Diss High School

Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed · Sixth form

Part of ENRICH LEARNING TRUST

Walcot Road, Diss, IP22 4DH

01379 642424 · School website · Map and directions

OfstedGoodInspected 26 February 2014; confirmed 2024
Grade 5 or above in English and maths45%England 45% · 2024/25
26th highest of 53 state secondary schools in Norfolk.
Higher than 52% of 3,259 state secondary schools in England.
Pupils877Room for 1,200 Pupil numbers in January of each year: 963 in 2019, 933 in 2021, 919 in 2022, 948 in 2023, 941 in 2024, 918 in 2025, 877 in 2026. Across England, secondary state school pupil numbers were up 10% from 2019 to 2025.
First-choice applications per place1.0128 for 133 places, September 2026
31st highest of 52 state secondary schools in Norfolk.
Higher than 52% of 3,219 state secondary schools in England.

Ofsted inspection

Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 26 February 2014.

This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.

AreaGrade
Quality of educationGood
Outcomes for pupilsGood
Leadership and managementGood

Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 14 March 2024: Ofsted found the school was still Good.

Read the full Ofsted reports for this school

Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.

What parents say

163 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 1 January 2024 and 6 January 2025.

Norfolk comparisons use the 28 of its 55 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 27 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.

StatementThis schoolNorfolkEngland
My child is happy at this school
19th highest of 28 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Norfolk.
Higher than 33% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
77% 81% 88%
My child feels safe at this school
Joint 22nd highest of 28 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Norfolk.
Higher than 23% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
75% 84% 90%
The school makes sure pupils are well behaved
23rd highest of 28 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Norfolk.
Higher than 23% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
63% 76% 84%
Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 75 parents whose child had been bullied
17th highest of 27 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Norfolk.
Higher than 27% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
41% 47% 50%
Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 133 parents who had raised a concern
Joint 16th highest of 28 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Norfolk.
Higher than 40% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
67% 69% 76%
I would recommend this school to another parent
Joint 17th highest of 28 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Norfolk.
Higher than 39% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
75%said yes 77% 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. Norfolk figures pool parents at the Norfolk 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.

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Results

GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25

145 pupils in this year group.

45% — about the same as the Norfolk average, and about the same as the England average.

MeasureThis schoolNorfolkEngland
Grade 5 or above in English and maths 45% 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. 46.6 45.2 46.1
EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. 4.2 4.0 4.1
Grade 5 or above in English and maths, over time
30% 40% 50% 60% England 2022/23: 45%England 2023/24: 46%England 2024/25: 45% This school 2022/23: 46%This school 2023/24: 41%This school 2024/25: 45% This school England 45% 2022/23 46% 2023/24 41% 2024/25 45%

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.

157 pupils in this year group.

92% — about the same as the Norfolk average, and about the same as the England average.

Where pupils went after Year 11
This school 49%34%
England 34%13%37%
MeasureThis schoolNorfolkEngland
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. 92% 92% 92%
School sixth form 49% 33% 34%
Sixth form college 0% 7% 13%
Further education college 34% 43% 37%
Apprenticeship 4% 4% 3%
Work 3% 4% 3%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
97%92%

Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.

A levels (16 to 18), 2024/25

63 A level students in this year group.

MeasureThis schoolNorfolkEngland
Average A level grade C C+ B-
A level exams graded A* or A 9% 24% 26%
A level exams graded A* to B 47% 51% 53%
Average points per A level entryAn A* is 60 points, an A is 50, a B is 40, and so on down to 10 for an E. 30.7 33.6 35
Average points per A level entry, over time
25 30 35 40 England 2022/23: 34.2England 2023/24: 34.4England 2024/25: 35 This school 2022/23: 29.1This school 2023/24: 31.6This school 2024/25: 30.7 This school England 35 2022/23 29.1 2023/24 31.6 2024/25 30.7

A level subjects, 2024/25

21 subjects, 141 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.

