SchoolScoresDownham Market Academy
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed · Sixth form
Part of EASTERN LEARNING ALLIANCE
Bexwell Road, Downham Market, PE38 9LL
01366 389100 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 26 April 2022.
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 | Good |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Personal development | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Sixth form | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
201 pupils in this year group.
35% — 10 points below the Norfolk average, and 10 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Norfolk | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 35% | 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. | 43.8 | 45.2 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 3.9 | 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.
174 pupils in this year group.
90% — 2 points below the Norfolk average, and 2 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. | 90% | 92% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 26% | 33% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 2% | 7% | 13% |
| Further education college | 48% | 43% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 6% | 4% | 3% |
| Work | 6% | 4% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 94% | 90% |
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
36 A level students in this year group.
| Measure | This school | Norfolk | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average A level grade | C+ | C+ | B- |
| A level exams graded A* or A | 16% | 24% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 42% | 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. | 32.5 | 33.6 | 35 |
A level subjects, 2024/25
18 subjects, 97 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
| Subject | Exams | A* | A* or A | England A* or A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Psychology | 16 | 0% | 6% | 19% |
| Sociology | 10 | 0% | 10% | 20% |
| History | 8 | 0% | 13% | 23% |
| Geography | 7 | 14% | 14% | 23% |
| Mathematics | 7 | 14% | 43% | 40% |
| Chemistry | 6 | 0% | 0% | 30% |
| Government and Politics | 6 | 17% | 50% | 26% |
Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Economics, Drama and Theatre Studies, English Language, Film Studies, Physical Education / Sports Studies, Physics, Art and Design (Fine Art), Mathematics (Further), Biology, English Literature, 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.
46 students in this year group.
89% — 11 points above the Norfolk average, and 10 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Norfolk | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. | 89% | 78% | 79% |
| Apprenticeship | 9% | 8% | 7% |
| Work | 35% | 36% | 28% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 94% | 89% |
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.
46 students in this year group.
54% — 2 points above the Norfolk average, and 6 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Norfolk | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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. | 11% | 13% | 19% |
Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 60% | 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 offered | 193 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 175 |
| Of those, offered a place | 175 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 248 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.2 · 2025: 1.1 · 2026: 0.9
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 22nd highest of 54 state secondary schools in Norfolk. Higher than 49% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 26.9% | 25.5%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 30th highest of 54 state secondary schools in Norfolk. Higher than 69% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 3.8% | 4.3%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 30th highest of 54 state secondary schools in Norfolk. Higher than 49% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 13.7% | 14.1%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 35th highest of 54 state secondary schools in Norfolk. Higher than 29% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 6.3% | 12.2%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 26th lowest of 53 state secondary schools in Norfolk. Lower than 38% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 9.0% | 8.9%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 26th lowest of 53 state secondary schools in Norfolk. Lower than 46% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 24.3% | 23.4%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 30th lowest of 54 state secondary schools in Norfolk. Lower than 35% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 21.5 | 21.3 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 21st lowest of 54 state secondary schools in Norfolk. Lower than 53% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 6.4% | 6.8% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded4 pupils | 0.30% | 0.32% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher Joint 48th highest of 54 state secondary schools in Norfolk. Higher than 21% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 15.3 | 17.7 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) Joint 24th highest of 54 state secondary schools in Norfolk. Higher than 61% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 12.3 | 11.9 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 2nd highest of 54 state secondary schools in Norfolk. Higher than 92% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 26.0% | 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 Downham Market Academy's Ofsted rating?
Downham Market Academy was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 26 April 2022.
How did Downham Market Academy do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 35% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 10 points below the England average of 45%.
Is Downham Market Academy oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 175 families put Downham Market Academy as their first choice for 193 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 175 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 145196.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25, A levels 2024/25, After sixth form 2024/25, Going on to university 2024/25.
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Page updated 26 September 2026.