunity to build relationships and friendships through boarding is an attractive proposition. Even more attractive is that all of this is available at a fraction of the cost of boarding at independent schools.

If you would like a personal tour of the school do get in touch. Alternatively, visit www.wymondhamcollege.org for details on forthcoming boarder taster evenings and open mornings.