SchoolScoresCity Academy Norwich
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 19 · Mixed · Sixth form
Part of SAPIENTIA EDUCATION TRUST
299 Bluebell Road, Norwich, NR4 7LP
School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Requires improvement at the inspection that started on 18 June 2024.
This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Requires improvement |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Requires improvement |
| Personal development | Requires improvement |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
62 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 2 April 2024 and 7 April 2025.
Norwich comparisons use the 11 of its 23 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 12 have no published Parent View results (Ofsted only publishes a survey once at least 10 parents answer) or used Ofsted's newer questions, which we don't compare with the older ones.
| Statement | This school | Norwich | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school 9th highest of 11 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Norwich. Higher than 31% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 76% | 82% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school 9th highest of 11 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Norwich. Higher than 27% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 77% | 86% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 8th highest of 11 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Norwich. Higher than 29% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 68% | 76% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 30 parents whose child had been bullied 7th highest of 11 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Norwich. Higher than 24% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 40% | 48% | 51% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 51 parents who had raised a concern 7th highest of 11 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Norwich. Higher than 45% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 69% | 70% | 76% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 8th highest of 11 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Norwich. Higher than 38% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 74%said yes | 78% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families. Figures are the share who agree or strongly agree. England figures are all parents answering the same questions over the same period, for state-funded schools. Norwich figures pool parents at the Norwich schools compared, from each school's latest survey, so survey dates differ between schools. The scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) agreement, and the dot marks this school among state schools of the same phase that used the same survey questions. The third it falls in is coloured: green for the top third, amber the middle, red the bottom. This survey used Ofsted's previous Parent View questions, which changed in November 2025. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
135 pupils in this year group.
30% — 15 points below the Norfolk average, and 16 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Norfolk | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 30% | 45% | 45% |
| Attainment 8 scoreAverage of each pupil's grades across 8 GCSE-level subjects, with English and maths counted twice. Around 50 means grade 5s on average. | 35.2 | 45.2 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 2.9 | 4.0 | 4.1 |
Progress 8 isn't shown. DfE didn't publish it for 2024/25 because this year group's key stage 2 tests in 2020 were cancelled, and older progress scores aren't comparable.
Source: DfE key stage 4 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
After Year 11
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
123 pupils in this year group.
87% — 5 points below the Norfolk average, and 5 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Norfolk | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 87% | 92% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 10% | 33% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 0% | 7% | 13% |
| Further education college | 70% | 43% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 2% | 4% | 3% |
| Work | 2% | 4% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 79% | 87% |
Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Admissions
Apply through the council where you live, even if the school is in a different council area. This school is in Norfolk. The national closing date for secondary applications is 31 October, and offers are sent on 1 March.
How hard is it to get in?
For the September 2026 intake there were fewer first-choice applications than places.
| Places offered | 124 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 99 |
| Of those, offered a place | 99 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 187 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.8 · 2025: 0.9 · 2026: 0.8
This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2026 intake.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Norfolk | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 1st highest of 23 state secondary schools in Norwich. Higher than 92% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 53.7% | 25.5%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 5th highest of 23 state secondary schools in Norwich. Higher than 90% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 5.7% | 4.3%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 2nd highest of 23 state secondary schools in Norwich. Higher than 97% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 26.1% | 14.1%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 4th highest of 23 state secondary schools in Norwich. Higher than 71% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 22.7% | 12.2%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 21st lowest of 22 state secondary schools in Norwich. Lower than 10% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 11.7% | 8.9%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 21st lowest of 22 state secondary schools in Norwich. Lower than 25% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 28.4% | 23.4%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 23rd lowest of 23 state secondary schools in Norwich. Lower than 3% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 94.9 | 21.3 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 23rd lowest of 23 state secondary schools in Norwich. Lower than 5% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 19.2% | 6.8% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded8 pupils | 1.17% | 0.32% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher Joint 18th highest of 23 state secondary schools in Norwich. Higher than 27% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 15.7 | 17.7 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 23rd highest of 23 state secondary schools in Norwich. Higher than 1% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 7.9 | 11.9 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 8th highest of 23 state secondary schools in Norwich. Higher than 38% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 11.4% | 11.8%* | 14.2%* |
Comparisons are with secondary schools. Scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) figures. For absence and suspensions lower is better, so their scales run green to red; blue scales describe the school's pupils and staff and aren't good or bad. * Calculated by SchoolScores from the council's or England's schools, weighted by pupils (or teachers, for turnover); other figures are published by DfE. Sources: DfE school census 2024/25; DfE pupil absence 2024/25; DfE suspensions and permanent exclusions 2024/25; DfE school workforce census 2025/26; DfE teacher turnover 2024/25.
Nearby secondary schools
- Norwich High School for Girls GDST 1.3 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 46% A*/A at A level
- City of Norwich School, An Ormiston Academy 1.6 miles · Ofsted: Good (2016), confirmed 2021 · 53% grade 5+ English and maths
- Town Close Co-Educational Preparatory School 1.6 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
- Nurture Education Trust 1.6 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
- Sir Isaac Newton Sixth Form Free School 1.8 miles · Ofsted: Not yet inspected · B average A level grade
- Jane Austen College 1.9 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2024) · 64% grade 5+ English and maths
- Hewett Academy 2.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 47% grade 5+ English and maths
- Notre Dame High School, Norwich 2.1 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 69% grade 5+ English and maths
- Ormiston Victory Academy 2.2 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 45% grade 5+ English and maths
- Norwich School 2.2 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 52% A*/A at A level
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is City Academy Norwich's Ofsted rating?
City Academy Norwich was rated Requires improvement by Ofsted at its inspection in 18 June 2024.
How did City Academy Norwich do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 30% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 16 points below the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend City Academy Norwich?
74% of the 62 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 2 April 2024 and 7 April 2025 said they would recommend City Academy Norwich to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is City Academy Norwich oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 99 families put City Academy Norwich as their first choice for 124 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 99 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 135904.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 2 April 2024 to 7 April 2025.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.