SchoolScoresHethersett Academy
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 16 · Mixed
Part of INSPIRATION TRUST
Queen's Road, Hethersett, Norwich, NR9 3DB
01603 810924 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Outstanding at the inspection that started on 12 January 2016.
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 | Outstanding |
| Outcomes for pupils | Outstanding |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Outstanding |
| Leadership and management | Outstanding |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 28 September 2022: Ofsted found the school was still Outstanding.
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
223 pupils in this year group.
71% — 26 points above the Norfolk average, and 26 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Norfolk | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 71% | 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. | 59 | 45.2 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 5.7 | 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.
195 pupils in this year group.
95% — 3 points above the Norfolk average, and 3 points above 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. | 95% | 92% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 50% | 33% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 0% | 7% | 13% |
| Further education college | 41% | 43% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 2% | 4% | 3% |
| Work | 3% | 4% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 95% | 95% |
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 about one first-choice application for every place.
| Places offered | 279 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 293 |
| Of those, offered a place | 269 (92%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 568 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.1 · 2025: 1.1 · 2026: 1.1
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 21st highest of 23 state secondary schools in Norwich. Higher than 15% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 14.5% | 25.5%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 11th highest of 23 state secondary schools in Norwich. Higher than 74% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 4.1% | 4.3%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 13th highest of 23 state secondary schools in Norwich. Higher than 54% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 14.3% | 14.1%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 11th highest of 23 state secondary schools in Norwich. Higher than 47% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 11.1% | 12.2%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 5th lowest of 22 state secondary schools in Norwich. Lower than 73% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 7.0% | 8.9%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 3rd lowest of 22 state secondary schools in Norwich. Lower than 85% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 15.2% | 23.4%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 5th lowest of 23 state secondary schools in Norwich. Lower than 67% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 8.9 | 21.3 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 3rd lowest of 23 state secondary schools in Norwich. Lower than 87% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 2.5% | 6.8% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded1 pupil | 0.08% | 0.32% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 11th highest of 23 state secondary schools in Norwich. Higher than 71% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 17.8 | 17.7 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 10th highest of 23 state secondary schools in Norwich. Higher than 58% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 12.2 | 11.9 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 23rd highest of 23 state secondary schools in Norwich. Higher than 0% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 0.0% | 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 Hethersett Academy's Ofsted rating?
Hethersett Academy was rated Outstanding by Ofsted at its inspection in 12 January 2016. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 28 September 2022, Ofsted found the school was still Outstanding.
How did Hethersett Academy do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 71% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 26 points above the England average of 45%.
Is Hethersett Academy oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 293 families put Hethersett Academy as their first choice for 279 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 269 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 140188.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- 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.