SubjectExamsA*A* or AEngland A* or A
Psychology 15 0% 7% 19%
Physical Education / Sports Studies 14 0% 7% 17%
Mathematics 13 0% 8% 40%
Media/Film/Tv Studies 12 0% 0% 14%
Biology 11 0% 9% 27%
English Literature 10 0% 0% 23%
Geography 10 10% 20% 23%
Chemistry 7 0% 0% 30%
Physics 7 0% 14% 31%
Sociology 6 0% 0% 20%

Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Computer Studies / Computing, English Language and Literature, Film Studies, Classical Civilisation, History, Art and Design (Fine Art), Spanish, French, Government and Politics, Mathematics (Further), Music.

Source: DfE 16 to 18 qualification and subject data, 2024/25.

Source: DfE 16 to 18 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.

After sixth form

Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.

60 students in this year group.

83% — 5 points above the Norfolk average, and 4 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolNorfolkEngland
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. 83% 78% 79%
Apprenticeship 8% 8% 7%
Work 27% 36% 28%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
89%83%

Source: DfE 16 to 18 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.

Going on to university

Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.

102 students in this year group.

54% — 2 points above the Norfolk average, and 6 points below the England average.

MeasureThis schoolNorfolkEngland
Went on to a degree or other higher education 54% 52% 60%
Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. 12% 13% 19%

Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time

2023/242024/25
61%54%

Source: DfE 16 to 18 progression to higher education or training, 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 about one first-choice application for every place.

Places offered133
Families who put it first128
Of those, offered a place128 (100%)
Families who listed it at all164

First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.0 · 2025: 0.9 · 2026: 1.0

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.

Admissions dates and schools in Norfolk

Pupils, staff and SEND

PupilsThis schoolNorfolkEngland
Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years
31st highest of 54 state secondary schools in Norfolk.
Higher than 43% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
24.6% 25.5%* 28.9%
With an education, health and care plan
52nd highest of 54 state secondary schools in Norfolk.
Higher than 18% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
1.6% 4.3%* 3.1%
Receiving special educational needs support
43rd highest of 54 state secondary schools in Norfolk.
Higher than 21% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
9.8% 14.1%* 13.4%
English as an additional language
Joint 21st highest of 54 state secondary schools in Norfolk.
Higher than 46% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
10.8% 12.2%* 19.2%
Overall absence (sessions missed)
34th lowest of 53 state secondary schools in Norfolk.
Lower than 30% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
9.6% 8.9%* 8.4%
Persistently absent (missed 10% or more)
29th lowest of 53 state secondary schools in Norfolk.
Lower than 44% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
24.6% 23.4%* 23.4%
Suspensions per 100 pupils
45th lowest of 54 state secondary schools in Norfolk.
Lower than 22% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
31.8 21.3 21.2
Pupils suspended at least once
32nd lowest of 54 state secondary schools in Norfolk.
Lower than 43% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
7.5% 6.8% 7.3%
Pupils permanently excluded3 pupils 0.33% 0.32% 0.23%
Pupils per teacher
51st highest of 54 state secondary schools in Norfolk.
Higher than 15% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England.
14.9 17.7 16.7
Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff)
23rd highest of 54 state secondary schools in Norfolk.
Higher than 64% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
12.4 11.9 11.8
Teachers who left during the year
12th highest of 54 state secondary schools in Norfolk.
Higher than 64% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England.
16.0% 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.

Questions parents ask

What is Diss High School's Ofsted rating?

Diss High School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 26 February 2014. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 14 March 2024, Ofsted found the school was still Good.

How did Diss High School do in its GCSEs?

In 2024/25, 45% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, about the same as the England average of 45%.

Would parents recommend Diss High School?

75% of the 163 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 1 January 2024 and 6 January 2025 said they would recommend Diss High School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.

Is Diss High School oversubscribed?

For the September 2026 intake, 128 families put Diss High School as their first choice for 133 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 128 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.

Sources

Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.

Page updated 26 September 2026.